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

Measuring delivery of drip irrigation systems

4 October 2013

An efficient irrigator uses a systematic approach to ensure the irrigation system is delivering water evenly, that schedules meet plant demand, and fine-tunes irrigations to suit the soil and crop
Growing garlic in Western Australia

10 October 2013

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a member of the Alliaceae plant family and is closely related to onions, shallots, chives and leeks.
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.
Applying nutrients to vegetables via irrigation

9 April 2014

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

7 April 2014

When different fruits and vegetables are stored together, one foodstuff may be tainted by odours given off by another.
Storage of fresh fruit and vegetables

9 April 2014

The storage life of fresh fruit and vegetables varies with type, variety and pre-harvest conditions.
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.
Strawberries - growing the crop

15 January 2014

Growing strawberries as a commercial crop needs attention to detail to achieve the best results. The information below summarises advice on growing strawberries as recommended in Western Australia.
Postharvest handling of carrots

1 May 2014

Good postharvest cooling and storage allow product to be stored and shipped to distant markets and meet consumer requirements.
Drip irrigating tomatoes on sand

13 November 2013

Scheduling irrigation for tomatoes based on crop factors and evaporation, combined with soil moisture monitoring to confirm irrigation effectiveness, will result in more efficient watering.