Production & postharvest

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development contributes to the productivity, profitability and sustainability of plant-based agriculture. From broad scale dryland cropping systems to intensive irrigated production, we work with industry and business to address challenges in plant production through research and development, knowledge transfer and government policy settings.

Articles

Diagnosing nodule dysfunction in narrow-leafed lupins

19 January 2015

Nitrogen deficiency from nodule dysfunction can be caused by lack of Rhizobia, soil conditions, herbicide toxicity, or molybdenum or cobalt deficiency.
Diagnosing poor quality seed in narrow-leafed lupins

19 January 2015

Lupin has large seeds that are prone to mechanical damage during harvesting and subsequent handling, which may reduce seed viability.
Diagnosing allelopathy in cereals

28 November 2013

Allelopathy is an uncommon disorder of germinating plants caused by a toxins in the soil that have leached from plant residues.
Monitoring pulse nodulation

15 April 2014

All pulse plants require healthy root systems in order to maximise growth and yield.
Monitoring cereal tiller counts

15 April 2014

The ability of a cereal crop to tiller is an indication of the crop’s ability to maximise crop yield. An inadequate number of tillers will limit the number of heads and yield potential.
Monitoring flowering in broad-acre crops

15 April 2014

The time of flowering can be critical in determining final yield in all crops. Frost or hot, dry conditions during flowering in cereal, canola and pulse crops can dramatically reduce yields.
Windrow assessment for canola

15 April 2014

The aim of this check is to ensure that the crop is at the right stage of maturity for windrowing. This will ensure that seed yield and oil content are maximised.
Drying cut flowers and foliage

20 January 2014

Dried flowers are a popular longer-lasting alternative to fresh flowers. A number of methods can be used to dry flowers but some basic principles apply generally such as drying as fast as possible
Monitoring head and pod density

15 April 2014

The number of tiller in cereals establishes the yield potential of the crop for the season. The branching of legumes and canola largely determines the yield potential in these crops.
Cooling cut flowers and foliage

22 January 2014

Cut flowers and foliage are highly perishable items. Field heat should be removed as soon as possible after picking.