Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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 …

Time And Rate, Comparative Fungicide, Fungicide Application Method Trial, Clover Scorch Economy Demonstrations, A Bokor

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Time and Rate Trial 75AL33 Comparative Fungicide Trial 75AL34. Fungicide Application Method Trial 75D8. Clover Scorch Economy Demonstrations 75AL35.

1975 Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins - Long Term Rotation Trials, Ian Rowland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins 75A4, 75BA6, 75E4, 75GE9, 75JE9, 75MT6, 75N028, 75WH9. Long Term. Rotation Trials W56H, 66M29, 67Cl3, 67N4, 68E5, 68SG5, 69GE20, 73SG16. Soil Fertility - Grain Lupins Use of the stage 4 lupin variety trials to assess the effect of a year of sweet grain lupins on a following cereal crop was continued. The 1974 variety trials contained a number of lupin varieties randomised with two standard wheat varieties. Also at two times of planting. Eight trials were selected: 74GE26 at Morawa, 74BA7 at Badgingarra, 74WH8 at Wongan Hills, 74N08 at Bolgart, 74A8 at Beverley, 74MT8 at …

1975 Drought Responses Of Wheat Cultivars - Environment Responses Of Subterranean Clover., R N. Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Environment responses of subterranean clover. Aim - To clarify the responses of four cultivars to temperature, vernalisation and photoperiod. Method - Dinninup, Midland B, Geraldton and Blackwood sub clover was grown in phytotron cabinets under 14 hour and 10 hour photoperiods and temperatures 10°c day/5°c night, l5/l0°c, 20/l5°C, 25/20°c. A seed vernalisation treatment of 6 weeks refrigeration of swelled seed was included. Dissections were made to observe first floral initiation and first flower production was noted. Conclusions - Higher temperatures either had no effect or delayed floral initiation, but accelerated flower development greatly from initiation to anthesis. Photoperiod and vernalisation …

1975 Phosphorus And Sulphur Group Results, J. W. Bowden, B. Scurr, R Lunt, M Baker

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Stocking X Super Rate - 66M30, 68BR7. Residual Value of Superphosphate - 66 & 68LG1, 66ME3, 66NO7, 67NO11, 67NO5, 74GE2, 74MO7, 74MO8. Maintainance P X S Trials - 65A1, 65C5, 65N5, 67NO11, 68AL3, 68B1, 69AL2, 69AL3, 69E6, 69WH15. Miscellaneous trials - Rates and Methods of Super on Wheat Lupins and Clover 74LG5, 75A20 and 21; 75ES5, 6, and 7; 75GE6 and 7; 75JE7, 75JE5, 75KA3 and 4; 75LG4 and 7; 75LG26; 75MO9, 75MO28, 75NA4, 75NO5 and 6. High Rainfall Pasture Trials - 75AL4 and 5; 75AR3 and 4; 75BR11, 12, and 13; 75BY5, 6, and 8; 75BU8 and 10; 75DE2, …

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.

Fruit In W.A., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The main fruit growing districts of Western Australia are in the Mediterranean climate areas of the south-west. Apples, pears, stonefruit, citrus and vines are grown on a commercial basis. Figs, mulberries and olives are also grown, but not in big commercial quantities.

Lupin Agronomy: Time Of Planting, Seeding Rate And Variety In A Long Season Area., M. W. Perry

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

To evaluate lupin varieties and agronomic practices in a long season district using a factorial experimental design. 74A16a Location - Warriup 57 km E. of .Albany. 74A16b Green Range, 70 km E. of Albany. Time of Planting (4) Seeding Rates (4) Varieties (4) Fertiliser.

Summary Of Experimental Work 1974, G Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupinus albus cv WB2: Maximum yield response to 36 plants/m2 at Avondale (1973 and 1974) and Mt Barker Research Station in 1973 (achieved with 180 to 200 kg/ha seed rate), Maximum yield response to 48 plants/m2 at Chapman 1973 and 1974 and at Eradu 1974 (achieved with 220 tG 240 kg/ha). Very good yield results: Season - site Avondale 1973-3300, 1974-2250. kg/ha Chapman 1973-2800, 1974-2400. Mt Barker 1973-1900. 74A2 - Rates Of seeding for L, albus cv WB2. 74A21 - Rates of super on two lupin varieties. 74BR1 - Pasture regeneration after lupin survey. 74C4 - Rates of seeding L. …

Grain Moisture Problems On The South Coast, J A. Parish, G. H. Jones

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

In most West Australian grain growing districts high temperatures and dry weather at grain maturation are ideal for harvesting and enable delivery of grain with acceptable moisture levels. Grain from W.A. is known in world markets as a good quality dry product which is unlikely to deteriorate in storage. However, growers in coastal areas and particularly those south of Narrogin sometimes have trouble harvesting grain below the receival limit of 12 per cent moisture.

