Vegetables

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development works closely with the vegetable industry to promote growth through better market access, developing integrated pest management programs and improving water and fertiliser use efficiency.

Vegetable production in Western Australia had a farm gate value of about $336 million in 2013, with the total industry value being $909 million. Most crops are grown for local consumption, apart from carrots, which are exported year-round to South East Asia and the Middle East.

The main growing areas are in the South-West, especially the Swan Coastal Plain from Gingin to Busselton, and around Manjimup and Albany.

Articles

  • Western Australia has many insect and mollusc pests (snails and slugs) that can affect the quality and yield of vegetable brassicas crops.

  • Garden weevil (Phlyctinus callosus) was accidentally introduced into Western Australia from South Africa.

  • Leaf eating ladybirds are a relatively minor pest of potatoes in Indonesia and Western Australia, but should be monitored.

  • Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) is a serious horticultural pest in Western Australia. It attacks a range of cultivated fruits and some fruiting vegetables.

  • Sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) is the most serious pest of sweet potato, not only in the United States, but around the world.

  • Pesticides are often used to control western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) in horticultural crops. However, western flower thrips is regarded to be a 'pesticide-induced proble

  • Radish flea beetle (Phyllotreta chotanica Duvivier 1892) is present throughout Asia and feeds on the leaves of cruciferous crops such as cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli and

  • Expansion of potato production into the Mid West for winter production is a real possibility by using seed of the correct physiological age and quality.