Plant Biology Commons^™

Pasture Improvement In South Western Australia, J W. Malcolm

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

"There is no doubt that Australia's enhanced prosperity in the last 30 years has been dependent in no small measure on the use of legume-based pastures." E. M. Hutron, June, 1968. *

THE LAST 30 years have seen an increased interest in pasture improvement which has transformed much of Western Australia. Large areas have been sown to new and improved pasture species—as a result productivity of both livestock and cereal enterprises has risen.

Wren Wheat Unimpressive In West Australian Trials, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

WREN WHEAT, the subject of current controversy in the Eastern States, has been tested in trials in Western Australia and the results have indicated that it is not likely to yield well in this State.

Lupins In Western Australia. 2. Cultivation Methods, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

While lupins are by and large plants of lighter and less fertile soils, important differences exist among them in their soil preferences.

There may also be some differences in climatic requirements. Present knowledge of these differences is summarized in the Table below.

Fertility Build Up Under Northern Wheatbelt Pastures, M L. Poole

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

Experiments on two farmers' properties demonstrated that legume pastures increase the fertility of northern wheatbelt soils.

Crops on legume pastures had higher yields than crops on volunteer pasture.

The experiments also indicated the most productive legume species for each situation and demonstrated that nitrogen added by legumes has a residual effect in the soil.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Poison Plants In The Garden, T E H Aplin

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

SOME 18 commonly grown garden plants are known to be toxic and many local home gardens have five or six of them.

Several other species can cause skin ailments.

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.

Continuous Grazing On Rose Clover At Northampton, R J. Parkin

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

BECAUSE of its upright growth habit, it is often thought that rose clover may require some form of specialised grazing management.

It has also been said that the sheep find the plant and in particular the seed head, undesirable in the dry stages.

However, more recent observations refute this (Bailey 1966). The present commonly-grown strains of rose clover are later flowering generally than the medics or Geraldton subterranean clover and stay green later in the season.

Pasture Seed Production, 1966 : Statistics And Comments, B J. Quinlivan

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

THE marketing of pasture seeds differs from that of some other primary products in that there are no guaranteed prices.

A knowledge of potential supply and demand for the various species and strains is just as important to the seed producer as good production techniques.

Wheat Quality Surveys In Western Australia. Part 1. The Distribution Of Areas Producing High And Low Protein Wheat, J A. Parish

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

THIS article reports results from survey work carried out by the author, in collaboration with Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd., on wheat drawn from all receival points in Western Australia during the period 1956-63.

Sheep Can Be More Profitable In The Wheatbelt, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

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

TRADITIONALLY, wheatbelt farmers have looked upon sheep as being subsidiary, or at best, complementary to their main activity, wheat growing.

Because there has been a mistaken belief that clover would not grow, these farmers have depended upon native grasses and crop remains (stubble) for sheep feed, a practice which has put a limit to the number of sheep a property could support.

Time Of Lambing At Esperance, R J. Doyle

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

ESPERANCE is one of the few places in Western Australia at which experiments over three years have shown a definite improvement in number of lambs produced to marking, as a result of lambing in the August-September period.

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.

Kimberley Research Station Progress Report, 1964 : Insect Pests And Insecticides, K T. Richards

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

FOR the past four years, detailed studies have been carried out in regard to the identification, status, bionomics, and control of insects and mite pests attacking the various crops grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

Root-Bound Shrubs, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

THE illustrated garden shrub (Cotoneaster) strangled itself with its own roots.

When purchased several years earlier it had been in the pot too long and the young roots, not being able to grow straight down had spiralled round and round in the pot.

Molybdenum Increases Cereal Yields On Wheatbelt Scrubplain, R J. Doyle, R. J. Parkin, J. A. C. Smith, J. W. Gartrell

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

IN four field experiments and two paddock strip trials since 1960, molybdenum applied to wheat and oats grown on scrubplain soils in the eastern wheatbelt increased yields by up to 3 i bushels of wheat and 5^ bushels of oats per acre.

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.