Grain Moisture And The Weather : What Can The Records Tell Us?, M W. Perry, P. A. Fievez

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

The expansion of cereal production in areas along the south coast has exposed harvesting problems associated with high grain moisture.

A grain delivery standard of 12 per cent moisture means that, in the absence of grain drying facilities, harvesting times in the field are restricted to those hours when grain moisture falls below this figure.

Grain moisture, however, remains the major problem and for planning purposes, producers require an estimate of the harvesting time available in a given year. This will depend on all the climatic variables which affect grain moisture. These include rainfall and dew which deposit water directly …

Conservation Of The National Estate, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

In 1973 the Australian Government established a Committee of Inquiry under Mr. Justice R. M. Hope to inquire into the National Estate. Under its terms of reference the Committee was to assess the nature and condition of the National Estate and the measures which were being and should be taken for its preservation and enhancement.

Officers of the Department of Agriculture recognise that there are basic natural resources such as land, water, gene material and ecosystems which are essential elements of the National Estate held in trust by successive generations.

In a submission to the Inquiry, matters of particular concern …

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.

Forage Production From Shrubs On Saline Land, C V. Malcolm

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

In the first volume of the Journal of the Department of Agriculture in the year 1900, the results of experiments at Tulare Experiment Station in California on the growing of Australian saltbushes are reported.

Seed was first sent from Australia by Baron von Mueller in June, 1881. Three species of saltbush (A. semibaccata, A. numularia and A. vesicaria) are all reported to have grown well.

Although C. A. Gardner in 1929 suggested the growing of saltbushes for forage, the earliest and clearest recommendations are those of Teakle and Burvill in 1945.

Early research tended to concentrate mainly on the possibility …

Interim Summary 1974 Experiments, M L. Poole

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Data presented for: 74MT38 - Variety Trial - New rape and radish varieties 74MT27 - Rates of seed, time of planting on Crambe abyssinica 74GE'1 ·- Time of Seeding X Rate of Nitrogen on Sunflowers. Oilseed and Grain Legumes under Summer Irrigation. Sunflower Progress Report. Safflower Progress Report. Response of Oilseed Crops to Climate. Introduction - The results given in this report provide an interim record of 1974 experimental work with oilseed crops. An essential part of oilseed trial programme is an evaluation of the quantity and quality of oil produced by different species and varieties under a range of …

Summary Of Experimental Results - Wheat Protein Survey, R Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Wheat protein survey Seeding rate x grain protein - 72NA33. Seeding rate x grain protein - 72M28. Temperature effects on flower set of lupin - 72GL4. Wheat protein survey - A survey of 130 farmers in 13 Shires of the high protein area around Merredin was undertaken in the few weeks prior to the 1972 harvest. Grain samples were forwarded by farmers after supplying site data including yield estimate. A soil sample was collected on which % soil N was determined. This information together with grain protein percentage was included in multiple regression, and stepwise regression analyses.

Long Term Rotation Trials - Annual Summary Of Results 1975, Ian Rowland

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Long term rotation trials: Results are the yield of grain harvested from crops grown after various lengths of pasture ley. W56H, 66M29, 67C13, 67N4, 68SG5,

1974 Trace Element Nutrition, J. W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1 • Mineral nutrition of sweet lupins 74M031, 74M032, 74M033, 74M034, 74M035, 74M036, 74M09, 74M038, 74BA15, 74BA16, 74BA17, 74BA18, 74AL20, 74JE19, 74ES27, 74ES28, 74E17, 74TS26, 74TS27, 74N028, (See Cox's Report)

2. Barley nutrition 74TS29.

3. Cu Zn Residual 74AL19, 66N14 (incomplete)

4. Cu or requirement of cattle 74GE30 (See May and Barker, Animal Production Report)

5. Co on sheep Badgingarra trial (See Croker's Report)

Samphire For Waterlogged Salt Land, C V. Malcolm, G. J. Cooper

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

For non-waterlogged and mildly waterlogged salt land a number of salt-tolerant shrubs may be used for forage production.

