Plant Biology Commons^™

Watsonia (Watsonia Spp. And Chasmanthe Aethiopica (L.) N.E. Brown), G R W Meadly

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

AS the t i t le implies, the vernacular name Watsonia is applied, not only to several species of that genus, but also to the related Chasmanthe aethiopica. At times some small flowered types of Gladiolus are also included.

The Control Of Doublegee, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

FOUR years ago no practical recommendations could be made for the control of doublegee.

With money provided by the State Wheat Research Fund, research has been undertaken into the control of this weed, and there is now no reason why most farmers cannot bring doublegee under control.

Control Of Wild Oats, J G. Paterson

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

WILD OATS are widespread throughout the world.

Their importance can be gauged from the fact that in the wheat growing areas of Canada and the U.S.A. some 60 million acres are infested.

Two chemicals are now available for the control of wild oats in wheat. This article compares their relative merits and gives recommendations for their use.

Watch Out For Afghan Thistle, J G. Paterson

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

ALTHOUGH known throughout the cereal and sheep districts of Western Australia as Afghan thistle, this plant is not really a thistle at all.

It belongs to the large botanical family of the Solonaceae and is closely related to the garden vegetables tomato and potato.

The Recent Story Of Skeleton Weed : A Menace To Our Wheat Industry, G R W Meadly

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

SKELETON WEED was first found in Western Australia at Ballidu in 1963.

No further recording was made until December of last year when a small area was located near Esperance, but, within a brief period, plants were reported from Geraldton and Kwinana.

Weed Control : Cotton Fireweed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

COTTON FIREWEED is a native perennial plant which has developed as a serious weed in the south coastal areas.

Being a perennial it makes quick, active growth following summer rains and rapidly outgrows annual pasture plants.

Herbicides For Firebreaks, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

IN recent years, great interest has been shown in the possible use of chemicals for creating firebreaks as an alternative to cultivation.

The advantages are obvious, and suitable treatments are available; the main deterrent at the present time is cost.

Gorteria : A Recently Recorded Weed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A NUMBER of our major weed pests including Cape t u l ip and double gee are native to South Africa.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Gorteria, recently recorded for the first time in Western Australia, also comes from that country.

Weed Control : Watsonia, Onehunga Weed, Western Australia, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Suggested controls for two persistent weeds.

A Herbicide For Native Poison Plants, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE usual method of killing poison plants is by a programme of ploughing, cropping and burning.

The burning not only destroys a proportion of the plants, but stimulates the germination of dormant seeds, which otherwise would remain in the soil in a viable condition for many years.

Broom Rape, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

BROOM RAPE (Orobanche australiana) is a parasite which becomes attached to the roots of other plants.

It is not very selective regarding hosts and has been found parasitising many species, but particularly clovers.

Saffron Thistle, B J. Quinlivan, H. A. Pearce

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

Saffron thistle is a declared primary noxious weed in Western Australia and is especially troublesome in the northern agricultural areas.

Field trials aimed at finding the cheapest and most effective method of controlling the weed have shown that 2,4-D applied at the correct stage is the best chemical to use.

Docks, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Some very encouraging results have been obtained by spraying docks with a solution containing Dicamba.

This herbicide was previously known as Banvel D and is distributed under the trade name of Banex, which contains 20 per cent, active ingredient.

A Chemical For Doublegee, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

DURING the past two years, finance has been made available from the State Wheat Research Fund for an intensive study on doublegee.

A newly-developed herbicide has been shown to give complete control of growing plants, while ecological studies have started to yield valuable information about seed behaviour.

Crabgrass, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Crabgrass growing in lawns can be controlled by spraying with a solution containing D.S.M.A. (dosodium methyl arsenate).

Weed Control Around The Yard, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

MANY farmers and city householders have weed problems around houses and sheds which can be readily overcome by treatment with appropriate herbicides.

The risk from fire through weeds and unsightly growth can easily be removed and an area free of any plant growth can be maintained with little effort for a considerable period.

Creeping Knotweed, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Creeping knotweed (Polygonum prostratum) is a native perennial species which has exhibited weed tendencies, especially on land which retains moisture during the summer.

