Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Why New Land Farmers Need A Super Bounty, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

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

Development of farming land in Western A ustralia's agricultural areas requires the application of large amounts of superphosphate. Since 1963, the Phosphate Fertiliser Bounty applied to superphosphate manufacture has ensured that this superphosphate has been available to farmers at reasonable cost and has helped to make new land development economically worth while.

Originally applied as an incentive to agricultural development, the bounty is now to be withdrawn and it is feared that the resulting increase in the cost of superphosphate will retard development of many West Australian farms and reduce many farm incomes to an unsatisfactory level.

These effects will …

Department Breeds New Oat Variety, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

XBVT 189, the new oat variety which will be released to selected growers for the 1975 planting, is the product of cross-breed ng, selection and testing work conducted by the plant breeding and crop testing groups of the Department of Agriculture's Wheat and Sheep Division.

Weed Trials 1974 Summary - Annual Ryegrass Control - Wild Oats - Cereal Tolerance To 2,4-D - Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, G. A. Pearce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

A herbicide trial and demonstration was commenced in 1973 and the treatment repeated in 1974. the objective was to control the annual ryegrass which was the dominant species and allow the scattered plants of sub clover to re-establish a clover dominant pasture. (See table) Despite the high reduction of seed stalks formed on some treatments in 1973 the ryegrass was only reduced by 50 per cent on the best treatment in 1974, The reduction in seed production in 1974 will no doubt further reduce the density of ryegrass in 1975 but eradication is unlikely. The value of burning in destroying …

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals: Results From 1974 Trials With Wheat, Barley And Oats, M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

74A1, 74A3, 74AL5, 74AL4, 74C3, 74E2, 74ES31, 73GLI, 74JE1, 74JE2, 74LG1, 74LG2, 74LG3, 74LG6, 61M11, 74MT17, 74NO1, 74NO2, 74WH2.

Grain Moisture And The Weather : What Can The Records Tell Us?, M W. Perry, P. A. Fievez

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

The expansion of cereal production in areas along the south coast has exposed harvesting problems associated with high grain moisture.

A grain delivery standard of 12 per cent moisture means that, in the absence of grain drying facilities, harvesting times in the field are restricted to those hours when grain moisture falls below this figure.

Grain moisture, however, remains the major problem and for planning purposes, producers require an estimate of the harvesting time available in a given year. This will depend on all the climatic variables which affect grain moisture. These include rainfall and dew which deposit water directly …

Skeleton Weed : The 1974 Narembeen Campaign, C R. Chambers

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

Skeleton weed took an alarming, historic turn in Western Australia at the 1974 New Year.

After a decade of an almost complacent pattern—control of one or two small outbreaks annually by the Agriculture Protection Board— general alarm erupted with the discovery of big areas at Pithara and mainly Narembeen.

What followed was a massive movement and engagement of not only Department staff but also the farming community in an attempt to beat this outbreak.

Pasture Species Investigations - High Rainfall Area 1974, D. A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Clover cultivar grazing trial North Bannister - 68NA1. 2. Clover cultivar grazing trial Chowerup - 70BR15. 3. Clover cultivars x redlegged mite - Chowerup - 70BR16. 4. Pasture types x stocking rate: - Denmark - 72D1. 5. Stocking rate and conservation for steer beef production - Mt. Barker Research Station - 71MT46. 6. Perennial versus annual grass grazing trial - Manjimup Research Station - 72MN5 - 72MN6

Wheat Breeding, J T. Reeves, N. Roy

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

In a normal harvest about 90 per cent of Western Australia's wheat production is exported overseas, where it is used in a wide range of products including noodles, bread, "steamed" bread, chapattis and biscuits

Wheat breeders in W.A. therefore have the problem of developing new varieties suited to many end uses, not all of which have the same quality requirements.

Pasture Seeds : Production Techniques And The Future Market Situation, B J. Quinlivan

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

Like other farming and grazing industries, pasture seed production has its share of booms and slumps —perhaps more than its share. In Western Australia, the industry reached a high point during the mid-1960's when land development along the south and west coastal districts was at its height.

