DPIRD Digital Library
Not a member yet
10818 research outputs found
Sort by
Links between soilborne pathogens, plant parasitic nematodes, farm management and biophysical constraints in a southern Australian rainfed cropping system
No full textContext: Rotations in rainfed farming systems of southwest Australia have shifted towards intensified cropping and it is necessary to reassess soilborne pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes within this context. Aims: We tested the hypothesis that these recent changes in rotations and agronomy have altered the efficacy with which rotations reduce the incidence of common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes. Methods: We tracked changes in common pathogen DNA in soil and the incidence and severity of crop root damage in 184 paddocks, over 6 years from 2010 to 2015, and related this to farmer practices. Key results: Overall, severe root damage was rare, with 72% of plant samples showing no damage or only a trace and only 1% severely damaged. We found that the reduction of paddocks in pasture and resultant very low weed populations, combined with early sowing, reduced persistence of pathogens and nematode pests. But some aspects of crop management had the opposite effect: high rates of herbicide, increased frequency of cereals and canola at the expense of lupin and increased N fertiliser use. Conclusions: Current agronomic practices and the frequency of non-host crops in rotations appear to be effective in controlling common root pathogens and plant parasitic nematodes. But the aspects of agronomic management that increased populations of pathogens should be applied cautiously. Implications: Studies such as this that link multiple productivity constraints, such as pathogens and nematode pests, weeds and nutrients, to management practices are important to understand the sustainability of current or proposed production methods
Cenchrus clandestinus - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus). Kikuyu (syn. Pennisetum clandestinum) is a creeping sub-tropical (C4) grass native to the highlands of east and central Africa (i.e. Kenya, Ethiopia) where it grows on deep, red loams of volcanic origin. Kikuyu forms a dense turf and is tolerant of heavy grazing and is widely used as a highly productive pasture for dairying and as a turf or lawn grass
Digitaria milanjiana - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Finger grass (Digitaria milanjiana). Finger grass is a subtropical to tropical perennial grass native to a wide range in Africa from South Africa to Ethiopia (Cook et al. 2020). It is now cultivated in Africa, Asia (Malaysia; Thailand; Vietnam), Australia (Northern Territory, Queensland), the Caribbean and in the Pacific (Fiji). Finger grass is a highly variable grass species (Hacker 1984). The growth habit varies depending on the variety, as there are stoloniferous, rhizomatous and tufted types. For example, with the commercial cultivars available in Australia; ‘Arnhem’ is a tussock habit with no stolons, while both ‘Jarra’ and ‘Strickland’ are stoloniferous
Medicago littoralis - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Strand medic (Medicago littoralis). Strand medic is a temperate annual pasture legume native to the calcareous sandy soils along the coast of the Mediterranean. It is adapted to well drained soils with a slightly acid (pHCa \u3e5.8), neutral and alkaline conditions (AAR 275-500mm). Used as a self-regenerating autumn-to-spring growing annual pasture. A minor pasture species in south-western Australia (Gillespie 2001). In experimental trials in northern Western Australia (WA) the annual legumes and herbs had good feed quality but in general, with low forage yields under irrigation, are unlikely to be economically viable (Moore et al. 2021)
Ornithopus sativus - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses French serradella (Ornithopus sativus). French serradella (pink serradella) is a temperate annual pasture legume native to the Mediterranean region. It is widely sown in south-western Australia as a break crop in a cereal cropping rotation. In experimental trials in northern Western Australia (WA) the annual legumes and herbs had good feed quality but in general, with low forage yields under irrigation, are unlikely to be economically viable (Moore et al. 2021)
Phoenix dactylifera - environmental weed risk assessment 2022
No full textIntroducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera). The date Phoenix dactylifera is one of the oldest cultivated tree crops, thought to have been domesticated in Mesopotamia (now Iraq) more than 5000 years ago. The chief commercial production areas are in the Middle East and northern Africa. Date palm plants are diecious (i.e. either male or female), with only the female plants producing fruit but requiring male plants for pollination. They require a long, hot growing season. Low humidity and the absence of summer rain help in the production of high-quality fruit. Research work at Gascoyne Research Station in the 1960s showed that good yields of quality dates could be produced. However, dates have not been produced commercially in Western Australia for a number of reasons with the lack of a supply of good planting material the biggest obstacle to commercial production. Plants grown from seed produce fruit with variable yields and quality and are not suitable for commercial production (Burt 1999). Dates are grown commercially in two regions of Australia, the South Australian Riverland and near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory (Reilly et al. 2010). Historically, dates have been grown at Eulo in Queensland and Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia, but currently there is no commercial production at these locations
