Plant nutrition

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducts and supports research into the agronomic requirements of a range of crops to provide information on crop nutrition to ensure optimum yields and quality. Plants require a number of nutrients to successfully grow and produce a crop. Western Australia's weather conditions can result in poor soil fertility and limited water supply which restrict a plants ability to uptake and use nutrients.

Articles

  • Fresh market potatoes growing on coastal sands

    Phosphorus management of potatoes on sands

    28 October 2013

    Phosphorus fertiliser application to potato crops should aim to maximise profits and also minimise the overuse of phosphorus to reduce environmental impacts and health risks.

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    3Phase program for growing lettuce on sandy soils

    11 November 2013

    The life of the lettuce crop is considered in three phases — establishment, rapid growth and maturation — and each phase has specific fertiliser requirements.

  • Nurseries may choose to buy in potting mix rather than making their own

    Potting mixes

    9 January 2014

    This page describes the characteristics of a good potting mix and outlines some of the common ingredients, as well as detailing simple tests for aeration and water-holding capacity.

  • Centre pivot irrigation system watering a potato crop

    Applying nutrients to vegetables via irrigation

    9 April 2014

    Over-application of fertiliser nutrients can cause growth and quality problems in vegetable crops.

  • Tomato leaves showing the net like pattern that occurs due to manganese deficiency. The leaf tissue between the veins becomes light green to yellow colour, while the veins remain dark green.

    Manganese deficiency in vegetables

    7 May 2014

    Manganese deficiency is most often seen on well drained neutral or calcareous soils but heavy fertiliser usage can induce it in other soils, particularly after heavy applications of lime.

  • Example of fertigation equipment used in strawberry production

    Irrigation and fertiliser guidelines for strawberries

    11 June 2015

    It is difficult to provide prescriptive guidelines for strawberry irrigation given the wide range of planting configurations and irrigation layouts.

  • Patches of pale stunted wilted plants

    Diagnosing manganese deficiency in oats

    19 June 2015

    Oats are very susceptible to manganese (Mn) deficiency, which produces a condition called 'grey speck'.

  • Oat plants showing symptoms of acute phosphorous deficiency including necosis moving down from old leaf tip

    Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in oats

    19 June 2015

    Nearly all soils in Western Australia are phosphorus deficient in their natural state but the continual use of phosphorus fertiliser means acute deficiency in broadacre crops is rare, with the exce

  • CSBP oat nutrition trial showing oat crop with symptoms of potassium deficiency

    Diagnosing potassium deficiency in oats

    22 June 2015

    Potassium is required for photosynthesis, transport of sugars, enzyme activation and controlling water balance within plant cells.

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    3Phase program for growing cabbage on sandy soils

    11 November 2013

    The life of the cabbage crop is considered in three phases — establishment, rapid growth and maturation — and each phase has specific fertiliser requirements.

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