Plant Pathology Commons^™

The Stripe Rust Threat, B R. Whan, T. N. Khan

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

The wheat disease stripe rust caused crop losses estimated at $20 million in New South Wales during an epidemis in 983. Economic crop losses were reported in neighbouring States and as far westas Ceduna in South Australia. In some States large areas were sprayed with fungacide at considerable cost to control disease spread.

Wheat stripe rust has not been found in Western Australia yet, but all current evidence indicates that it will eventually reach this State.When it does, it has the potential to cause considerable crop losses every year, unlike the spasmodic losses from stem rust, and it will greatly …

Virus, Viroid, Mycoplasma And Rickettsial Diseases Of Plants In Western Australia, L K. Price, George Mclean

Technical Bulletins

Provides details of the virus, viroid, mycoplasma and rickettsial diseases recorded on plants in Western Australia. To establish these records, a range of tests have been used including sap transmission; leaf dip electron microscopy; aphid transmission and serology. The authenticity for each record is noted in the list of pathogens.

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.

Bulletin No 3573 - Wheat Diseases In Western Australia, A. G. P. Brown, G. C. Mac Nish

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Diseases caused by pathogenic organisms can seriously affect the yield of wheat. Some diseases are comparatively rare whereas others occur over a large area of the wheatbelt year after year.

it is important to be able to identify diseases correctly so that the appropriate control measures can be applied, In the following article the diseases of wheat caused by pathogenic organisms are illustrated, with their symptoms described, and where possible, the control measures given.

Cotton Fireweed : Potential Poison : Research Roundup, J Dickson, R. Hill

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

Although long known as a potential toxic species because of its content, and although it is widely distribuited in all Australian States, cotton fireweed has not generally been consdidered toxic because it is unpalatable and not usually eaten by stock.

In 1973 cattle deaths occured near Ravensthorpe which led to research into Senecio quadridentatus (cotton fireweed).

The plant must be seen as a potential toxic species in situations where the lack of other feed forces cattle to eat the normally unpalatable cotton fireweed.

Septoria Diseases Of Wheat, A. G. P. Brown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The Effect of Septoria nodorum on Yield of 125 Wheat Cultivars. The aim of this experiment was as described for that of 1976. There were some modifications to the treatments which were as follows: (a) Most of the cultivars were 'new' and (b) Three levels of Septoria attack were set up:- 1. Low: cover sprayed throughout the season with the fungicide Difolatan. 2. Moderate: inoculated with Septoria three times, followed at heading out by cover spraying with Difolatan. 3. Severe: inoculated four times no fungicide. The 125 entries were sown as hill plots with the three Septoria environments as main …

1977 Summary Of Results Of Field Experiments (January 1978), D L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Inoculation. 1.1. High rainfall. 1.2. Low rainfall. 2. Clover Scorch. 3. Rye grass toxicity. LIST OF EXPERIMENTS 1. The responses of varieties of Trifolium yanninicum to inoculation with different strains of rhizobia - Denmark. 2. The response of T. yanninicum to inoculation over two growing seasons - Denmark. 3. The response of white and strawberry clovers to inoculation - Denmark. 4. The response of sub clover to inoculation - spaced row trial - Merredin. 5. The response of sub clover to inoculation - plot trial (Not sampled) - Merredin. 6. The response of sub clover to inoculation - spaced …

Root Rot Of Subterranean Clover In W.A, G C. Macnish, M. J. Barbetti, D. Gillespie, K. Hawley

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

Root rot of subterranean clover has occurred sporadically in the south west of Western Australia for a number of years.

In most seasons the disease has affected the clover paddocks of only a few farms, but in 1973 there was widespread pasture decline due to root rot in the South-West and south coastal districts.

At present the most promising approaches for minimising the effect of root rot appear to be the use of cultivation techniques and eventually the use of resistant varieties, or other pasture species.

Grain Crop Varieties For Western Australia, H M. Fisher

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

Recommendations for grain crop varieties grown in Western Australia are based on the results of field trials carried out each year by the Department of Agriculture at some 50 sites throughout the agricultural areas.

New varieties are tested directly against existing commercial varieties in large scale field trials for several years. Yield and quality results are analysed and market requirements are studied before recommendations are formulated.

This article gives information on the varieties of a range of crops now recommended for growing in Western Australia.

Subterranean Clover In W.A. 1. The Current Situation, B J. Quinlivan, C. M. Francis

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

From small beginnings some 50 or more years ago subterranean clover has come to dominate the pasture scene in Western Australia. Of the 7 000 000 hectares of sown pasture all but some 500 000 are sown to subterranean clover. Further, it is estimated that there remains an area of similar size still to be sown, although in some instances these future sowings will be possible only if suitable varieties are available.

Clearing and pasture development within the various agricultural regions of the State took place, as a rule, within quite clearly defined time intervals and the varieties selected for …

Trikkala, A New Safe Clover For Wet Areas, C M. Francis

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

Trikkala is a new low oestrogen subterranean clover cultivar which has been released to seed producers this year. It should be available in quantity to farmers in 1977 and is recommended as an alternative to Yarloop for winter-wet situations.

Blackleg Of Rapeseed, A Bokor, M. J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, G. C. Mac Nish, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Unless blackleg can be controlled there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in W.A.

Until 1972, oilseed rape showed great promise as an alternative cash crop for Western Australian farmers, especially in the Great Southern and south coastal areas.

However, like most other cruciferous crops, rape is prone to attack from diseases and insect pests. Most of these can be controlled, but the fungus disease blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) emerged as a major threat to the industry.