The drought year of 1969 and the subsequent rural depression saw pasture seed production fall to its lowest level for ten years and it is only in the last 12 months that there has been a revival.

With the sudden upsurge of interest last summer there will be many potential seed producers now …

Nitrogen Fertilisers For Pasture Production, Walter Jacob Cox, K Hawley

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

At current prices nitrogen fertiliser is not an economic substitute for good clover pastures, but it can supplement the system by increasing nitrogen supply at peak growth periods. It can also provide useful increases in pasture production at critical feed times. Nitrogen usage for pasture production is still in the experimental stages and small areas should be tried before large-scale application.

Summary Of Experimental Results - Wheat Protein Survey, R Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Wheat protein survey Seeding rate x grain protein - 72NA33. Seeding rate x grain protein - 72M28. Temperature effects on flower set of lupin - 72GL4. Wheat protein survey - A survey of 130 farmers in 13 Shires of the high protein area around Merredin was undertaken in the few weeks prior to the 1972 harvest. Grain samples were forwarded by farmers after supplying site data including yield estimate. A soil sample was collected on which % soil N was determined. This information together with grain protein percentage was included in multiple regression, and stepwise regression analyses.

Drought Effects On Wheat Cultivars Using Trickle Irrigation, R N. Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 74M32 - The trial was aimed at - 1. Looking for cultivar differences in drought tolerance: particularly involving Gamenya and Insignia. 2. Considering trickle irrigation as a means of controlled water application. Four cultivars were sown at the end of July in salmon gum soil at Merredin. Drought effects on four wheat cultivars in controlled environment Trial 74GL8 - This work was aimed at assessing the performance of the cultivars Gamenya, Gambee, Darkan and Insignia under controlled moisture stress.

Clover Scorch: Summary Of 1974 Experiments, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Experiments reported in this summary were conducted jointly with CM Francis. 1. Variety Screening - During 1974, two hundred and fifty-four varieties were screened for resistance to Kabatiella caulivora in small plots at Denmark. The test varieties included 49 that showed up as promising in previous years. The remainder included all the untested accessions for which sufficient seed was available. There were 239 sub. sp. Subterranean, 14 sub, sp. Yanninicum and 1 Brachycalycinum... - The plots were periodically inoculated with infected debris and rated for disease severity on a number of occasions. Lists of the most and least resistant clovers …

Long Term Rotation Trials - Annual Summary Of Results 1975, Ian Rowland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Long term rotation trials: Results are the yield of grain harvested from crops grown after various lengths of pasture ley. W56H, 66M29, 67C13, 67N4, 68SG5,

The Place Of Lucerne In Western Australian Agriculture, N J. Halse, C. M. Francis

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

Lucerne, the world's most important fodder legume, has never won largescale acceptance in West Australian farming, largely because of our success with productive subterranean clover pastures. But recent disease problems on sub. clover stands have led to greater interest in alternative species, especially lucerne, for higher rainfall areas.

This article summarises our knowledge of lucerne establishment and management in W.A. and reviews current research aimed at achieving better results from lucerne.

The Effect Of Applied Nitrogen And Subterranean Clover On The Growth Of Doublegee, D J. Gilbey

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

Until 20 years ago doublegees in Western Australia were mainly confined to the red-brown earth soils of the wheatbelt.

Since then, they have spread to light loamy sand soils in the wheatbelt, many of which have carried subterranean clover from the mid-1940s onwards.

It has been widely presumed that the spread of doublegees on to the lighter sandy soils of W.A. can be associated with the establishment of subterranean clover on these soils.

This report summarises the results of a glasshouse experiment on the effect of clover and nitrogen on the growth of doublegee.

