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

Alternative wine grape evaluation in Manjimup

16 December 2013

Since 1998 the Department of Agriculture and Food in conjunction with the Western Australian Vine Improvement Association has imported more than 60 new varieties and clones of wine grape material.
PBA Jurien

20 August 2015

PBA Jurien is a high yielding Australian sweet lupin variety suitable for all lupin growing areas of Australia and it provides a significant yield improvement over current varieties in most of thes
Western Australian Vine Improvement Association (WAVIA)

28 January 2014

WAVIA is an industry-based organisation that works to facilitate the access, production and distribution of improved planting material to the viticulture industry of Western Australia.
Recommendations for successful apple pollination

6 November 2013

Pollination is one of the keys to profitable apple production. As a general rule, apple varieties are not self-fertile and will not set a full crop without a compatible polliniser.
Growing mangoes in cooler areas of Western Australia

3 December 2013

Mango fruit produced in the Perth area is seasonally the latest in Australia and receives high prices in WA and interstate.
What is the optimum plant density for your barley variety?

25 February 2016

Recent research from the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia's barley agronomy team has busted the myth that increasing the seed rate of barley will significantly decrease the qua
Cross-pollinisers for Hass avocado

28 July 2014

While Hass avocados are commonly grown in the South-West of Western Australia without a cross-polliniser variety, much interest has focused around the potential benefits of using a suitable cross-p
Growing pumpkins in Western Australia

22 May 2014

Jarrahdale, Japanese and butternut pumpkins are grown in Kununurra, Carnarvon and the south-west of Western Australia to supply the local market and eastern Australia.
Growing fresh runner and dwarf beans in Western Australia

22 September 2014

Two types of fresh beans are grown in Western Australia — climbing or runner beans, and dwarf or French beans.
Barley: blue aleurone

7 January 2014

A blue colouring in the aleurone layer of barley grain (the layer immediately below the husk) may be present in some varieties.