Progress In The Control Of Cotton Fireweed, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Cotton Fireweed (Erechtites quadridentata) is native to Western Australia and was first collected by Drummond before 1850. In its natural habitat it is quite insignificant and passes unnoticed.

Cotton fireweed, a native perennial plant, has become a serious weed in the south coastal districts and is now one of the most widespread weeds in the State.

The Doublegee, G R W Meadly

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

DOUBLEGEE, like a number of other major weeds, is native to South Africa. It was introduced to Western Australia during the first years of settlement.

There is no more troublesome weed in Western Australia than doublegee. It competes strongly with crop and pasture and its spiny fruits penetrate the hoofs of stock, causing lameness.

Weeds In Lawns. 1. Identification Of Weeds In Lawns, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

ACCURATE identification of weeds is the first principal of weed control with modern chemicals.

This is as true for weeds in lawns as any other weeds.

New Danger From Hoary Cress, G R W Meadly, R. D. Royce

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

HOARY CRESS is undoubtedly one of the worst weeds introduced into Australia. It is a vigorous deep rooted perennial which competes strongly with crop plants and seriously decreases yields.

The importance of three recent discoveries of this weed in Western Australia therefore need hardly be stressed.

G. R. W. Meadly, Offlcer-in-Charge of the Weeds and Seeds Branch, and R. D. Royce, Offlcer-in- Charge of the Botany Branch, report on two recently found infestations of hoary cross in the Great Southern, and one at Jerramongup.

An intensive eradication programme is under way.

Stinkwort : A Troublesome Summer Weed, G R W Meadly

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

ONE of the commonest weeds in Western Australia is stinkwort, a vigorous plant which can be a nuisance in many parts of the State during late summer.

Skeleton Weed : A Menace To The Wheat Industry, G R W Meadly

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

If introduced into Western Australia skeleton weed could become a greater problem to the wheat industry in this State than it is in the Eastern States.The risk of introduction is increasing.

Study these illustrations so that you will be able to recognise skeleton weed if you see it; early recognition may mean the difference between eradication and infestation.

Mesquite (Prosopis Juliflora D.C.), G R W Meadly

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

A TREE grown for shade and ornamental purposes and bearing nutritious pods would appear to be welcome anywhere.

This description applies to Mesquite; however it has certain undesirable characteristics which usually outweigh the advantages and pose a major agricultural problem.

That, in fact, is the position in Western Australia.

Special Seeds Help Weeds To Spread, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

PERHAPS the most important characteristic of a plant which establishes it as a weed is that it serves no useful purpose under the circumstances in which it occurs.

Fodder Shrubs In The Murchison, D G. Wilcox

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

THE Murchison pastoral country is usually thought of as either having a perennial grass cover, as in the Wandarrie, or as Mulga country with trees and short grass.

It is easy to overlook the small shrubs which occur all over the Murchison in every type of situation, and can provide high quality feed for sheep.

Cotton Fireweed : A Native Weed Menace, G R W Meadly

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

INTRODUCED plants have provided most of our weed problems. Cape tulip, double gee and soursob come from South Africa, Saffron thistle, Paterson's curse, wild turnip and wild radish from Europe, mesquite from the southern United States and Bathurst burr from South America.

The relatively few native plants which have become troublesome weeds include Afghan thistle and Sarsaparilla.

Hoary Cress (Cardaria Draba (L.) Desv.), G R W Meadly

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

HOARY CRESS, known also as Hoary Pepperwort or White Weed, is a perennial plant native to t h e Mediterranean region and Western Asia.

It has spread as a weed to northern Europe including Britain, as well as to other temperate countries among which are North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Factors In Weed Propagation, G R W Meadly

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

I N crop and pasture plants, seed production and harvesting are of vital impartance.

In a negative way, the formation of seeds by weeds can be equally important.

Stocking Rate And Pasture Management, B F. Carlin

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

FARMERS west of the Great Southern Railway, raising sheep and beef cattle, frequently associate soil deficiencies with difficulties in holding sub. clover in their pastures.

Field observations and some trials in those districts indicate that in many paddocks the problem arises through undergrazing rather than a deficiency in the soil.