1974 Potassium Soil Test Calibration Trials 1. Soil Analysis, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Site details - 74AL1, 74AL2, 74DE1, 74DE2, 73DE3, 73DE4, 73DE5, 73DE6, 74MA1, 74MA2, 74MA3, 74BU1, 74BU2, 74BU3, 74BU4, 74BY1, 74BY2, 74BY3, 74HA1, 74HA2, 74HA3, 74AR1, 74AR2, 74M01, 74M02, 74M03, 74NA1, 74NA2. 1974 Soil analyses. I. % Gravel, bulk density and ph measurements. I (a) Moisture characteristics. II. Measures of Available potassium. III. CSBP results.

Grain Moisture Problems On The South Coast, J A. Parish, G. H. Jones

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

In most West Australian grain growing districts high temperatures and dry weather at grain maturation are ideal for harvesting and enable delivery of grain with acceptable moisture levels. Grain from W.A. is known in world markets as a good quality dry product which is unlikely to deteriorate in storage. However, growers in coastal areas and particularly those south of Narrogin sometimes have trouble harvesting grain below the receival limit of 12 per cent moisture.

Summary Of 1974 Phosphorus And Sulphur Group, J W. Bowden, B. Scurr, R Lunt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Stocking x Super Rate - Merredin - 66M30. Twitcham - 62MB9. Kojonup - 68BR7. Maintenance P x S Trials - I. Residual Value - 66N07 and 66ME3. II. Wheatbelt Rate Trials - 67N011, 66LG1, 68LG1, 67NO5, 6NA3, 67GE2, 66M06 and 67M01. III. Wheatbelt Research Stations and Farmers- 65C5, 65A1, 65N5,69WH15 and 66N09. IV. Higher Rainfall Area Trials - 68B1, 68BU2, 68BR5,68AL3, 69E6, 69AL2 and 69AL3. Miscellaneous Trials - 74GE2, 74GE4, 74GE5,74JE3, 74LG4, 74M06, 74M07, 74TS3, 74NA3 74NA4, 74M07, 74TS4.

Interim Summary 1974 Experiments, M L. Poole

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Data presented for: 74MT38 - Variety Trial - New rape and radish varieties 74MT27 - Rates of seed, time of planting on Crambe abyssinica 74GE'1 ·- Time of Seeding X Rate of Nitrogen on Sunflowers. Oilseed and Grain Legumes under Summer Irrigation. Sunflower Progress Report. Safflower Progress Report. Response of Oilseed Crops to Climate. Introduction - The results given in this report provide an interim record of 1974 experimental work with oilseed crops. An essential part of oilseed trial programme is an evaluation of the quantity and quality of oil produced by different species and varieties under a range of …

Experiments To Measure The Reduction Of Soursob Density., J R. Peirce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials: 74WH; 74C19; 74E16

Soursob density. Rate of application of Diuron, Linuron and Tribunil.

Test various formulations of Diuron. Determine the effect of high rates of Diuron on a crop area.

Test various chemicals for control of Matricaria.

Determine whether Skeleton weed seed is capable of germinating.

Differences in the length of skeleton weed seed from different sites.

Summary Of Experimental Work 1974, G Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupinus albus cv WB2: Maximum yield response to 36 plants/m2 at Avondale (1973 and 1974) and Mt Barker Research Station in 1973 (achieved with 180 to 200 kg/ha seed rate), Maximum yield response to 48 plants/m2 at Chapman 1973 and 1974 and at Eradu 1974 (achieved with 220 tG 240 kg/ha). Very good yield results: Season - site Avondale 1973-3300, 1974-2250. kg/ha Chapman 1973-2800, 1974-2400. Mt Barker 1973-1900. 74A2 - Rates Of seeding for L, albus cv WB2. 74A21 - Rates of super on two lupin varieties. 74BR1 - Pasture regeneration after lupin survey. 74C4 - Rates of seeding L. …

Linseed : A Forgotten Crop, M L. Poole, R. J. Guyton, H. M. Fisher

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

Linseed has become a forgotten crop in Western Australia. From a peak production of 6 200 tonnes from 12 500 hectares in 1969, and an apparently bright future, it dwindled to a bare 80 tonnes from 250 hectares in 1973.