Areas which are highly saline and regularly waterlogged are not suited to these shrubs. However, during trials with shrub species, samphires (Arthrocnemum spp.) were found to volunteer and grow well on these sites.

Research into the use of samphires has shown that it is possible to harvest seed and obtain a seed sample suitable for sowing through a drill. Established samphire stands provide useful grazing in many parts of the Western Australian wheatbelt.

Clover Scorch: Summary Of 1974 Experiments, D. L. Chatel

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Experiments reported in this summary were conducted jointly with CM Francis. 1. Variety Screening - During 1974, two hundred and fifty-four varieties were screened for resistance to Kabatiella caulivora in small plots at Denmark. The test varieties included 49 that showed up as promising in previous years. The remainder included all the untested accessions for which sufficient seed was available. There were 239 sub. sp. Subterranean, 14 sub, sp. Yanninicum and 1 Brachycalycinum... - The plots were periodically inoculated with infected debris and rated for disease severity on a number of occasions. Lists of the most and least resistant clovers …

Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereals: Results From 1974 Trials With Wheat, Barley And Oats, M G. Mason

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

74A1, 74A3, 74AL5, 74AL4, 74C3, 74E2, 74ES31, 73GLI, 74JE1, 74JE2, 74LG1, 74LG2, 74LG3, 74LG6, 61M11, 74MT17, 74NO1, 74NO2, 74WH2.

Pasture Species Investigations - High Rainfall Area 1974, D. A. Nicholas

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Clover cultivar grazing trial North Bannister - 68NA1. 2. Clover cultivar grazing trial Chowerup - 70BR15. 3. Clover cultivars x redlegged mite - Chowerup - 70BR16. 4. Pasture types x stocking rate: - Denmark - 72D1. 5. Stocking rate and conservation for steer beef production - Mt. Barker Research Station - 71MT46. 6. Perennial versus annual grass grazing trial - Manjimup Research Station - 72MN5 - 72MN6

Summary Of 1974 Phosphorus And Sulphur Group, J W. Bowden, B. Scurr, R Lunt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Stocking x Super Rate - Merredin - 66M30. Twitcham - 62MB9. Kojonup - 68BR7. Maintenance P x S Trials - I. Residual Value - 66N07 and 66ME3. II. Wheatbelt Rate Trials - 67N011, 66LG1, 68LG1, 67NO5, 6NA3, 67GE2, 66M06 and 67M01. III. Wheatbelt Research Stations and Farmers- 65C5, 65A1, 65N5,69WH15 and 66N09. IV. Higher Rainfall Area Trials - 68B1, 68BU2, 68BR5,68AL3, 69E6, 69AL2 and 69AL3. Miscellaneous Trials - 74GE2, 74GE4, 74GE5,74JE3, 74LG4, 74M06, 74M07, 74TS3, 74NA3 74NA4, 74M07, 74TS4.

1974 Potash Trials 2. Yield Data, W. J. Cox

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Experiment nos: 74AL1, 74AL2, 74AR1, 74AR2,74BU1, 74BU2, 74BU3, 74BU4, 74BY1, 74 BY2, 74BY3, 74DE1, 74DE2, 74DE3, 74DE4, 74DE5, 74DE6, 74HA1, 74HA2, 74HA3, 74MA1, 74MA2, 74MA3, 74MO1, 74MO2, 74MO3, 74NA1, 74NA2.

1974 The Ecology And Control Of Doublegee (Emex Australis) And Emex Spinosa, D J. Gilbey

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The objectives of the field experimental programme for 1974 were to - 1) Evaluate a technique to measure pasture loss as a result of doublegee infestation at Merredin, Wongan.Hills and Chapman. 2) Evaluate the effect of cultural and herbicide treatment combinations on the magnitude and distribution of viable doublegee seeds in the soil at Avondale, Merredin, Wongan Hills and Chapman. 3) Measure the magnitude and distribution of viable doublegee seeds in the soil from paddocks representing each year of a two crop, plus three year pastureley rotation at Avondale, Merredin, Wongan Hills and Chapman. 4) Screen herbicides for selective control …

Pasture Deterioration - High Rainfall Areas, D J. Gillespie

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

a. Pasture deterioration - High rainfall areas - A farm at Karridale (near Augusta) exhibiting "classic" pasture deterioration symptoms was closely monitored throughout 1974. This farm has paddocks ranging from relatively newly sown pastures with a high clover percentage, few weeds and high dry matter production (resown 1973 and 1974), through to extremely poor pastures with as little as 3 % clover and a weed component of over 80% (resown 1970 and 1971)... b. Midland B competition studies (69Mt19) -This grazing trial was sown in 1969 to plots of pure Midland B, pure Woogenellup and to three mixtures of the …

