Weed Science Commons^™

Replacing Farm Machinery, R Crossman

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

In talking of machinery replacement it seems implied that the replacement items of plant are bigger and therefore better than their predecessers. It is also implied that plant replacement is becoming more costly.

Before any decision to replace machinery, the reason for replacement should be carefully considered.

There may be alternatives to the bigger and better solution.

Lupin Yields Are Not What They Should Be : Viewpoint, M Ferguson, S. Trevenen

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

Mike Ferguson has been in charge of the Three Springs office of the Department of Agriculture since 1977.

Based on trials he has done and others he has seen, he believes farmers can greatly increase their yield of lupins.

Doublegee Control In Pasture : What Is It Worth, D J. Gilbey, R. J. Lightfoot

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

A recent study showed that the cost of spraying to control a heavy doublegee infestation can be recovered in the first year of the spraying.

Controlling Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, C H. Trotman

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

Eight years of intensive work has changed annual ryegrass toxicity from an unknown killer to a manageable problem.

Ryegrass Disease Could Spread, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The disease annual ryegrass toxicity kills sheep and cattle grazing pastures which contain infected annual ryegrass. In Western Australia the first confirmed outbreak was in 1968 in the Gnowangerup area.

The disease has noe spread over a range of 450 kilometres and with a total area of perhaps 100 000 hectares. because annual ryegrass is the major sown pasture grass in W.A. the disease could spread throughout the South-West.

There are some precautions that can be taken.

Minimum Tillage For Crop Planting, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

this article is condensed from a report of studies of minimum tillage systems and research in the United Kingdom and North america during 1976.

The author, Mr Geoff Pearce, is a Senior Research Officer in the Department of Agriculture's Weed Agronomy Section. He has been associated with reduced tillage research in Western Australia for several years and undertook the study tour to gain the benefit of intensive overseas research on the subject.

Protecting Agriculture In 1976 : Three Sides Of An Apb Campaign, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A quick look at three areas in which the A.P.B. are working with landholders to protect Western Australia from invasion.

Protecting our agriculture and wildlife is not only the APB's job— it is very much the community's job also. Any suspect birds or plants must be reported immediately to the Agriculture Protection Board.

A Survey Of Shearing Times, B R. Beetson

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

When do farmers in W.A. shear their sheep, and why do they selest the times they do?

A Department of Agriculture survey attempted to answer these questions, which have important implications for the wool industry.

Wild Oats In W.A, J G. Paterson

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

A summary of background information, recent research findings and current recommendations for the control of wild oats in Western Australia.

The Control Of Annual Ryegrass, Geoffrey A. Pearce, J. E. Holmes

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

A valuable pasture plant - one of the worst weeds if cereal crops - host to a potent animal disease toxin.....annual ryegrass is the subject of intensive studies by the Department of Agriculture.

This article reviews current research into the control of annual ryegrass in crops.

The Doublegee Problem In Western Australia, D J. Gilbey

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

Doublegee is native to South Africa and is now naturalised as a serious weed of crops and pastures throughout the temperate areas of Australia.

Doublegee was introduced for cultivation as a vegetable by English migrants to the Swan River Colony in 1830, and a bed of doublegees is known to have been sown at Mr. J. Phillips' property on the Canning River in 1833. However, the plant soon became a troublesome weed and its name was changed from Cape spinach to Tanner's curse and later to doublegee.

More than 180 doublegee seedlings per square metre have been counted in a …

Docks In Western Australia, J M. Allen

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

A survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture has shown that docks are the most serious weed of the higher rainfall areas of Western Australia. They are estimated to cost farmers $400 000 annually in lost production. One of the main reasons why they are important weeds is that they regenerate rapidly from tubers and compete with desirable annual pasture species. Also the upright dock flowering stems are woody and unpalatable. Individual plants become intertwined and deter stock from grazing summer pastures.

Results from the survey of the dock problem are given in this article. The findings show that …

Extracts From The Department Of Agriculture's Annual Report, 1974-75, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The Department of Agriculture's Annual Report for the year ended June 30, 1975, took the form of short reviews of selected activities of the Department during the year.

Some of these reviews are reprinted below to give an idea of the range of activities undertaken by the Department. A limited number of copies of the full report are available to interested organisations from the Department of Agriculture, Jarrah Road, South Perth, 6151.

In past years the Department's report has taken the form of a relatively detailed technical summary of the work of each Division. Because of the large volume of …

Forty Years Of Weeds And Seeds, G R W Meadly

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

The Chief of the Department of Agriculture's Biological Services Division, Mr G. R. W. Meadly, retired on November 12, after more than 40 years with the Department.

Mr Meadly who has an international reputation for his work in weed control and seed certification, was Officer-in-Charge of the Department's Seed Certification and Weed Control Branch from 1950 to early 1972, when he was appointed Chief of the Biological Services Division.

Skeleton Weed : The 1974 Narembeen Campaign, C R. Chambers

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

Skeleton weed took an alarming, historic turn in Western Australia at the 1974 New Year.

After a decade of an almost complacent pattern—control of one or two small outbreaks annually by the Agriculture Protection Board— general alarm erupted with the discovery of big areas at Pithara and mainly Narembeen.

