Horticulture Commons^™

Bulletin No 4077 - The Avocado In Western Australia, M. G. Hawson, Jacqui Davis

Bulletins 4000 -

The avocado, Persea americana, is a member of the laurel family, and a close relative of the common shade tree, camphor laurel. It is native to Mexico, Central America, West Indies and nearby areas where the fruit was often a major part of the diet of the Indians.

Avocado flesh contains good levels of protein, fat, phosphate, potash, thiamin, riboflavin and ascorbic acid and exceeds those in such fruits as apples, apricots and bananas.

The tree is an evergreen, although some varieties lose their leaves for a short time before flowering. The canopy of varieties such as Fuerte, Rincon and …

Bulletin 3929 - Irrigation In Western Australia, K S. Cole

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Irrigation is essential in many parts of the world to produce essential food and profitable cash crops. Generally, those areas of land with less than 360 mm of rain spread over a distinct wet season of several months cannot grow crops for food or cash on rainfall alone. Then irrigation becomes necessary unless some peculiarity such as an oasis exists.

The Potential For Avocados In Western Australia, Michael Gregory Hawson

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

"The flesh of the ripe fruit is ivory yellow, framed in a surround of exquisite green"

There is only one fruit to which this comment can apply and that is the avocado.

While now regarded as a luxury, avocados have met ready demand on major markets indicating that limited expansion of avocado growing in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australiacouldmprovide quite profitable returns.

Stonefruits Have A Future, Geoffrey L. Godley

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

Over the 10 year period from 1966/67 to 1975/76, stonefruit production has not greatly expanded. The area planted has declined and the number of young, non-bearing trees also has declined.

Trends in the price ofsdtonefriut for the past decsde have revealed no real improvement on local or export markets but it is unlikely that these trends will continue. While costs will continue to rise, profitability of stonefruit is likely to be helped by cost saving techniques. Mechanical equipment changes and changes to management techniques will mean reduced management costs.

Apple Orchards To Take A New Look, J E L Cripps

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

Results of experiments by the Department of agriculture could completely change the appearance of the apple orchard in the next decade.

The normal orchard scene will become hedgerows of chemically-thinned, irrigated, red varieties on dwarfing or semi-dwarfing rootstocks receiving just the right amount of fertiliser, and areas between rows will be mown, or sprayed with herbicide. The clean cultivated, square-planted, vase-shaped tree will slowly disappear.

Progress In The Nursery Industry, W J. Heggers

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

The demand for ornamental plants in Western Australia is sat an unprecedented level, making the nursery industry a relatively prosperous branch of horticulture.

One reason for the continued demand for nursery lines is probably that people are concerned about the environment - "green survival", as it is often refered to in promotional literature.

In rural areas, farmers are becoming increasingly aware of the value of planting windbreaks, shade and ornamental trees, while mining companies and the Forests Department are actively engaged in re-afforestation.

As a result the nursery industry is in a healthy situation and can continue to develop in …

Virus Diseases In Agriculture, George Mclean

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

Viruses are extremely small particles which can only be seen with an electron microscope. A virus is present in a diseased plant as huge numbers of tiny particles within the cells of the plant. Viruses which are infectious can cause disease, and reproduce only inside the cells of a living plant.

Many insects transmit plant virus diseases—aphids, leafhoppers, mealy bugs, thrips and beetles. Generally a virus is spread by only one of these groups of insects.

The Western Australian Department of Agriculture is expanding the diagnostic service for the identification of plant viruses.

The Banana Industry At Carnarvon, John Roger Burt

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

In viewing the semi-arid conditions of the West Gascoyne, visitors are surprised to see a thriving banana industry at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, 930 kilometres north of Perth. The natural vegetation in the plantation area consists mainly of stunted gums, low acacia scrub and salt bush.

Despite the adverse climatic conditions, the average yields of Carnarvon bananas are double those of banana areas in other states.

Promising Results With Pineapples At Carnarvon, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Pineapples were investigated commercially in Carnarvon in the early 1930's but drought, sunscorch, alkaline soils and problems with transport and marketing caused the infant industry to collapse in 1936.

Recently however, trials at Gascoyne Research Station have shown that pineapples can produce good yields of high quality fruit in the area.

The trials have been aimed at establishing the viability of pineapple production at Carnarvon and have been carried out by officers of the Horticulture Division.

High Yields From Improved Onion Strain, M Hardie, R. G. Nailard

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

FOLLOWING an intensive programme of bulb selection over a period of 10 years, a special strain of the locally developed Spearwood Brown Globe onion has been produced by the Department of Agriculture.

Commercial Production Of Tomatoes In Western Australia, J P. Fallon, W H. Kooyman

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The tomato crop is subject to many hazards. Pests, diseases and adverse environmental conditions are frequently encountered and must be overcome. This bulletin has been prepared to give growers, whether they be experienced or new to tomato culture, an outline of the more important cultural practices involved in producing satisfactory crops. Common diseases and pests are described and where possible recommendations for their control are given.

Commercial Production Of Egg-Plant, James P. Fallon

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

The egg-plant or aubergine (Solarium melongena) is a sub-tropical plant which is not only very tender to frost and low temperature, but requires a long growing season.