Weed Trials 1974 Summary - Annual Ryegrass Control - Wild Oats - Cereal Tolerance To 2,4-D - Annual Ryegrass Toxicity, G. A. Pearce

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

A herbicide trial and demonstration was commenced in 1973 and the treatment repeated in 1974. the objective was to control the annual ryegrass which was the dominant species and allow the scattered plants of sub clover to re-establish a clover dominant pasture. (See table) Despite the high reduction of seed stalks formed on some treatments in 1973 the ryegrass was only reduced by 50 per cent on the best treatment in 1974, The reduction in seed production in 1974 will no doubt further reduce the density of ryegrass in 1975 but eradication is unlikely. The value of burning in destroying …

Pasture Species Investigations - Wheat Belt (May, 1975), N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Results from trials comparing the growth and persistence of a number of annual pasture legumes are presented in this report. Rainfall conditions during the year are described briefly and a table of annual and growing season rainfall at relevant centres is appended. The experiments are grouped as follows according to average annual rainfall:- Zone A - Average annual rainfall > 400 mm Zone B - Average annual rainfall 345 - 400 mm Zone C - Average annual rainfall < 345 mm and then, further, on soil type. District Rainfall, 1974. 71LG16,, 72LG3, 74KA3, 70OTS2, 72TS5, 70NA3, 71TS22, 74NO3, 70ME4. The early break, with good rainfall continuing through most of the growing season, provided optimal conditions for most wheat belt trials. These conditions were in direct contrast to the dry years of the late 1960's and early 1970's. In 1974, legume growth on droughty deep sands should have been at its best. Serradella responded at Kukerin in direct relationship with earlier heavy dressings of potash. West of Three Springs, serradella and Tornafield medic stayed a little ahead of Harbinger medic and well ahead of Daliak sub. clover and rose clover. On deep sands at Marchagee and Arrino, subterranean clover was the only species worth considering. The failure of Eragrostis curvula to persist through the dry 1973-74 summer after good germination in late winter, indicates a need for more work on the establishment of this grass on deep sands. The low yields of dry matter at Tincurrin do not offer much incentive for such work, but Eragrostis, lupins and serradella probably give the best chance of pasturing the grossly infertile, erodable sands. Under favourable conditions, Geraldton sub. clover continued to show its versatility and aggressiveness. On an alkaline loamy sand at Lake King, waterlogged for periods during the winter, Dwalganup, Geraldton and Northam A produced more dry matter than a wide range of other pasture legumes. At Walgoolan, Geraldton maintained better than 503 content in mixtures with other sub. clover cultivars sown in 1970, while in a trial at Marchagee there was evidence of gradual, aggressive regeneration of Geraldton from a sparse pasture sown before the trial. Only two new legume species trials were planted in 1974, and these were not successful. Trial 74KA3, east of Katanning, demonstrated the need for timely planting. Had seed been available on time, the trial would have been planted before the onset of heavy rains and would have given better results. The failure of Tornafield and Harbinger on 74N03 should not weight the record unduly against these medics; :they have never excelled on clay loams, and they were sorely harassed by redlegged earthmite. The medics will not be replanted, but Northam A and Geraldton will be observed in 1975. :

Drought Effects On Wheat Cultivars Using Trickle Irrigation, R N. Weir

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 74M32 - The trial was aimed at - 1. Looking for cultivar differences in drought tolerance: particularly involving Gamenya and Insignia. 2. Considering trickle irrigation as a means of controlled water application. Four cultivars were sown at the end of July in salmon gum soil at Merredin. Drought effects on four wheat cultivars in controlled environment Trial 74GL8 - This work was aimed at assessing the performance of the cultivars Gamenya, Gambee, Darkan and Insignia under controlled moisture stress.

Dairying In W.A., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Western Australia has a small dairy industry compared with its other rural production. However, the industry has consolidated over recent years.Tree clearing and pasture development on existing holdings and the amalgamation of small dairy farms has led to a rapid increase in the area of pasture per farm. The trend in Western Australia is towards bigger herds, more efficient dairies, more fodder conservation and increasing production per cow and per hectare. Commercial dairy farming in Western Australia is confined to the south-western corner of the State, south of Perth, extending in a 50-kilometre-wide strip along the coast to 50 kilometres …