Fact sheet

11 September 2013

A Smooth Transition

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet describes the processes and structures required to facilitate a smooth transition through the family business. Related ProjectsVegetable Industry Development Program – National Co-ordination […]
12 September 2013

Accessing Useful Resources On-line

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet is a collection of online resources that growers can access, as well as a list of other sources of industry information. Related ProjectsVegetable […]
12 September 2013

Action points for making decisions

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet outlines ‘action points’ or thresholds to help you make decisions about managing pests and diseases. The more accurate your action point, the more […]
12 September 2013

Always check for pests and diseases

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMonitoring the crop regularly and routinely enables you to find pests and diseases early. This means you will have more management options available to you. Related […]
20 July 2012

Are my soils acid? Acid Soil Action Leaflet No. 3

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis report describes signs that indicate soils may be acidic. It also contains information on: getting soils tested, using pH testing kits, and using lime test […]
20 July 2012

Asian melons

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet provides an overview of the Asian melons (smooth Luffa, angled Luffa, and Wax Gourd, Hairy/long melon or winter melon) – origin, distribution, preferred […]
20 July 2012

Beet cyst nematode on vegetables

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe beet cyst nematode can cause considerable damage to brassica crops as well as to beets, rhubarb, and spinach, by severely damaging the root systems, especially […]
20 July 2012

Beneficial bacteria beat water repellency

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWater repellent sandy soils are a major problem across the western and southern grain growing regions of Australia. Water repellency is caused when hydrophobic “skins” made […]
13 September 2013

Best practice IPM – Overview

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis poster provides an overview of some main components of IPM, what it is, and what steps are involved in implementing it on your farm. It […]
19 August 2013

Bio-active Compounds Factsheet for VG12046

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA fact sheet on Bio-active Compounds to compliment the project VG12046: Identifying new products, uses and markets for Australian vegetables: A desktop study. Related ProjectsIdentifying new […]
19 August 2013

Biogas Production Factsheet for VG12046

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA fact sheet on Biogas Production to compliment the project VG12046: Identifying new products, uses and markets for Australian vegetables: A desktop study. Related ProjectsIdentifying new […]
20 July 2012

Biosecurity

Reading Time: < 1 minute“Biosecurity” is a general description for a series of measures designed to protect individual farming properties, businesses and the nation as a whole, from the entry […]
20 July 2012

Brassica Integrated Pest & Disease Management

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis 4-page factsheet provides details of integrated approaches to managing Diamondback moth (DBM), a major insect pest of Brassica vegetable crops that has the abilitiy to […]
20 July 2012

Buk Choy

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet details information on Buk Choy production – where and how does it grow, preparation and cooking, and nutritional value. Related ProjectsBuk Choy
12 September 2013

Business case: buy a truck or use a contractor

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSome growers use contractors to transport produce to a warehouse, packer or a wholesaler, while others prefer to use their own trucks. This fact sheet analyses […]
12 September 2013

Business case: capsicum grader

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe grading of different categories of product has increased meaning the quality of grading is becoming more important as market standards change. This fact sheet weights […]
13 September 2013

Business case: Expansion through vertical integration

Reading Time: < 1 minuteExpanding a vegetable growing business may often include vertical integration, or added value. Making the decision to involve additional processes through the supply chain requires many […]
13 September 2013

Business case: IPM in lettuce

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet addresses the question: “how much do I need to reduce crop damage to justify the extra costs of higher priced chemicals and a […]
13 September 2013

Business case: New irrigator

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThere are many considerations to take into account when investing in a new irrigator. It is important to account for depreciation, cost of capital, operating costs […]
13 September 2013

Business case: Property relocation Part A

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet, the first of two parts, provides information that growers should consider when expanding, relocating or subdividing land. There are many financial, water related […]
13 September 2013

Business case: Property relocation Part B

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet, the second of two parts, provides information that growers should consider when expanding, relocating or subdividing land. There are many financial, water and […]
11 September 2013

Business Decision Making

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet describes the key factors that need to be considered for making good decisions including risk and uncertainty, people issues and access to information. […]
12 September 2013

Business Management: Thinking Through the Numbers

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet gives you simple tools and methods to help you make good business decisions. It will help you manage your variable and overhead costs, […]
20 July 2012

Butternut pumpkin

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet provides an overview of butternut pumpkin, ground preparation, plant spacing, varieties, irrigation, nutrition and irrigation requirements, harvesting, and pests and diseases. Related ProjectsButternut […]
20 July 2012

Cabbage growing

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCabbages belong to the Cruciferae family and are related to turnips, cauliflowers and brussels sprouts. The origin of the cabbage is rather obscure as it is […]
20 July 2012

Capsicum and chilli

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet provides an overview of capsicum and chilli, distribution, Australian distribution, preferred climate and soil types, description, varieties, pests and diseases, fruiting season, and […]
20 July 2012

