Plant Biology Commons^™

Saltland Pastures, C V. Malcolm

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

FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENT of Agriculture in Western Australia considerable areas of highly productive land have become salt affected to the degree that normal crops and pastures cannot be grown.*

However, species and establishment methods are available which can bring at least some of this land back into production.

Pasture Seed Production In Western Australia, B J. Quinlivan

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

Pasture seed production in Western Australia is an industry with a somewhat turbulent past. Booms and slumps have been the rule rather than the exception.

However, during the past few years there has been some degree of "stability"—if not in price, at least in terms of total production.

Dormancy And Life Span Of Saffron Thistle Seeds, B J. Quinlivan, J. R. Pierce

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

RESEARCH in the Geraldton area has indicated that seeds of the saffron thistle (Carthamus lanatus) spread their germination over some seven years but most germinate in the first two years.

Factors influencing the rate of germination and the survival of seeds are the depth of burial and the presence of termites in the soil.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Champion Bay Poison (G. Oxylobioides Benth.), Sandplain Poison (G. Microcarpum Meissn.), Cluster Poison (G. Bennettsianum C.A. Gardn.), Hutt River Poison (G. Propinquum C.A. Gardn.), Gilbernine Poison (G. Rotundifolium Meissn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with five species of the genus Gastrolobium. The plants look rather similar so in the past have often been confused. They occur over a considerable area of the agricultural region of Western Australia.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Net-Leaf Poison (O. Racemosum (Turcz.) C.A. Gardn.), Brother-Brother (O. Tetragonophyllum E. Pritzel), Rigid-Leaf Poison (O. Rigidum C.A. Gardn.), Slender Poison (O. Heterophyllum (Turcz.) Benth.), Round-Leaf Poison (G. Pycnostachyum Benth.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with five toxic species, all of which are found in the Eyre district of the South-Western region of Western Australia.

More Butterfat Per Acre At Denmark Research Station, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

STOCKING rates on dairy farms are generally too low and can be substantially increased, but unfortunately there is no satisfactory measurement to indicate the potential of a particular pasture or environment.

A trial carried out on Denmark Research Station in 1966-67, to obtain information on carrying capacity of a dryland kikuyu-subterranean clover pasture.

Chemical Thinning Of Plums And Peaches, J E L Cripps, K. T. Whitely

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

DURING the past decade the acreage of Japanese plums in Western Australia has increased by 10 percent, and production has risen by nearly 40 per cent.

Furthermore, almost 30 per cent, of our trees were still classified as non bearing in 1966, so rapid increases in production are certain to be recorded within the next few years.

Control Of Cape Tulip, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

CAPE TULIP is the worst weed in the Avon Valley and northern areas of the Great Southern districts.

It occurs elsewhere to a limited extent but even then it is regarded as a serious weed.

West Midlands Development : Poison Plants In The West Midlands, T E H Aplin

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

TOXIC plants have caused considerable economic loss to stock raisers since the early days of settlement in Western Australia.

Although much is now known of the toxic materials contained in such plants, and although most of the plants have been thoroughly publicised, losses are still occurring in many areas.

The History And Characteristics Of Troodos And Olympus Rose Clover, E T. Bailey, N. B. Gayfer

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

ROSE CLOVER is being produced and used in increasing quantities in south-western Australia. The first line named was designated Kondinin and five lines have now been given cultivar (variety) names.

One of the first samples of rose clover, C.P.I. 13949, introduced into Western Australia proved to be a mixture of two very similar types, differing visibly only in leaf markings.

The mixed sample was named Troodos,* and the selection from it, Olympus.

This paper describes the origin of the two varieties, their history and characteristics.

The Dalmation Green Graft, D Mann, H. R. Rodda

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

THE GREEN GRAFT, introduced to the Swan Valley by Dalmatian vignerons many years ago, is carried out in late November or early December, at the stage when the pith of the growing shoot is beginning to whiten.

Because stock and scion are green at this time and the shoots have not started to ripen, the green graft calluses quickly.

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.

Bussell Barley, J L. Mcmullan, J. A. Parish, H. M. Fisher

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

BUSSELL is a new high yielding 2-row barley variety named early in 1967.

An early maturing variety, with white grains of good quality, Bussell has short and extremely strong straw.

It has yielded more than any other variety under test in areas of Western Australia which receive more than 18 inches of annual rainfall.

It has yielded more than Prior in all areas.

