Biosecurity Commons^™

Clover, Bluegreen Aphid And Red Legged Mite Screening, Medicago Murex Evaluation, D J. Gillespie

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Clover scorch: In spite of poor seasonal conditions, adequate levels of clover scorch developed in the test plots to readily identify susceptible clovers. Of the 333 introductions tested, 23% scored 3.0 or less indicating a high level of resistance. Bluegreen aphid screening: Two hundred and twenty four randomly selected subterranean clovers from all Western Mediterranean collections were tested for resistance to BGA in Nov/Dec of 1983. The susceptibility of annual legumes to Bluegreen aphid. Red legged earth mite screening: Results of two preliminary experiments to develop techniques for mass screening for RLEM resistance in subterranean clover were reported last year. …

Investigations Of Ryegrass Toxicity., Brian A. Stynes.

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Control of spray topping, 82KA28. Emergence of nematode larvae from galls, 82KA29, 82NA33, 82M019. Effects of long term cropping, 81KA57. Long term effects of spray topping, 81KA58. Development of toxicity, 81KA47, 81NA47, 81M047.

Beating Soursob, J R. Peirce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

No abstract provided.

The European Wasp : A New Threat To W.A, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The European wasp was detected in Western australia for the first time in January and February 1977 in the metropolitan suburbs of Mosman Park, Cottesloe and Attadale.

So far it has only been found within an area of 8 km radius from Fremantle but the outer boundries of the infestation are still uncertain.

It is Department of agriculture policy to eradicate the European wasp, if possible, and to destroy all nests detected.

A New Approach To Grain Insect Control, G D. Rimes, M. T. Sexton

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Western Australian farmers now have a legal responsibility to control stored grain insects on their farms.

Ten species of insects, usually referred to collectively as 'weevils', have been 'declared' under the Agriculture and Related Resources Act.

In Western Australia, grain storage insects are not found in standing cereal crops. Thus, it should be possible to set up a clean delivery "pipeline" from the paddock to the C.B.H. bin.

W.A. Alert For Aphid On Lucerne, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The spotted alfalfa aphid which is devastating lucerne crops in the Eastern States, could be introduced to Western Australia on lucerne hay which is fed en route to imported livestock. The Department of Agriculture has therefore alerted all inspection points about the possible danger.

The Department of Agricultureis maintaining traps specifically for the aphid, and has found no evidence of it yet.

Ryegrass Disease Could Spread, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The disease annual ryegrass toxicity kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected annual ryegrass. In Western Australia the first confirmed outbreak was in 1968 in the Gnowangerup area.

The disease has noe spread over a range of 450 kilometres and with a total area of perhaps 100 000 hectares. because annual ryegrass is the major sown pasture grass in W.A. the disease could spread throughout the South-West.

There are some precautions that can be taken.

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

Fruit Fly Control In Table Grapes, Western Australian Department Of Agriculture

Viticulture factsheets

Fruit fly can be a major pest for commercial table grape growers and may result in serious financial loss if adequate control measures are not taken. Unless a concentrated effort is made by all growers, fruit fly will remain a problem.

New Laboratory For Virus Disease Studies, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Exotic diseases continually pose a threat to Australia's animal industries and the consequences of major outbreak could be disastrous.

If an outbreak should occur, it is essential that clinical diagnosis is confirmed without delay for control measures to be effective.

The completion of the new Virology Laboratory provides a building in which most exotic viral diseases could be handled with safety for diagnostic purposes in the event of an outbreak.

Bulletin No 3861 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1972, J. R. Mcalpine, R. H. Gunn, P. Jakobsen, R. Wetselaar, J. J. Basinski, N. J. Thomson, A. G. L. Wilson, D. H. Mackenzie, A. J. Millington, D. F. Beech, P. C. Owen, B. G. Williams, C. G. Blunt, A. Mcr Holm

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The systematic investigations of the potential of the Ord area for irrigated farming began during the Second World War when the possibilities of damming the river were first examined, initial soil survey was carried out, and agricultural experiments started. The Kimberley Research Station was established on its present site in 1945. A year later the State and Commonwealth Governments agreed to finance and operate the Station jointly, with CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture being responsible for research.

The construction of the main dam designed to store 5,675 million m" ( 4.6 million acre feet) was completed in …

Sorghum Midge : Threat To Re-Cycle Cropping, D G. Shedley

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

SORGHUM midge is one of the most widespread and persistent pests of any crop, Under suitable conditions, the midge can halve the yield of grain sorghum crops.

Rural Radio Reports - Animals And Birds Declared Vermin, A R. Tomlinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Animals and birds are declared vermin by the Agriculture Protection Board if they are a threat to primary industry.

Quarantine : Two New Inspection Centres Built, C R. Chambers

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A BIGGER population, a busier State; more travellers, more goods from more places; faster, more frequent transport—these things have demanded for Western Australia greater efforts to protect its primary industries from the chance introduction of disease and pests which could attack our plants and animals.

Identification Of Seeds Of Undesirable Weeds, J R. Peirce

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

PREVENTING the introduction of weeds to a farm is a far cheaper proposition compared to the expensive and laborious process of eradicating a well established infestation.

Unfortunately most weeds establish themselves as plants before they are identified, the main reason being farmers are often unable to recognise weeds in the seed stage.

The Protection Of Primary Production : The Role Of The Agriculture Protection Board Of Western Australia, A R. Tomlinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE main function of the Agriculture Protection Board of W.A. is, as its name implies, "protection", and, in this case, it is the State's primary production which is being protected from pest animals, birds and weeds.

In general, the Board's activities are centred on the prevention, destruction or management of animals and plants which are troublesome to agricultural or pastoral production, or are capable of being troublesome.