Capsicum virus diseases

Reading Time: < 1 minuteDiseases caused by viruses are among the most common cause of loss to capsicum growers across Australia. Symptoms of several virus diseases often appear to be […]
20 July 2012

Carrot nutrition and irrigation

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCarrot production in WA in 1989 was 31,000 tonnes, of which 17,500 tonnes were exported, mostly to south-eastern Asia. There, WA has a reputation for supplying […]
13 September 2013

Case study Direct sales and food safety

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis case study explores the benefits and considerations for selling produce direct to the public. Direct sales may involve farrmers’ markets, roadside stalls, pick-your-own or on-farm […]
13 September 2013

Case study: How is our business going

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis case study was put together to help vegetable growers understand their businesses better. Use this fact sheet to help gauge the performance of your business. […]
13 September 2013

Case study: Labour management

Reading Time: < 1 minuteEmploying and managing staff can be stressful for many growers. This fact sheet explores aspects of employabilty, advertising/recruiting and managing staff. Related ProjectsVegetable Industry Development Program […]
20 July 2012

Cavity spot disease of carrots

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn Western Australia, cavity spot disease of carrots is caused by the soil borne fungus Pythium sulcatum. Cavity spots are small elliptical lesions – usually less […]
20 July 2012

Celery mosaic virus

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCelery mosaic virus (CeMV) causes a serious disease of celery worldwide. It also infects other members of the plant family it belongs to (Apiaciae) including aniseed, […]
12 September 2013

Check seedlings before planting

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSeedlings can be a significant source of pests and diseases and are a very common way in which problems get introduced into a clean greenhouse. Related […]
12 September 2013

Clean and disinfect the greenhouse

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe greenhouse always has to be cleaned and disinfected before planting a new crop. The clean up activity provides a fresh starting point and reduces the […]
12 September 2013

Climate Change Managing Variability and Carbon

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA fact sheet outlining the contribution of horticulture to climate change, the impact of climate change on horticulture and ways in which farmers can reduce their […]
20 July 2012

Clubroot factsheets

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA series of 10 factsheets that discuss the important aspects of clubroot disease of brassica vegetables and the range of control measures available. Factsheet No. 10, […]
20 July 2012

Clubroot of cruciferous crops

Reading Time: < 1 minuteClubroot is the most persistent and devastating disease of cruciferous crops. This disease is widely distributed where these crops are grown and is particularly severe in […]
20 July 2012

Commodity growing guides – Onion growing

Reading Time: < 1 minuteNew South Wales produces about 32,000 tonnes of onions annually. This represents 15% of the total Australian production. About 90% of the state’s onion crop is […]
20 July 2012

Common insect pests of cucurbits

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCucurbits are a major horticultural crop in the Northern Territory and are susceptible to many insect pests. These include cucumber moths, pumpkin beetles, two-spotted mites, and […]
20 July 2012

Compost for managing salinity

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCompost plays an important role in managing sodic and saline soils and can help you begin to tackle these problems with confidence. Almost a third of […]
20 July 2012

Composting On-farm

Reading Time: < 1 minuteAs growers continue to seek ways to make the best use of resources and recycling waste, more attention is being focused on using compost as a […]
13 September 2013

Consumer and Markets Overview

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis Consumer & Market fact sheet provides an introduction to vegetable consumption in the Australian market. It also covers some common market terms used in Consumer […]
20 July 2012

Control of Sclerotinia diseases

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSclerotinia diseases cause major losses in many horticultural crops (eg lettuce, beans, carrots, brassicas and peas). Intense cropping and the use of Sclerotinia-susceptible crops in rotations […]
12 September 2013

Control what goes into your clean zone

Reading Time: < 1 minuteOnce the clean zone has been set up, you need to control everything that moves into it. Movement of staff/workers and visitors around the farm is […]
20 July 2012

Controlling Spinosad Resistance with WFT

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWestern Flower Thrips (WFT) is a devastating and hard pest to manage in crops in many countries around the world. It can carry and transmit the […]
20 July 2012

Diamondback Moth (DBM)

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe key pests of Brassica crops, diamondback moth (DBM), is particularly hard to manage. It has been known to destroy Brassica and canola crops and cause […]
20 July 2012

Diseases of vegetable brassicas

Reading Time: < 1 minuteBroccoli, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are members of the brassica family. The family also includes the root vegetables such as turnips and swedes […]
12 September 2013

Do not go to another greenhouse

Reading Time: < 1 minuteMovement of people around the farm is one of the primary ways for pests and diseases to penetrate clean zones. Having the correct quarantine protocols, therefore, […]
12 September 2013

Do not leave crop debris lying about

Reading Time: < 1 minuteCrop debris and discarded fruit are a major source of pests and diseases. As soon as a crop is finished, clean out the greenhouse and remove […]
20 July 2012

Downy mildew of brassicas

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis 2-page factsheet highlights the findings of a project to develop an integrated management strategy for the control of downy mildew on Brassica and stock seedlings, […]
20 July 2012

