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Protecting WA Crops Issue 27 - February 2023
No full textProtecting WA Crops Issue 27 - February 2023 contents: Glyphosate alternatives for summer and pre-seeding knockdown weed control Meet Crop Protection team member – Cindy Websterhttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fc_pwac/1000/thumbnail.jp
Ergot and Sterility in Bahiagrass: Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Seed Yield Potential
No full textErgot disease (Claviceps paspali) and sterility have the potential to reduce seed yield in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flüggé). Our objective was to determine the genotypic and environmental effects on seed yield, and the levels of ergot and sterility. Seventeen genotypes were evaluated in three locations across two years for seed yield, ergot severity, and total seed fractions (percentage of full seeds, ergot sclerotia and empty seeds). The percentage of full seeds and total seed yield were correlated (r = 0.52) but both were negatively correlated with the percentage of ergot sclerotia (r = −0.81 and −0.51). Empty seeds were negatively correlated with full seeds (r = −0.39), but not with ergot sclerotia and total seed yield. The genotype effect was significant for total seed yield and severity of infection with large heritabilities (H2 = 0.92 and 0.86) but had no effect on the percentage of the seed fractions. Location and the interaction with genotype explained most of the variation in the percentage of the seed fractions and their weight. Ergot and sterility were significant detrimental factors, genotype was a major determinant of ergot levels and seed yield, while non-genetic factors were co-determinants in constructing the seed yield potential but were the main determinants of the yield potential realization
Sandy Soil Constraints Organic and Clay Amendments to Improve the Productivity of Sandy Soils
No full textDeep sands occupy globally over 900 million hectares. In addition, large areas of soils have sandy A horizons overlaying B horizons with significant amounts of clay. The sand content of these soils varies but more importantly variations in the minor clay and organic matter constituents have a major bearing on the edaphic properties of sands. The fundamental limitation of sandy soils is their low reactive surface area. The limited capacity to supply resources, water or nutrients, to the roots of crops is the core reason for the low productivity of crops and pastures on sandy soils. Sands commonly suffer from multiple limitations, including multiple nutrient deficiencies, acidity, dense packing, low water-holding capacity, low fertilizer use efficiency, and water repellence. In addition, leaching of nutrients and agricultural chemicals, acidification, subsoil compaction, and wind erosion are degradation risks of sands. Breakthrough technologies to increase the performance of sands involve permanent increases in the reactive surface area with added clay, recalcitrant organic matter, or both to address the inadequate supply of resources. There is still an incomplete understanding of why and when amendment options on sands will be effective. The opportunity exists to develop cost-effective, novel amendments with high reactive surface area for long-term amelioration of sandy soils
Exploring the potential of electric weed control: A review
No full textWeed management is a significant challenge that must be addressed both globally and in Australia, where traditional methods of control have become limited. The avoidance of mechanical practices has resulted in reduced erosion but has also led to an increased reliance on chemicals and a subsequent increase in rates of herbicide resistance. To address this challenge, alternative forms of weed management, such as electric weed control (electro-weeding), need to be considered. Electric weed control functions by transferring electrical current through the target plant following electrode contact, causing its cells to burst and either killing the plant or suppressing its growth. However, a multitude of variables, such as electrical power and speed of application, weed morphology and site-specific environmental conditions, can impact the use of electric weed control and its efficacy. While electric weed control holds promise and despite its recent global popularity with numerous companies producing machinery, the applicability, efficacy, and risks of using electric weed control internationally and in Australia have yet to be thoroughly analysed. Given the existing knowledge gaps, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the theory and recent advancements in electric weed control. Additionally, the review discusses the potential for resistance development and safety risks associated with electric weed control and presents an overview of modern machines and their application in various settings. It also highlights the need for further research to determine the applicability and efficacy of implementing this new weed control method before widespread adoption and integration into pest management strategies
Report on and recommendations arising from the visit of Dr Michael Warne (University of Queensland) and Robert Sluggett to Kununurra
No full textDr Michael Warne of the Reef Catchments Science Partnership and Robert Sluggett of Farmacist Pty Ltd were invited by Richard George of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to visit Kununurra, Western Australia.
The project was financially supported by the National Water Grid Authority project “Managing water quality to enable future irrigation development in the Kimberley Region”. The aim of the visit was for Dr Warne and Rob Sluggett to engage with farmers, key stakeholders and staff from DPIRD in order to understand the agriculture and water quality in the Ord and Keep river region; and to share their experience of working with Queensland farmers, stakeholders and government to improve land management practices that minimise the off-site transport of pesticides and selecting the use of pesticides that pose lower risk to aquatic ecosystems. The visit occurred over three-days.
