Weed Science Commons^™

Seed Storage In Relation To Germination, G R W Meadly

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

WE are often asked how long seed can be stored and remain suitable for sowing.

There is no single answer as the period depends on a number of factors, including the type of seed, its condition at the time of storing and the nature of the storage.

Soursob (Oxalis Pes-Caprae L.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING winter and spring, the yellow colouration of paddocks is not always due to the flowers of the widely distributed Capeweed.

In some districts, particularly in the Avon Valley, the yellow-flowered soursob (Oxalis pes-caprae L.), has become firmly established.

The genus Oxalis contains 800 or more different species, the two main natural centres of distribution being South Africa and tropical and extra-tropical South America.

Afghan Thistle (Solanum Hystrix R. Br.), G R W Meadly

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

DURING the summer months it is usual to receive many specimens of a prickly plant with blue flowers similar to those of a potato. It is commonly known as Afghan Thistle or Prickly Potato Weed.

This plant is not a thistle, although it has the prickly foliage characteristic of many members of that group. The botanical name is Solanum hystrix which places it in the same family as the tomato, potato and tobacco.

Relatives also include weeds such as the thornapples, black nightshade and apple of Sodom.

The name Prickly Potato Weed, although somewhat unwieldy is therefore more appropriate than …

Weed Control In Cereals, G R W Meadly

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

WITH seeding almost completed, it is appropriate to review our knowledge of weed control methods in order to undertake any necessary planning.

Although cultural operations provide the first line of attack in the control of weeds in cereals, chemicals are playing a very important and increasing part.

The principles underlying cultural methods, including prevention from seeding and exhausting dormant seed reserves in the soil, are well known and it is intended to devote this article largely to the use of chemicals as herbicides, along with the various implications.

Prickly Pear - Declared Noxious Weed

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Many householders and orchardists seem to be unaware of the fact that the Prickly Pear has been declared a primary noxious weed for the Armadale- Kelmscott, Darling Range, Mundaring and Swan Road Board districts.

Growth Regulating Substances Used For Weed Killing, G R. W Meadly

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Many discoveries of considerable importance to agriculture have been made accidentally while scientists have been working on other problems. The presence of a hormone, or growth-regulating substance, in plants has been known for many years, and in 1934 chemists were able to define the composition of this substance. With this information it was possible to prepare synthetically many related chemicals which were applied experimentally to plants, mainly for the purpose of stimulating growth, particularly with a view to promoting root development of cuttings.

Mesquite - Aerial Spray To Be Tested

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

An intensification of the spread of Mesquite in the North-West of the State was reported by the Chief Weed Control Officer of the Department of Agriculture (Mr. G. R. W. Meadly). He stated that a spineless form of this tree had been introduced on certain North-West stations some years ago as it was thought that the plant would provide valuable topfeed in its highly nutritious pods and beans. Unfortunately, the trees had reverted to the spined type and dense thickets had developed in some areas. Approval was recently given for experiments in aerial spraying of these thickets in an attempt …

Cape Tulip Control

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Strong measures will be taken this season to control the spread of Cape Tulip in Western Australia.

Bulletin No 32 - Noxious Weeds And Poison Plants, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Bulletins 1 - 2999

Many settlers, new to this State, find some difficulty in distinguishing those vegetable pests which are classed as noxious weeds, the eradication of which is made compulsory under the Noxious Weeds Act of 1904.

In order to facilitate the ready recognition of the plants which are the least familiar, the Department of Agriculture has prepared this Bulletin, giving illustrations of the several varieties which have been gazetted as noxious. these are: - Stinkwort, Bathurst Burr, Noogoorn Burr, Nut Bramble, Spanish Radish, Prickly Pear, Apple of Sodom, sweet Briar, Wild Bramble, Star Thistle (purple), Double Gee and Water hyacinth.