Eggplant growing

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe eggplant is a native of the subtropical areas of south-eastern Asia and was introduced into Europe by early Arab traders. It is a member of […]
20 July 2012

English spinach

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThe fact sheet provides an overview of spinach – required soil, varieties, planting, irrigation, weed control, fertilisers, its diseases and pests, harvesting, marketing and hydroponics. Related […]
19 August 2013

Fibre from Vegetables Factsheet for VG12046

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA fact sheet on Fibre from Vegetables to compliment the project VG12046: Identifying new products, uses and markets for Australian vegetables: A desktop study. Related ProjectsIdentifying […]
20 July 2012

Field lettuce production

Reading Time: < 1 minuteLettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is an annual of the Asteraceae family and native to the Mediterranean. It is thought to have originated in Europe and Asia […]
20 July 2012

Field tomato

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet includes information on ground preparation, varieties, sowing season, trellising and plant spacing, nutrition, irrigation, pests and diseases, pollination and yield, maturity and harvest, […]
19 August 2013

Flavour Extraction Factsheet for VG12046

Reading Time: < 1 minuteA fact sheet on Flavour Extraction to compliment the project VG12046: Identifying new products, uses and markets for Australian vegetables: A desktop study. Related ProjectsIdentifying new […]
20 July 2012

Free-living bacteria lift soil nitrogen supply

Reading Time: < 1 minuteNon-symbiotic nitrogen fixation can contribute significant plant-available nitrogen per hectare per year to intensive farming systems. With the potential for non-symbiotic nitrogen fixation to provide a […]
20 July 2012

Gai Choy

Reading Time: < 1 minuteGai Choy is one member of the diverse mustard family. This fact sheet details information on Gai Choy production – where and how does it grow, […]
22 January 2015

Gas fuelled on farm power generation

Reading Time: < 1 minuteResearch into on farm power generation has produced details of the options, and explored feasibility of adoption of such systems. Growers can use this to help […]
12 September 2013

Get rid of all weeds

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWeeds are one of the most significant sources of pests and diseases. Keeping a weed free area around the greenhouse is an important management strategy. Related […]
20 July 2012

Grafting snake beans to control fusarium wilt

Reading Time: < 1 minuteFusarium wilt is a serious problem of snake beans grown in the Darwin area. This fact sheet provides an overview of the disease, its symptoms, and […]
20 July 2012

Grafting tomatoes for bacterial wilt control

Reading Time: < 1 minuteBacterial wilt is a serious problem of tomatoes in coastal areas in the tropics. It is caused by the soil-borne bacteria Pseudomonas solanacearum, which infects the […]
20 July 2012

Greenhouse cucumber diseases

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis 4-page factsheet details the findings of a project undertaken to study greenhouse cucumber diseases and their causes and to develop effective management strategies. The most […]
19 September 2013

Greenhouse Design – Pests and Disease

Reading Time: < 1 minuteGreenhouse design is important in helping to control pests such as whitefly, thrips and aphids. This fact sheet looks at ventilation, mesh materials and the relationship […]
19 September 2013

Greenhouse Design and Climate Management

Reading Time: < 1 minuteUnderstanding greenhouse design is important for maintaining the heath-humidity balance to provide optimal growing conditions. Related ProjectsManaging a greenhouse capsicum crop – an interactive DVD demonstration […]
20 July 2012

Growing Brussels sprouts in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteBrussels sprouts belong to the Brassica family and are related to cabbages and cauliflowers. This fact sheet provides an overview on Brussels sprouts – climatic requirements, […]
20 July 2012

Growing capsicums and chillies

Reading Time: < 1 minuteThis fact sheet provides an overview of the capsicums and chillies – climate requirements, soils, varieties, seedling production, transplanting, spacing, fertilisers, irrigation, protected cultivation, pruning, pests, […]
20 July 2012

Growing eggplant

Reading Time: < 1 minuteEggplant belongs to the Solanaceae family, which includes crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, and capsicums. Eggplant is available from Western Australia growers throughout the year, mainly […]
20 July 2012

Growing leeks in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteLeeks belong to the onion family and are closely related to chives, garlic, onion, and shallots. A problem with the crop is that it takes 21 […]
20 July 2012

Growing parsnips in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteParsnips belong to the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, celery, and parsley. This fact sheet provides an overview of growing parsnips in Western Australia – soil, […]
20 July 2012

Growing radish in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteRadish belongs to the Brassica family such as cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflowers. The red radish is the main type grown in Australia and originated in Western […]
20 July 2012

Growing rhubarb in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteIn Western Australia, a small of rhubarb is grown commercially throughout the year for the domestic market, mainly in the Wanneroo area. This fact sheet provides […]
20 July 2012

Growing silverbeet in Western Australia

Reading Time: < 1 minuteSilverbeet belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family and is closely related to beetroot and also to spinach. This fact sheet provides an overview on growing silverbeet in […]