MELEES - e-support or mayhem?

This paper reports on progress in developing a web-based environment to support non-specialist mathematics students taking University level Mathematics as a compulsory subject in their first and second years. The scale and diversity of the service teaching provision at Nottingham invites the use of a technology-based framework in order to make available the ‘good practice’ features developed both locally and elsewhere. Initially the two year development is focusing on: • establishing a supportive environment; • providing feedback to students, their lecturers and importantly to their home Schools; • identifying and supporting e-learning strategies; • improving student motivation. Current activities have been primarily directed to the first three bullet points

Bare patch and poor emergence of cereals : factors under investigation. 1. Seed treatment and moisture content

UNDER the relatively dry climatic conditions of Western Australia, over-dosages of organic mercury dusts had no apparent ill-effects upon wheat emergence, irrespective of the initial moisture content of the seed. However, seedling counts were significantly less, with seed of a high moisture content

Root diseases in wheat on clover ley : factors under investigation. 2. Relative susceptibility of wheat and barley

ROOT ROTS of wheat and barley are caused by several fungi, the most important in Western Australia being Fusarium spp., Helminthosporium sativum and Ophiobolus graminis. Local surveys have shown that the incidence of each organism varies with district and also depends on other factors, such as seasonal conditions and cultural practices. The relative susceptibility of wheat and barley to these fungi has never been studied in detail under local conditions, although many such investigations have been conducted overseas

Septoria leaf spot of tomatoes

SEPTORIA leaf spot was first observed on tomatoes in Western Australia in 1925. Since then it has caused serious losses, both from seedling blight and defoliation of larger plants, on many occasions in autumn and spring crops

Pasmo of linseed and flax

Pasmo is a foliage disease which may cause severe damage to plantings of linseed and flax approaching maturity. The disease is favoured by warm humid conditions and is especially destructive when crops have lodged extensively as a result of storms

Root diseases in wheat on clover ley : factors under investigation. 4. Seed bed preparation

The occurrence of root rots in wheat crops in relation to seed bed preparation was studied in a series of field experiments. Results suggest depth of cultivation has little effect upon the incidence of root diseases. Ploughing of the seed bed reduced the amount of root rot compared with scarifying and also gave higher yields. However, the increased yield appears to be mainly due to better control of weeds

Bare patch and poor emergence of cereals. 3. Crusting of the soil surface

In some seasons extensive bare patches occur in cereal crops sown on the heavier wheat belt soils. Experimental results from Beverley indicate that the poor emergence in some of these plantings may be due to crusting of the soil surface. Working the surface with light harrows may destroy the crust and improve emergence

Leaf spot of celery

T EAF SPOT is the most serious disease of celery in Western Australia, and causes heavy losses in many crops during the cold wet months of June, July and August. The disease is incited by the fungus Septoria apii Chester, and was first recorded in this State at Osborne Park in 1923. Since then it has become a limiting factor in the production of marketable celery during the winter months

A revised list of vegetables diseases recorded in Western Australia

This list of vegetable diseases constitutes a revision of portion of the census published by Carne (1925) and added to by the same author in 1927. It contains also records of diseases identified in the period between these earlier publications and December 31, 1957. The list is arranged alphabetically according to the botanical names of the host plants. In general, the viral, bacterial, fungal and nematodal diseases and physiological disorders of each host are listed in that order. The locality and date of the first record in each instance is also given whenever possible. A list of common names of host plants has been appended to facilitate reference

Powdery scab of potatoes

Powdery scab is a serious tuber disease sometimes seen in the market gardens of Coogee and Spearwood. The disease is most commonly associated with the early winter plantings and sometimes causes heavy losses to individual growers, more so in wet seasons