Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Banana Industry At Carnarvon, John Roger Burt

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

In viewing the semi-arid conditions of the West Gascoyne, visitors are surprised to see a thriving banana industry at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, 930 kilometres north of Perth. The natural vegetation in the plantation area consists mainly of stunted gums, low acacia scrub and salt bush.

Despite the adverse climatic conditions, the average yields of Carnarvon bananas are double those of banana areas in other states.

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M G. Mason

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

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, the farmer needs some understanding of how these factors work.

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 …

Decide : How Much Superphosphate, G A. Robertson, J. W. Bowden, N. J. Halse

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

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975.

* Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply.

• DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered.

• DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer's own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is …