This article looks at some of the reasons for this decline and, with linseed fetching all-time record prices on world markets, gives reasons why the crop should be grown.

1974 Potash Trials 2. Yield Data, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Experiment nos: 74AL1, 74AL2, 74AR1, 74AR2,74BU1, 74BU2, 74BU3, 74BU4, 74BY1, 74 BY2, 74BY3, 74DE1, 74DE2, 74DE3, 74DE4, 74DE5, 74DE6, 74HA1, 74HA2, 74HA3, 74MA1, 74MA2, 74MA3, 74MO1, 74MO2, 74MO3, 74NA1, 74NA2.

1974 The Ecology And Control Of Doublegee (Emex Australis) And Emex Spinosa, D J. Gilbey

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The objectives of the field experimental programme for 1974 were to - 1) Evaluate a technique to measure pasture loss as a result of doublegee infestation at Merredin, Wongan.Hills and Chapman. 2) Evaluate the effect of cultural and herbicide treatment combinations on the magnitude and distribution of viable doublegee seeds in the soil at Avondale, Merredin, Wongan Hills and Chapman. 3) Measure the magnitude and distribution of viable doublegee seeds in the soil from paddocks representing each year of a two crop, plus three year pastureley rotation at Avondale, Merredin, Wongan Hills and Chapman. 4) Screen herbicides for selective control …

Fallow Re-Assessment - Wheat Variety Investigations- Root Growth And Moisture Use, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report summarises progress and data available for the following investigations - Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29. Wheat Variety Investigations - Root Growth and Moisture Use. Location: Wongan Hills Research Station. Merredin Research Station.

Lupin Agronomy: Time Of Planting, Seeding Rate And Variety In A Long Season Area., M. W. Perry

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

To evaluate lupin varieties and agronomic practices in a long season district using a factorial experimental design. 74A16a Location - Warriup 57 km E. of .Albany. 74A16b Green Range, 70 km E. of Albany. Time of Planting (4) Seeding Rates (4) Varieties (4) Fertiliser.

Time Of Planting And Rate Of Seeding On Lupin Yield, G Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Of the four time of planting trials twodefinitely showed superiority of earlier seeding (73BA5, 73E6). The two trials in the Southwest (73BR14 and 73MT7) gave highest yields with June sowing compared to May. Three trials (73BR14, 73E6 and 73BA5) appear to have a Variety x Time interaction for plant density, but no definite trend for either Uniharvest or Unicrop although later sowing reduced plant density. Seeding rates in excess of 82 kg/ha gave the highest yields in all trials. The rate of seeding experiments (73BA5 and 73MT7) show that the best crop density for yield (graph) lies between 8 and …

Summary Of 1973 Field Experiments With Advisers, M L. Poole

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

SECTION I: Effect of times of planting x Benlate seed treatment on incidence of blackleg in Span and Zephyr rapeseed. SECTION II: Rapeseed Variety Trials 1973 including times of planting. This report provides a record of two series of trials carried out in 1973. Trials - 73A4, 73AL10, 73AL11, 73AL12, 73BR9, 73BR12, 73BR13, 73ES7, 73ES8, 73GE3, 73JE4, 73JE5, 73KA3, 73KA7, 73M2, 73MO11, 73MO13, 73MT5, 73MT6, 73NA6, 73NA7. Effect of times of planting x Benlate seed treatment on incidence of blackleg in Span and Zephyr rapeseed, series of 12 trials were set up, mainly in the southern agricultural areas, near previous …

1973 Legume Seed Inoculation, D L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupin Experiments - Eleven trials were sown during 1973 with the aim of further examining the response of lupins to inoculation on old clover land, new to lupins, and some on new land. The lime pellet and gum slurry methods were compared. The opportunity was also taken to compare a new rhizobia, WU8, with the current commercial inoculant WU425. 1. Inoculation of Uniharvest lupins - time of sowing, strain of rhizobia and method of inoculation. Sown as second crop on old clover land - WILLIAMS. 2. Inoculation of Uniharvest lupins sown as a first crop on old clover land - …