Irrigated crops

In areas such as the Ord River Irrigation Area in northern Western Australia, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with industry in trialling new varieties and agronomic systems for both existing and potentially valuable new crops.

The main crops of current interest include the health food quinoa, rice which is showing considerable potential if disease and variety problems can be overcome, sugar cane which will be the basis of new developments on Ord Stage 2, and cotton which is based on genetically-modified varieties.

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Articles

  • Commercial Rice grown in the Ord River Irrigation Area

    Rice in the Ord River Irrigation Area

    30 May 2014

    Rice has been cultivated in many countries for thousands of years. It is a staple food for a significant proportion of the world's population and demand is growing.

  • Irrigate WA

    IrrigateWA

    16 October 2015

    IrrigateWA is an irrigation app that will assist with the implementation of correct irrigation scheduling for a variety of crops, regions and soil types in Western Australia.

  • Dr Lanoiselet and Prof. Barbetti inspecting rice plants in a glasshouse

    Rice blast races present in Australia

    4 February 2014

    Rice blast is the most important disease of rice worldwide and detection of the disease in 2010 halted the rice industry in its tracks in northern Western Australia.

  • Rice blast symptoms on leaves

    Rice blast disease

    13 June 2014

    Rice blast caused by fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, is generally considered the most important disease of rice worldwide because of its extensive distribution and destructiveness unde

  • Furrow irrigating sugarcane

    Sugarcane in the Ord River Irrigation Area

    11 June 2014

    Sugarcane was grown commercially in the Ord River Irrigation Area between 1995 and 2007. 

  • Measuring the wetting pattern beneath drip irrigation

    Using dye to show water movement below drip irrigation

    14 November 2013

    Water movement patterns on the soil surface may not be a good guide to what is happening below the surface and can lead to inefficient irrigation.

  • Group of people around a table viewing documents

    Making a difference in farm biosecurity - educational package

    18 February 2015

    This farm biosecurity educational package developed for upper secondary agricultural students consists of a suite of lesson plans with case studies and activities. The content aims to help students

  • Quinoa crop

    Quinoa in Western Australia

    17 July 2014

    Quinoa is a plant that has become popular and fashionable because of its high protein but gluten-free status. It is not a grain but can be used in similar ways to rice and couscous.

  • Kimberley large chickpea crop

    Chickpeas in the Ord River Irrigation Area

    10 June 2014

    Kabuli chickpeas are a high value industry in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA). A large-seeded, high quality grain is grown for domestic and export markets.

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