Controll Of Eelworm Diseases Of Bananas In Western Australia : A Review, O M. Goss, M. G. Hawson

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

During the 1950's, a decline in bananas in plantations in Carnarvon, caused by heavy infestations of eelworms, prompted investigations into eelworm control.

The work was started in 1955. The results and recommendations based on experiments have been published in Department of Agriculture Bulletin 3532.

Future Trends In Apple And Pear Production, Frank Melville

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

Review of a recent survey of apple and pear plantings in Western Australia.

SINCE the early 1950's the area of apples in Western Australia has continually increased and this has been accompanied by an equally important change in variety emphasis.

On a lesser scale the position has been much the same with pears.

King Size Onions Not Wanted On The Local Market, M Hardie

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

WESTERN AUSTRALIA produced 3,500 tons of onions in 1955 and 7,000 tons in 1964. This 100 per cent, increase was achieved with only a 39 per cent, increase in acreage, so that crops produced much higher yields.

Local Marketing Of Citrus Fruits, K T. Whitely

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

CITRUS fruits are always popular on the local market but recently supplies from South Australia have made the market a very competitive one.

The situation demands the marketing of high quality citrus from growers in Western Australia.

The need to harvest the bulk of the Navel orange crop over a rather limited period and the resultant tendency for oversupply during that time also necessitates high standards of presentation to maintain firm prices.

Fertiliser Responses With Newly Planted Apple Trees, N H. Shorter

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

AN outstanding response to phosphate and a worthwhile response to nitrogen have been obtained in the Donnybrook area on a new orchard site on the property of Mr. A. Cross of Argyle.

Bulletin No 3547 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1968, Western Australian Department Of Agriculture

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Rivers flowing to the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Timor Sea have been estimated by hydrologists to carry about three times the water transported annually over the Murray drainage system and the South Eastern slopes which, together, comprise the highly settled agricultural areas of South Eastern Australia.

In 1945, the North Australian Development Committee recommended research in the Ord-Victoria rivers region as a first step toward ultimate agricultural development of this Northern potential and, in 1946, the Kim- berley Research Station commenced operations under the joint control of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and the Western Australian Department …

A Survey Of Stone Fruit Plantings In Western Australia, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

This article presents the results of a survey of commercial stone fruit plantings in Western Australia, carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture during 1966.

The main purpose of the survey was to provide varietal and other statistics not previously available in this State.

The results also give useful indications of future trends in the industry.

Production Costs In The Apple Industry : Comments On A Survey, A W. Hogstrom, I. J. Moncrieff

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

IN 1964 and 1965, light and heavy bearing years respectively, apples cost $2.40 per bushel to produce in Western Australia. This figure, to be considered with many other factors, was reached in a cost-of-production survey of 45 selected growers.

Packing and labour costs, in that order, were the two biggest cost-of-production items.

Ethoxyquin For The Control Of Scald Of Granny Smith Apples, Frank Melville

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

WEST AUSTRALIAN Granny Smiths are prone to the storage disorder superficial scald, which can appear after as little as 3 1/2 months storage.

Control measures are now available, the most recent development being the use of the chemical scald inhibitors, ethoxyquin and diphenylamine.

Assessment Of New Potato Varieties In Western Australia, D. C. Hosking

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

THE Mediterranean type of climate and low elevation of land in the South-West of Western Australia permits a year-round cycle of potato planting.

An early crop is planted in frost-free areas in June and July for harvest between October and December.

This is followed by a midseason crop, planted in August-October for harvest between December and March, and a late crop, planted November-April for harvest between March and September

Chemical Thinning Of Apples : Spray Recommendations For 1966, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

ALL indications point to a heavy crop of apples in the 1967 season.

This year gives growers an opportunity to break through the biennial bearing cycle of " o n " and " o f f" years by the thorough application of chemical thinning sprays.

The Care Of Young Fruit Trees, R G. Cahill

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

MUCH planning, work and expense must go into a programme of establishing a young orchard.

Orchardists must be prepared to give the care and attention young trees need if they are to become profitable paying units.

A Survey Of Citrus Plantings In Western Australia, Frank Melville

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

THE development of the citrus industry in Western Australia has been determined by the requirements of the local market and there is no reason to suppose that this will not continue to be the controlling factor.

Survey Of Potato Losses In The Field, James P. Fallon

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

A RELATIVELY large proportion of the potatoes grown in Western Australia are below Grade 1 standard.

Some are left in the field at harvest while others are rejected during grading operations.

Root Growth Of Apple Trees, J E L Cripps

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

IT will surprise even experienced growers to know that an apple tree in W.A. needs twice the quantity of roots the same tree would need in a more temperate climate such as England's.

Grease Spot Of Passion Fruit, R F. Doepel

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

PROLONGED wet periods during the winter months favour serious development of the bacterial disease grease spot in passion vine plantations.

Apple Dieback In Western Australia, Frank Melville

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

Dieback of apple trees has been a serious and persistent problem in Western Australian orchards for many years.

Field observations and trials suggest that it can be greatly reduced or avoided by spray thinning to control cropping, summer irrigation, light pruning, and avoidance of root damage by cultivation.

Contour Planting For Hillside Orchards. Part 1, N H. Shorter

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

FRUIT growers intending to plant an orchard on sloping land, would be well advised to consider the suitability of the block for planting on a contour system.