Clearly, unless the disease can be controlled, there is little future for rapeseed as a major commercial crop in Western …

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.

Breeding Better Rape And Lineseed For Western Australia, N N. Roy, J. Reeves

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

Rapeseed and linseed—the main oil seed crops grown in the south-west of Western Australia—have both been beset by problems which have limited farmers' interest in them.

Rapeseed was first grown commercially in 1970, when wheat quotas and low prices for other cereals forced farmers to seek alternative cash crops. The area sown to rapeseed increased rapidly, but disastrous outbreaks of the disease blackleg caused rapid decline, and little rapeseed is now sown.

Linseed has been grown in W.A. for more than 30 years. Linseed rust proved disastrous but was overcome by the introduction and breedbreeding of rust-resistant varieties. In recent …

Evaluation Of The Systemic Nematicide Phenamiphos To Control The Nematode Anguina Sp In Toxic Ryegrass Pasture, B A. Stynes

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field trials done in 1974 showed that phenamiphos could be used to control Anguina sp. and suggested that low rates may be effective with critical timing of applications. These possibilities were investigated in 1975. Locality - Katanning - F. Quartermaine and c. Butterworth. Gnowangerup - J. Griffith. Tables 1 and 2 show the absolute levels of nematodes in ryegrass seed and the density of nematodes per unit area of pasture after treatment with phenamiphos. All rates of nematicide reduced the level and density of nematodes; the highest rate being slightly more effective. The spray schedule including sprays in July and …

Wheat Rust Epidemics, A G P Brown, J. T. Reeves

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

Stem rust of wheat is probably the most damaging plant disease in the world. The rust fungus attacks stems, leaves and heads, producing characteristic red-brown pustules which affect the plant's ability to fill out the grain. Yield loss is directly related to the amount of rust in the crop and the length of time the crop is infected.

In Western Australia it is not uncommon to find rust on crops in mid-October, but usually there is negligible loss of yield. In fact this pattern is quite normal throughout the world: In general, rust arrives too late to cause an epidemic. …

Prospects For A Successful Rape Crop, M J. Barbetti, A. G. P. Brown, P. Mcr. Wood

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

Since the disastrous 1972 season, when blackleg disease reached epidemic proportions, rapeseed production has declined dramatically. With attractive prices for rapeseed in prospect many farmers may be trying this crop again.

If the risk of loss from blackleg could be assessed early in the season it would assist in deciding whether rape would be an economic proposition.

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.

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.

Potassium For Pastures, Walter Jacob Cox

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

IVIany pastures in the south-west of Western Australia are deficient in potassium or need regular dressings for maximum growth. This article indicates areas and situations in which potassium might be needed, shows how deficiency is diagnosed and gives recommended rates of application.

Glume Blotch Of Wheat, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

Glume blotch on wheat crops is seen frequently in some areas of Western Australia and was particularly severe in the West Midlands in 1971.

The disease is caused by the fungus Septoria nodorum which infects the leaves, stems and heads of the wheat plant.

Bulletin No 3768 - Submitting Plants For Disease Identification, M D. Marcley

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

THERE are several important points to remember when submitting plant material for disease identification by the Department of Agriculture's Plant Pathology Branch.

Firstly it is very important to collect a suitable sample because it is very difficult to determine the cause of a plant disease by looking at a completely dead plant. The sample should include the entire plant (before it is completely dead) including roots and soil. Then all the effects of the disease can be seen. For example leaf yellowing, dead areas of the stem, collar rot, root rot, eelworm damage, and disease of the water and food …

A New Look At Sweet Lupins In Western Australia, C M. Francis, M. L. Poole, M. H. Chopping

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

BECAUSE they have a seed protein content of 30 to 45 per cent., sweet lupins are playing a growing role in animal feeding, particularly in the poultry industry. Their value as a protein supplement should ensure a continued local market as at current prices they are highly competitive with soya beans in cost per unit of protein.

Field Peas : A Crop For The Cereal Growing Areas?, M L. Poole, H. M. Fisher

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

No abstract provided.

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.

Copper Requirements For The South-Eastern Wheatbelt, D J. Gilbey, K. D. Greathead, J. W. Gartrell

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

FARM experience and the results of five years intensive research have shown copper deficiency to be widespread in the south-eastern wheatbelt.

On many areas of the south-eastern wheatbelt, copper deficiency is likely to restrict wheat yields.

Superphosphate Deficiency Raises Pasture Oestrogens, H G. Neil, T. Marshall

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

A recent field experiment on established pastures at Esperance Downs Research Station has demonstrated a relationship between superphosphate application, pasture oestrogens and oestrogenic response in sheep.

Results of the experiment indicate that on phosphate deficient soils carrying oestrogenic clovers, the levels of oestrogenic materials in the pasture are increased if superphosphate applications are below those recommended for healthy pasture growth.

Lupins In Western Australia. 5. The Grazing Value Of Green And Mature Lupins, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

WHETHER or not lupins are grown primarily as a grain crop, grazing of standing crops and harvested stubbles will continue to be an important use. This article examines the uses of sweet lupins for forage, and the main problem of lupin grazing, lupinosis.

Lupin Diseases, H L. Harvey

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

The two major diseases of lupins in Western Australia, brown spot and bean yellow mosaic, can be reduced by careful management of lupin crops.

Growing Barley For Grain In Western Australia : Barley Quality, J A. Parish

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

Plumpness and absence of pinched grain are desirable for both malting and feed barley.

This is a brief discussion of various Quality standards in barley and how they may not be met.