Subterranean Clover Establishment In The Wheatbelt, M L. Poole

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

Care and attention to detail will greatly increase the chances of establishing good subterranean clover pastures in the wheatbelt.

PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT usually takes second place to cropping in the wheatbelt, with many farmers "bunging in a bit of clover" and hoping for the best. The worst often transpires, with either patchy stands or complete failure resulting.

Using "cheap" methods of establishment is a short-sighted approach and a waste of energy and resources.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : Crinkle-Leaf Poison (Gastrolobium Villosum Benth.), Runner Poison (G. Ovalifolium Henfr.), Horned Poison And Hill River Poison (G. Polystachyum Meissn.), Woolly Poison (G. Tomentosum C.A. Gardn.), T E H Aplin

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

THIS article deals with four toxic species of the genus Gastrolobium which are superficially similar to one other.

Two of these species are prostrate in habit; the other two are more upright but are generally short in stature.

Rates Of Superphosphate For Pasture And Crop Production In The Salmon Gums District, R N. Glencross, W. J. Cox

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

DURING the last few years large areas have been released for cereal and pasture production in the southern part of the Shire of Dundas and the northern part of the Shire of Esperance.

Changes in land use since 1962 are summarised in Table 1.

Legume Inoculants For 1967, W A. Shipton

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

PERIODIC changes are made in the strains of rhizobia released for the inoculation of various legume groups.

These changes are made when it is evident from experimental data that better strains of rhizobia are available, or that the old ones are no longer effective.

New strains of rhizobia may give improved nodulation of legume seedlings or increase dry matter yields.

The Effect Of Straw On The Emergence Of Wheat Seedlings, W A. Shipton, W. R. Tweedie

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

The emergence of wheat seedlings was decreased substantially when seed was planted close to oaten straw.

When the grain was placed a 1/4 inch above a straw layer emergence was depressed by more than half.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium. 1. Characteristics Of The Group, T E H Aplin

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

THE toxic species of the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium are a unique group of poison plants which have caused considerable economic loss to stock-raisers in Western Australia ever since the early days of settlement.

These plants are widely distributed over the agricultural areas of the south-west, and, with the opening up of large tracts of land for stock-raising, the danger is as high as it has even been.

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.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : Rock Poison (Gastrobolium Callistachys Meissn.), T E H Aplin

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

ROCK POISON, so called because it is commonly found on granitic soils, usually among granite rocks, occurs from the Irwin River, southwards to the Dale River and eastwards to Mount Stirling, south of Kellerberrin.

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.

Why Botanical Names Are Necessary, Robert Dunlop Royce

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

BOTANISTS engaged in naming plants are ofen asked "Why can't you speak English?"

The answer becomes quite clear as the inquirers learn more and more about plants and find people calling the same plant by quite different names.

Varieties And Time Of Sowing, H M. Fisher

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

THE extent to which seasonal conditions favour the various stages of plant development has a marked effect on cereal yields. Because varieties differ in their development they react in different ways to a particular seasonal pattern.

Poison Plants Of Western Australia : The Toxic Species Of The Genera Gastrolobium And Oxylobium : York Road Poison And Box Poison, T E H Aplin

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

YORK ROAD poison and box poison are two of the most important members of the group of poison plants belonging to the genera Gastrolobium and Oxylobium—the toxic pea-flowered plants.

Uniwhite : A New Lupin Variety, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

UNIWHITE is a new lupin variety, the Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia.

It is a variety of the narrow-leaved, or "New Zealand blue" lupin, Lupinus angustifolius L.

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.

Serradella, H G. Cariss, B. J. Quinlivan

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

SERRADELLA is an annual pasture legume which is now coming increasingly under notice.

I t is not a new species, for it has been grown in Western Australia as a pasture plant for some 12 years and in Europe for over 100 years.

Cattle Stocking Rates In A Higher Rainfall Area, R Sprivulis

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

THE 1965 Pardelup cattle stocking rate trial was conducted with Hereford cross yearling steers on annual pasture of Mt. Barker sub. clover, Wirnmera ryegrass and various volunteer annual species.

This was topdressed with 186 lb. of superphosphate per acre in mid March.

Stocking Rates On Cyprus Barrel Medic In The Northern Wheatbelt, R J. Parkin

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

IN May 1963, some three weeks after germination, a 4th year stand of Cyprus barrel medic was stocked with Merino wethers.

These same sheep are still grazing the area after three years.