Magnesium deficiency of apples and oranges

Magnesium deficiency is a common problem of orchards of Western Australia. The deficiency affects both apples and oranges, but in most cases is not particularly severe. Leaf sprays of magnesium sulphate (Epsom Salts) have successfully controlled the deficiency. Two percent strength is recommended. Soil treatment to give long-term control has not yet been determined successfully in Western Australia

Legumes or artificial nitrogen?

Choosing between legumes and artificial nitrogen is not the problem which many farmers are making it. This article deals with the choice in the mixed cereal and sheep farms of the Western Australian wheatbelt

Fertilising quota wheat crops

BEFORE wheat quotas were introduced, a farmer had to make two major decisions on fertilisers for wheat crops each year—what area to crop; and how much fertiliser to use

Reduction of pre-harvest drop of washington navel oranges by 2,4-D sprays

The uses of various synthetic plant hormones in agriculture are many—one of the most generally known of these uses being their action in reducing pre-harvest drop of fruit. Naphthalene acetic acid, commonly known as N.A.A. is widely used for this purpose with apples, but 2,4-DichIorophenoxyacetic acid, commonly known as 2,4-D, is much more effective with citrus fruit

Control of copper, zinc and manganese deficiencies in fruit trees

THE three elements copper, zinc and manganese are plant nutrients of the type often referred to as minor or trace elements. Although essential elements for plant growth, they are required in comparatively small quantities

The effectiveness of 2,4-D in preventing pre-harvest drop of navel oranges

An experiment was carried out to test the suitability of combining a 2,4-D hormone spray, to prevent mature fruit drop of Navel oranges, with a routine fungicidal spray of Bordeaux mixture. The hormone was tested at two concentrations. The results of the experiment indicated that under the conditions tested the 2,4-D spray could not be successfully combined with Bordeaux mixture and the concentration of 20 parts per million was superior to 10 parts per million. The lower concentration may be equally effective with a high rate of spray application

Research report : chemical thinning of apples

MANY progressive fruit growers have adopted spray thinning of apples, and have found that it pays well. More widespread adoption to reduce costs of production in the face of returns which show no tendency to rise, would benefit the apple industry. For this reason improved recommendations have been formulated, based on local research

The place of lucerne in Western Australian agriculture

Lucerne, the world\u27s most important fodder legume, has never won largescale acceptance in West Australian farming, largely because of our success with productive subterranean clover pastures. But recent disease problems on sub. clover stands have led to greater interest in alternative species, especially lucerne, for higher rainfall areas. This article summarises our knowledge of lucerne establishment and management in W.A. and reviews current research aimed at achieving better results from lucerne

Decide : how much superphosphate

* A 400 per cent increase in ihe price of superphosphate has reduced the economic optimum rates of super for crops and pastures in 1975. * Many factors, both biological and economic, must be taken into account in determining the rate of superphosphate to apply. • DECIDE, a model developed by CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture, provides a formal system in which all these factors can be considered. • DECIDE is based on the results of all research on superphosphate carried out in Western Australia. However, each farmer\u27s own knowledge of his farm, the soils, crops and animals is used to adapt the experimental results to get the best, easily available estimate of how much super should be applied to give maximum returns on superphosphate expenditure. Information about DECIDE is available from all District Offices of the Department of Agriculture

Subterranean clover in W.A. 2. Characteristics required for agronomic success

Development of subterranean clover varieties is a rapidly changing scene, particularly in terms of farmer acceptance, disease and persistency problems. This is only to be expected, because this is an agricultural plant of only some 50 to 70 years standing, whereas many other pasture plants have been in common use for thousands of years