The Java Sparrow, John L. Long

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE attractive Java Sparrow (Padda oryzivora) with its immaculate grey, white and black plumage is a favourite caged bird both in Australia and abroad.

It represents, however, a species of considerable pest potential to the agricultural interests of this State.

Simple Treatment Will Protect Farm-Stored Grain, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WITH unusually large quantities of grain likely to be stored on farms this season, 1970 will be an important year for the control of pests in stored grain.

Infested grain from farms is responsible for almost all outbreaks of infestation in bulk storages, leading to costly treatment by the grain handling authority. Effective control on the farm would eliminate most of this.

Why Australia Needs Plant Quarantine, A T. Gulvin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

LATE blight of potatoes in 1830, powdery mildew of grapes in 1847, phylloxera in 1861, downy mildew in 1875, and black rot in 1838 . . . It was this grim list of plant disease epidemics in Europe that forced Governments to protect plants by quarantine.

The Spice Finch, John L. Long

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE Spice Finch (Lonchura punctulata) is also known as Nutmeg Finch or Mannikin, Spice bird, Spotted Munia, Common Munia, Ricebird and Scaly-breasted Munia.

It is an east and south east Asian species inhabiting Malaya, Singapore, Penang, India, Ceylon, Burma, Indo-China, Yunnan, Formosa and the Philippines.

The dangers associated with such a species being introduced to Western Australia are great.

The Indian Crow, John L. Long

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE Indian crow occasionally reaches the shores of Australia from southern Asia via ships travelling between Indian and Australian ports.

Supplementary List Of Diseases Recorded On Various Hosts In Western Australia, G. C. Macnish

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

THIS supplement follows a previous supplement compiled by the same author' and published in 1964. It contains the diseases recorded on all hosts during the period July 1, 1963 to June 30, 1966 inclusive. Three disease records omitted from previous census have been incorporated. A list of previous publications in this series is appended. Also appended is a list of common names of host plants to facilitate reference.

A Potential Champ? [Distemper In Dogs], F C. Wilkinson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

THE mother of this pup was an eight-year-old sheep dog and in the eyes of her owner she was a champion and well worth her keep.

She was perhaps slowing down a little, so the best looking pup out of the last litter had been kept as a possible replacement.

Insect Pests And Their Control, Clee Francis Howard Jenkins

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

METHODS of insect control are sometimes classified under the following four headings— Quarantine, Cultural Methods, Biological Control and Chemical Treatments.

Each method has its own particular part to play in preventing the spread and multiplication of insect pests and it is essential for maximum results that everyone— whether he be a commercial grower or a backyard gardener—has a general understanding of the principles involved.

Plant Disease - Black Spot (Anthracnose) Of Grapes, W P. Cass Smith, H L. Harvey, W R. Jamieson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Black spot or Anthracnose of grapes caused by the fungus Elsinoe ampelina is a widespread and serious disease. In commercial vineyards it is often responsible for considerable reduction in yield and quality of fruit, and in home gardens also it may prove very damaging. Under commercial conditions the disease has proved difficult to control in seasons favourable for its development despite the routine application of accepted fungicides. Fortunately, preliminary results of recent spray trials indicate that greatly improved control is likely to result in future from the use of a number of new fungicides.

Bracken Fern Control, F E. Ryan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Bracken fern occurs over a large proportion of the civilised world and is recognised in all countries as a serious pasture pest. Its control is a matter of great concern. In Western Australia large areas have been invaded by bracken, and recommendations for its control have been made from time to time. Generally speaking, control measures are aimed at the removal of the frond cover and stimulating pasture growth beneath.

Dingo Destruction 2—Some Hints On Shooting, A G. Moore

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

These articles have been written to assist professional and amateur doggers, as well as farmers, to destroy dingoes or wild dogs (the term "wild dogs" is generally used to include both dingoes and domestic dogs which are running wild). The information given has been gathered from extensive experience in most of the areas of the State to the south of the Transcontinental railway line.

Infectious Pneumonia Of Pigs, C R. Toop

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Infectious pneumonia is by far the most common disease of pigs in Western Australia and 1 is a source of serious loss to the pig industry. It has a wide distribution, and evidence of its existence in one form or another may be found in a large proportion of piggeries throughout the State. It is largely confined to young pigs and is most frequently observed in weaners and slips. For the most part it occurs as a chronic disease with symptoms of coughing, unthnftiness and retarded growth, but it may occasionally assume an acute form accompanied by serious mortality.

Crop Spraying With Hormone-Like Weedkillers, G R. W Meadly

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Although a considerable amount of investigational work on various weeds was carried out during last season it is intended to devote this article to experience gained from large scale undertakings as distinct from experiments. A very successful aerial spraying project was undertaken against water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) at Lake Monger and pasture weeds such as thistles and Cape tulip (Homeria spp.) were treated with hormone-like preparations in a number of districts, but by far the greatest activity with these chemicals was associated with the selective control of weeds such as wild turnip (Brassica Tournefortii), wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and mustard …

Plant Disease - Early Blight Or Target Spot Of Potatoes, W P. Cass Smith, M Hardie, B N. Lowe

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Early blight or target spot caused by the fungus Alternaria solani is a widespread disease of potatoes which in Western Australia is most prevalent in crops dug in autumn and early summer. The disease may attack both foliage and tubers, but the tuber rot phase of the disease has hitherto caused most concern to local growers because it causes obvious losses in storage. The less obvious but more serious effects of the foliage blight have generally been overlooked, chiefly because the disease usually develops late in the season when the crops are approaching maturity. However recent spray trials with new …