Plant disease - corm rots of gladioli

Several diseases of gladioli now present in Western Australia can be very damaging to the plants under certain conditions. The diseases referred to in this article attack not only the above-ground portions of the plant, but the corms also, and their introduction to new areas usually results from the planting of infected corms. When such corms are planted the disease spreads to the developing shoots and leads to inferior growth and flower production, and in some cases to the death of the plant. An even more serious feature of the disease is that the soil becomes contaminated with the organisms for an indefinite period, making future plantings extremely hazardous unless expensive soil disinfection is carried out

The testing of bacterial strains used in the inoculation of legumes

A part from their value as fodder plants, legumes such as peas, beans, clovers, vetches and lucerne play an important role in increasing soil fertility. Their value in the soil-enriching sphere has been recognised for centuries, but it is only comparatively recently that the reason for it has been fully understood

Root-knot eelworm of potatoes.

In market gardens, the widespread occurrence and economic importance of root-knot eelworm has long been recognised, but in potato-growing areas the presence of the pest is sometimes overlooked. This is because tuber quality rather than total yield is affected. With a light infection, symptoms on the tubers may escape notice even when the crop is dug. However, the planting of infested tubers may lead to the contamination of new areas, and therefore the disease should be avoided particularly in crops grown for seed

Plant diseases - Bacterial canker of stone fruits

During recent years, bacterial canker, a very serious disease of stone fruit, particularly plums, has become more widespread and caused concern to orchardists. It has now been recorded from many stone fruit districts in this State, especially in trees up to ten years old, but it seems to be most damaging in the Karragullen- Pickering Brook district, where a number of young plum plantings have been almost wiped out

List of plant parasitic eelworms recorded in Western Australia

Recent research work in many parts of the world has indicated that eelworms are responsible for many plant diseases. In Western Australia, apart from the commonly known root-knot eelworms, a number of others have been found associated with disease conditions in orchards, market gardens, etc. The following list shows the eelworm species identified to date as occurring in this State

Cereal eelworm : a new disease of cereal crops in the Geraldton area

CEREAL eelworm (Heterodera avenae) is a potentially serious disease of crops which was seen in the Geraldton area for the first time in the 1966-67 season. It was first identified in this State at Beverley in 1958 and later near Northam in 1963. The Geraldton region has been the only area found to be affected since. The disease was identified on eight properties in 1966-67, and a further ten properties in 1967- 68. There are indications that many more properties could be affected in varying degrees

Technical note - A method of inoculating and lime pelleting leguminous seeds

Since the report by Loneragan and co-workers (1), the use of lime-pelleted legume seeds has attracted considerable attention. Many queries have been received from farmers requesting information on the method of pelleting clover seed and its possible application to local conditions

Inoculation and lime-pelleting of leguminous seeds

IN Western Australia extensive areas of new land are brought under cultivation each year. Much of this virgin soil is only sparsely populated with the beneficial rhizobial bacteria which nodulate the roots of common pasture and forage legumes, such as subterranean clover, barrel medic, lucerne and field pea

Plant diseases - Bacterial canker of tomatoes / Cover spray for the control of celery leaf spot / Stunt disease in subterranean clover

Bacterial canker is perhaps the most serious disease confronting tomato growers in Western Australia. Once established in a planting, it is very difficult to control and it can also persist in the soil or on the supporting stakes from season to season. The disease was first recorded in Western Australia in December, 1945, when it was introduced in seed of the Tatura variety ex the Eastern States. Since then it has become very widespread. INVESTIGATIONS commenced during the past autumn have indicated that Bordeaux 4:4:40 is the most effective of eight fungicidal preparations tested as cover sprays for the control of celery leaf spot. THE stunt virus disease of subterranean clover, formerly referred to as little leaf, was found during the winter of 1958 in the South Coastal agricultural areas at Esperance, Gibson and Gairdner River on subterranean clover varieties Bacchus Marsh, Dwalganup and Yarloop. Reports indicate that it also occurred in 1955 at Esperance

Some recent radio talks.

Myxomatosis is losing its punch - By A. R. TOMLINSON, Chief Vermin Control Officer The results of the testing of field strains of myxomatosis just released by the Australian National University are of vital importance to every farmer in Western Australia. They show clearly that the predicted decline in the effectiveness of myxomatosis has occurred. Worse still, they reveal that the decline has been more rapid in some areas than observers anticipated. The importance of good seed in vegetable production. - By T. WACHTEL, Vegetable Adviser, Horticultural Division The seed is the foundation of the crop that eventually is to be harvested. As an American textbook on vegetable vegetable growing puts it: Within the seed coat may be locked up the key to future success or failure. A vegetable crop can be much poorer than the seed, but it cannot be better. Water conservation on the farm - By J. W. LEWIS, Irrigation Adviser, Bunbury Water conservation on the farm is becoming increasingly important in this State, and on most properties in the South-West water can be conserved easily and economically. Coupled with the use of modern spray irrigation systems, this trend may well revolutionise farming methods in years to come and lead the way to greater agricultural prosperity. Itch mite in sheep - By C. R. TOOP, Chief Veterinary Surgeon During the past 12 months there has been a sharp rise in the incidence of itch mite and many cases have been reported both from sheep markets and individual properties. The symptoms of itch mite infestation are very similar to those produced by hce but, unlike the sheep louse, the itch mite is invisible to the naked eye and the microscopic examination of scrapings taken from the skin after the wool has been closely clipped is necessary for its detection. Orchard irrigation - By J. CRIPPS, Horticultural Adviser There are no fruits grown in Western Australia which do not give larger crops if irrigated, although the majority of fruit growers do not have irrigation installations. Powdery mildew diseases in the home garden - By OLGA M. GOSS, B.Sc. Hons., Plant Pathologist Most of you will be only too familiar with the powdery mildew diseases which occur so frequently during the warmer months in your gardens. The most common plants badly affected by these diseases are grape vines, roses, hydrangeas, delphinium, Iagerstroemia and melons of various types. Cat Flu - A matter of serious concern - By J. SHILKIN, B.V.Sc, Veterinary Surgeon The importance of cats in the community is not generally realised by the public, yet severe epidemics among the feline population should be a matter of considerable concern. The presence of a reasonably large cat population in our cities is most important in keeping rat and mice numbers down to a low level, and their importance on farming properties is too well known to need any comment. Rat-borne diseases do occur m man in Australia and rats are always a potential danger as carriers and spreaders of some extremely serious diseases of man. Even good farmers can cause erosion. - By BRIAN MARSH, B.Sc. (Agric), Soil Conservation Adviser The particular aspects of soil conservation I am to discuss has not been publicised before, and the suggestions contained in this talk may be of use to you during seeding operations this year. It is often asked, Will the use of clover really prevent erosion