Adaptalight: an inexpensive PAR sensor system for daylight harvesting in a micro indoor smart hydroponic system
No full textEnvironmental changes and the reduction in arable land have led to food security concerns around the world, particularly in urban settings. Hydroponic soilless growing methods deliver plant nutrients using water, conserving resources and can be constructed nearly anywhere. Hydroponic systems have several complex attributes that need to be managed, and this can be daunting for the layperson. Micro Indoor Smart Hydroponics (MISH) leverage Internet of Things (IoT) technology to manage the complexities of hydroponic techniques, for growing food at home for everyday citizens. Two prohibitive costs in the advancement of MISH systems are power consumption and equipment expense. Reducing cost through harvesting ambient light can potentially reduce power consumption but must be done accurately to sustain sufficient plant yields. Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) meters are commercially used to measure only the light spectrum that plants use, but are expensive. This study presents Adaptalight, a MISH system that harvests ambient light using an inexpensive AS7265x IoT sensor to measure PAR. The system is built on commonly found IoT technology and a well-established architecture for MISH systems. Adpatalight was deployed in a real-world application in the living space of an apartment and experiments were carried out accordingly. A two-phase experiment was conducted over three months, each phase lasting 21 days. Phase one measured the IoT sensor’s capability to accurately measure PAR. Phase two measured the ability of the system to harvest ambient PAR light and produce sufficient yields, using the calibrated IoT sensor from phase one. The results showed that the Adaptalight system was successful in saving a significant amount of power, harvesting ambient PAR light and producing yields with no significant differences from the control. The amount of power savings would be potentially greater in a location with more ambient light. Additionally, the findings show that, when calibrated, the AS7265x sensor is well suited to accurately measure PAR light in MISH systems
Framework for sustainable pastoral management - Land condition version
No full textThis document outlines the revised edition of the Framework for sustainable pastoral management, with a particular emphasis on the land condition components, including the monitoring, assessment and compliance processes. These processes are now being used to guide the management of land condition on all pastoral leases and stations within Western Australia (WA), which cover 860,000 km2 and represents over 40% of WA’s extensive rangeland area
Ecological risk assessment for the marine aquarium fish resource
No full textIn November 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development convened an Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) of the Western Australian fisheries that access the Marine Aquarium Fish Resource. ERAs are conducted by the Department as part of its Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management framework. Outputs of this ERA will inform future versions of the Harvest Strategy for the Resource. Additionally, this ERA is a requirement of the Wildlife Trade Operation approval for the Marine Aquarium Fish Managed Fishery (MAFMF).
Ecological impacts of the MAFMF, which is the only commercial fishery that targets the Resource, and other extractive sectors that access the Resource were assessed, including the impacts of fishing on retained species, threatened, endangered, and protected species, habitats and the broader environment.
Stakeholders invited to the ERA workshop included representatives of the commercial and recreational fishing sectors, conservation sector, Commonwealth, state and local government and James Cook University. Risk scores were based on available research and expert knowledge on species, fishing activities and fishery management. A likelihood-consequence analysis was used to estimate risk and conformed to the AS/NZS ISO 31000 risk management standard.
Forty-three ecological components were scored for risk. The majority (39) were evaluated as low or negligible risks, which do not require any specific control measures. There were four medium risks, which were assessed as acceptable under existing monitoring and control measures. The ERA did not yield any high risks. It is recommended that risks be reviewed in five years
