Late or Irish blight of potatoes

Late or Irish Blight, caused by the fungus Phythophthora infestans, is the most destructive disease of potatoes in many countries. Fortunately it has proved to be uncommon in the main potato areas of Western Australia as suitable weather for its epidemic development seldom occurs for sufficiently long periods. The disease is encouraged by periods of warm muggy weather during the day, followed by relatively cool night temperatures

Plant disease - crown gall of fruit trees

Crown gall is a widespread bacterial disease which affects many different plants. It is most frequently noticed on fruit trees particularly pome and stone fruits, but it also attacks grapes, berry plants, and ornamentals, including roses

Brown rot and collar rot of citrus

Plant disease Brown rot is a serious disease of citrus, which fortunately has proved to be readily controllable. It attacks both leaves and fruits causing partial or complete defoliation, and a rather characteristic fruit rot. The disease may also affect the bark of citrus trees in the basal trunk region resulting in collar rot, or as it is sometimes called, brown rot gummosis. This phase of the disease will be referred to later

Shot hole of stone fruits

Shot hole of stone fruits caused by the fungus Clasterposporium carpel s philum occurs yearly and is more difficult to control than Leaf Curl. It is often particularly damaging on early almonds, peaches, plums and apricots which come into growth in late winter or early spring while the weather is still cold and wet

The effect of soil fungicides and fumigants on the growth of subterranean clover on new light land.

Summary A SUBTERRANEAN clover establishment difficulty is described, which occurs on new scrubplain soils in Western Australia, and is caused by a widespread seedling mortality, associated with faulty nodulation. During an exploratory investigation conducted on a problem lateritic podsolic soil at Wongan Hills Research Station, the following preliminary results were obtained:— 1. In unsterilised soil very poor establishment of subterranean clover was obtained due to faulty nodulation and heavy losses from seedling mortality. 2. In soil sterilised with vapam and formaldehyde fumigants before planting an excellent stand of well-nodulated plants developed. 3. Partial soil sterilisation resulting from the use of certain fertiliser-fungicide mixtures also promoted good establishment with adequate nodulation. 4. It is concluded that seedling mortality of subterranean clover, as it occurs in this area, is caused by indigenous soil micro-organisms which prevent nodulatio

Topical notes on seed pelleting

IT is evident from recent correspondence, that during the coming season, many farmers wish to test the method of inoculating and pelleting seeds developed by the Department of Agriculture for treating seeds of plants such as subterranean clover. They are anxious to know how the pelleted seed is prepared, the conditions under which it may prove advantageous, and details regarding availability and cost of materials

Hormone weedicide injury to grape vines

During the present season, serious injury to grape vines from 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T, proprietary weedicides, has been noticed on two occasions. In each case the damage, which included killing of vines outright, was brought about by spraying weeds between the rows or on headlands

Plant disease - Ascochyta blight of peas

This disease of peas which is generally termed black spot or stem rot by growers is widespread in Western Australia. During the wet winter months the disease is often so severe that it is difficult to grow garden pea varieties satisfactorily; but in summer when hot, dry conditions usually prevail the disease is of little consequence

Black rot of cabbage, cauliflower and related plants

BLACK ROT is a widespread disease which attacks many kinds of cruciferous plants. In Western Australia, it is most prevalent and serious on cabbage and cauliflower, but it may also attack many other related plants, including brussels sprout, broccoli, turnip, swede, and a number of weeds such as mustard and wild radish

Plant disease - spotted wilt of tomatoes

Spotted wilt is a serious virus disease which attacks a wide range of plants. It is best known as a disease of tomatoes and on this host it occurs in all the main tomato-growing areas. In commercial crops, losses vary considerably from year to year and from district to district, but generally they are greatest in crops planted in late winter and spring. As spotted wilt also attacks many common weeds, ornamental plants, and some vegetables, it is often prevalent in home gardens. Although losses from tomato spotted wilt cannot be entirely prevented, they can now be materially reduced by routine applications of D.D.T