Following the visit Dr Warne and Robert Sluggett were to write a brief report summarising their observations and making a series of recommendations on how to improve the situation so that pesticide pollution and their potential environmental impacts are kept to a minimum
Land use and dingo baiting are correlated with the density of kangaroos in rangeland systems
No full textRangelands worldwide have been subject to broadscale modification, such as widespread predator control, introduction of permanent livestock water and altered vegetation to improve grazing. In Australia, these landscape changes have resulted in kangaroos (i.e. large macropods) populations increasing over the past 200 years. Kangaroos are a key contributor to total grazing pressure and in conjunction with livestock and feral herbivores have been linked to land degradation. We used 22 years of aerial survey data to investigate whether the density of 3 macropod species in the southern rangelands of Western Australia was associated with: (i) land use, including type of livestock, total livestock, density of feral goats, type of land tenure, and kangaroo commercial harvest effort; (ii) predator management, including permitted dingo control effort, estimated dingo abundance, and presence of the State Barrier Fence (a dingo exclusion fence); and (iii) environmental variables: ruggedness, rainfall, fractional cover, and total standing dry matter. Red kangaroos (Osphranter rufus) were most abundant in flat, open vegetation, on pastoral land, where area permitted for dingo control was high, and numbers were positively associated with antecedent rainfall with a 12-month delay. Western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) were most abundant on flat, agricultural land, but less abundant in areas with high permitted dingo control. Euros (Osphranter robustus) were most abundant in rugged pastoral land with open vegetation, where permitted dingo control was high. While environmental variables are key drivers of landscape productivity and kangaroo populations, anthropogenic factors such as land use and permitted dingo control are strongly associated with kangaroo abundance
Panel Discussion: future readiness
No full textAdam Carrel - Ernst & Young Karen Monaghan - Our Kinds Tim Richards - Managing Director, RichGro Moderator: Meri Fatin, Founder WA Climate Leader
Transforming food and beverage waste
No full textAt Turning the Dial, Francesca Goodman-Smith’s topic was Transforming food and beverage waste. Francesca is the Program Leader – Transformation, Fight Food Waste CRC. Francesca has a background in nutrition and food science and a Master’s in Science. Francesca’s focus is food waste and she has experience across government, NGOs, academia and the private sector. Francesca is the TRANSFORM program lead with the Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre. Francesca is also co-chair of the Upcycled Food Association\u27s Standards Committee and International Representative to the University of Otago\u27s Food Waste Innovation Research Theme. Francesca is passionate about sustainable resource use and creating innovative solutions to environmental challenges
Data intermediate assessment: Examining the suitability of a novel depletion model for use in a spiny lobster fishery
No full textThe choice of assessment technique for a fishery with some, but not large amounts of data (intermediate data fishery), can be complex and depends on their suitability to the available data set(s) at an optimum resolution and appropriateness of model assumptions. Various “appropriate” techniques may have different output biases and understanding these is essential for robust fisheries management. We tested the suitability of an extended depletion model to assess a crustacean population using simulated data that replicated fishing patterns of a southern rock lobster (SRL) fishery in Western Australia. This simulation showed the model was appropriate for use and robust to assumptions including predetermined parameter choice and whether lobsters moulted during the fitted period. Although natural mortality was shown to have the biggest influence on model outputs (when compared to assumptions on moulting and fishing efficiency), its actual impact was minimal. When applied to the SRL resource off Western Australia, the model indicated that the stock has been heavily fished and reduced to almost 20 % of virgin levels. In recent years exploitation rates have declined due to external factors such as market access. This has resulted in a rapid increase in biomass, and model projections suggest that, with current catches, the biomass will return to 50 % of virgin levels within 10 years. Testing the modelling approach on a fishery with intermediate data provisions through simulation, has provided confidence in applying this technique to derive improved estimates for management
State of the Fisheries: Status reports and aquatic resources of Western Australia 2022/23
No full textAquatic resources within Western Australia (WA) are in good condition, and this has positioned WA as a global leader in sustainable fisheries management. The sustainable fisheries of WA continue to support our strong economy and regional communities. Nonetheless, the lack of a consistent approach to build in the knowledge of Traditional Owners remains a gap in our longer term fisheries science in Western Australia.
Climate change and climate variability continues to impact fish stocks, challenging our ability to effectively monitor, assess, and manage fish stocks. We are continually working with our stakeholders, and the broader community to be adaptive, responsive, and innovative to derive updated scientific advice. A significant challenge is trying to predict what the future state of our fish resources and the ecosystems that support them. In particular, we are aiming to explore innovative techniques within the burgeoning field of molecular genetics to better understand how the regional distribution of key fish resources may be impacted, and the resilience of key species to climate change. Aligned with this is the need to better evaluate how environmental change impacts the carrying capacity of the various habitat-types across our diverse array of regions.
As we explore new opportunities and new data streams, improve our assessment methodologies, and update stock assessments, this new information is expected to increase the efficacy of our assessments of the status of some stocks. This information underpins management advice and provides managers with appropriate resource specific measures to ensure sustainability.
I am pleased to announce that in this year’s edition we include a section on Aboriginal engagement in aquatic science for the first time. The Aquatic Science and Assessment section now has a dedicated team, the Aboriginal Engagement Science Team (AEST), to ensure we are open to engaging with Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia on matters of interest to them. I acknowledge that this group is at an early stage of development and cannot attend to all queries. Nonetheless, it’s an initial step for DPIRD in the aquatic science space, and within the broader reconciliation directions of the Department.
Dr Dan GaughanChief Fisheries Scientisthttps://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/an_sofar/1015/thumbnail.jp