What followed was a massive movement and engagement of not only Department staff but also the farming community in an attempt to beat this outbreak.

The Effect Of Applied Nitrogen And Subterranean Clover On The Growth Of Doublegee, D J. Gilbey

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

Until 20 years ago doublegees in Western Australia were mainly confined to the red-brown earth soils of the wheatbelt.

Since then, they have spread to light loamy sand soils in the wheatbelt, many of which have carried subterranean clover from the mid-1940s onwards.

It has been widely presumed that the spread of doublegees on to the lighter sandy soils of W.A. can be associated with the establishment of subterranean clover on these soils.

This report summarises the results of a glasshouse experiment on the effect of clover and nitrogen on the growth of doublegee.

Faster Weed Germination With Early Cultivation, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

The key to cultural control of weeds in cereal crops is an understanding of the factors which govern germination of the weed seeds.

Covering the seed with soil keeps out light, provides a stable moisture supply and makes germination faster than if the seed is left on the soil surface.

Shallow cultivation at the start of the growing season provides the soil cover needed for fast, even germination of weed seeds.

Spray-Graze : The Answer To Weeds In Pastures, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

W.A. Department of Agriculture research leads to a new technique for weed control in pastures.

The trials which led to the development of the spray-graze technique of weed control started in Western Australia in 1966.

Since 1969, spray-graze has been tried in other States of Australia and is now recognised as the most practical method of controlling many pasture weeds.

Noxious Weed Control Policy, J A. Ritchie

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

Explanation of a new classification system which has been incorporated into the weed control policy of the Agriculture Protection Board.

Smooth-Stemmed Turnip, B J. Quinlivan, A. C. Devitt

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

Cruciferous weeds are common throughout the agricultural areas of Western Australia. They include wild turnip, wild mustard, wild radish, charlock and raphistrum weed or short fruited turnip.

Another one—tentatively named smooth-stemmed turnip—has recently been sighted. Its exact weed potential will not be known for some years, but it is likely to spread through the south coastal districts where the climate and sandy surfaced soils favour its growth.

Annual Pasture And Weed Plant Ecology, B J. Quinlivan

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

The purpose of this article is to outline a few basic principles of pasture and weed ecology with particular reference to seed dormancy mechanisms.

These principles apply to many pasture plants and weeds, although their relative importance varies with the particular plants under study.

Rapeseed. 1. Establishing A Healthy Crop, M L. Poole, M. G. Mason

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

No abstract provided.

The Control Of Weeds In Lawns, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

MOST lawns have weeds growing in them at some time during the year and in some lawns weed control becomes a major problem.

Management Of Dry Land Lucerne In The South-West, R Sprivulis

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

MANY dry land lucerne stands have been successfully established in the dairying areas of the South-West.

With good management these can remain productive for many years; poor management can greatly reduce their productive life.

Cotton Bush (Asclepias Fruticosa L.) : Garden Plant Now A Noxious Weed, G R W Meadly

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

THE cotton bush is native to South Africa but is now naturalised in most tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. Its spread is, in no small measure, due to being grown frequently as a garden subject.

Calotropis Or Rubber Tree (Calctropis Procera (Linn.) Dryand), G R W Meadly

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

TWO SPECIES of Calotropis have been introduced to the northern parts of Western Australia. They are closely related in most respects but differ in one fundamental feature which decides their significance as undesirable plants.

The Control Of Annual (Wimmera) Ryegrass In Cereal Crops, Geoffrey A. Pearce, B. J. Quinlivan

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

The annual ryegrasses are valuable pasture plants in Western Australia, yet have become one of the major weed problems in cereal crops.

The key to cultural control of annual ryegrasses in cereal crops is an understanding of the factors which govern germination of the seed.

Covering the seed with soil keeps out light and provides a more stable moisture supply, bringing about a faster rate of germination. This is the basis of control programmes recommended in this article.

Recommendations for chemical control are also included.

How Profitable Are Herbicides For Weeds In Crops?, J W. Malcolm, G. A. Pearce

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

BEFORE spending money on chemical weed control in crops, a farmer needs to know how profitable the operation will be. He may also be influenced by other things such as the need for weed-free seed, but the most important consideration should be an increased cash return.

If a herbicide is used to control weeds in a crop, the extra yield achieved must be worth more than the cost of the herbicide and its application for the treatment to be profitable.

This article gives guidelines to help farmers estimate the likely profitability of herbicide treatments for quota and non-quota crops.

The Control Of Weeds In Linseed And Rape, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

Like all crops linseed and rapeseed can suffer from weed competition.

Linseed is highly susceptible to weed competition, while rape is susceptible to the chemicals used to kill broad-leaved weeds, so both crops pose special problems.

As in other broad-acre crops, cultural methods usually provide the best means of weed control.

A Cheaper Herbicide For Wild Oats, Geoffrey A. Pearce

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

A NEW herbicide, *NEOBAN, will reduce the cost of chemical for the control of wild oats in wheat and barley to $2.50 per acre.

Because of the cost of herbicides for wild oats during the past two years, the acreage treated has been declining steadily.

Farmers who thought that spending about $4 per acre was worth while will be delighted with Neoban.