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Zadoks growth scale
No full textZadoks growth scale is a 0-99 scale of development that is recognised internationally for research, advisory work, and farm practice, particularly to time the application of chemicals and fertilisers
Red fox
No full textThis factsheet provides information on the red fox in Western Australia (WA).
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a native of the northern hemisphere where it occurs throughout most of Europe, Asia, North America, and the northern coast of Africa. The red fox was first introduced to Australia (Victoria) from Britain as early as 1845 for hunting with foxhounds. Having become successfully established in Victoria by about 1870, it colonised most of mainland Australia over the next 70 years. Foxes are not found in the most northern regions of Australia, including northwest Kimberley.
In WA, the fox is a declared pest under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, which is administered by the department. It is declared for the whole of the State in the management control category C3, and the prohibited keeping category.
The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories. For more information, see the WAOL list on website at dpird.wa.gov.au
Subsoil testing required to detect the rundown of soil potassium to deficient levels for wheat production on loam-textured soils
No full textContext
Long-term negative potassium (K) balances in crop production have depleted soil K levels in Western Australia (WA). Previous research has focussed on sand-textured soils, but recently, monitoring of crops grown on loam-textured soils has shown deficient or marginal shoot K concentrations where Colwell K 0–10 cm is above current critical levels.
Aims
The aims were to examine whether grain yield responses to fertiliser K can be detected on loam-textured soils and if soil test calibration curves can be identified for these soils.
Methods
Eight field trials were conducted with wheat on loam-textured soils. The same experimental design was used at all sites; six levels of K applied at sowing, from 0 to 200 kg K ha−1 with one treatment including a split application. Soil and plant test calibration curves were modelled using measurements from the trials.
Key results
Grain yield responses of 0.69 to 1.37 t ha−1 to fertiliser K (P \u3c 0.05) occurred in 4 of 8 trials. Relative yield was closely related to soil exchangeable K and the goodness of fit of the soil test calibration curves increased as the depth of sampling increased. The best soil test calibration curve was for sampling 0–40 cm.
Conclusions
This research confirms that on some loam-textured soils, yield loss is occurring to K deficiency if no K fertiliser is applied. Implications. As soil K reserves are run down, soil sampling at 0–40 cm on loam-textured soils will provide the most accurate monitoring of soil K deficiency for wheat production
Measuring soil salinity
No full textTo make sound decisions on managing saline sites, you need to know the source of salt, how salinisation is occurring, the landscape context, and most importantly, the actual salt concentration of the soil.
The most common \u27measures\u27 of salt concentration are actually estimates based on electrical conductivity of a soil and water solution. Soil salt content can be measured in a laboratory by measuring the total dissolved solids in a sample. In the field, salt concentration can also be estimated using electromagnetic induction-based soil sensors
Deferred grazing and sheep at the break of season in South West Western Australia
No full textGrazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal levels. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recommends deferring grazing of pasture paddocks at the break-of-season until feed on offer is at least 500–800 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha). At this level, pasture plants are likely to be firmly rooted and have sufficient leaf area to be productively grazed
Testing feed is vital for feed budgeting
No full textA little knowledge of the nutritional value of your supplementary feeds can save you a lot of money and hassle.
In dry seasons, it is likely that farmers will need to start supplementary feeding earlier than usual. The higher requirement for supplementary feeds over dry seasons means accurate feed budgeting becomes increasingly important to minimise feed wastage, for weaner survival, and to maintain stock at the right condition score (CS) for joining
Interdecadal stability in ecological indicators suggests no ecosystem downgrading by a long-standing shark fishery
No full textFishing without management constraints considerably alters stocks, habitats, and ecosystems. Assessing fishing impacts at multiple levels is required to inform ecosystem-based management. We applied a range of ecological indicators to assess potential ecosystem effects resulting from the activities of a long-standing shark fishery in Western Australia. Following considerable fishing reductions triggered by the implementation of a range of management measures, the fishery\u27s spatial distribution, catch composition, and taxonomic and functional diversity indicators have fluctuated, even though remaining relatively stable through time, suggesting no systematic impacts on ecosystem structure
Managing aphids and viruses in lupins
No full textAphids reduce yields by direct feeding damage, which causes flower and pod abortion and occasionally plant death in lupins. The extent of damage varies between seasons, but losses can be severe in years that favour aphid population development.
Lupins are most vulnerable to aphids during budding and flowering, as severe feeding damage on growing tips can cause buds to drop, flowers to abort, and reduced pod set. Some lupin varieties are more susceptible to aphids than others.
Aphids transmit serious virus diseases, which reduce yields and contaminate seed stocks. Some species of aphids are more difficult to control than others
Herbicide application
No full textHerbicides can be applied by a variety of means, including boom sprayers, aerial spraying, misters, blanket wipers, rope wick applicators, weed seekers and back-pack sprayers. This fact sheet reviews the different methods, including nozzles and calibration of equipment, used to apply herbicides
Rust disease and its management in faba beans
No full textFaba bean rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae) is host specific, meaning it does not infect cereals or other break crops. The rust is not widespread in Western Australia but low to moderate levels occur in the Esperance and Katanning regions. Individual crops suffer yield losses in some years.
Rust has also been recorded in the high rainfall region in the northern agricultural area, around Dongara.
This page summarises the symptoms, infection cycle, disease risk and spread, and management recommendations for faba bean rust disease