Publication Date

2022

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia

City

Perth

Abstract

Introducing new plants to an area may have both positive and negative effects on the environment, economy and community. To minimise the negative environmental impact of introducing new agricultural species, DPIRD conducts a risk assessment procedure based on widely accepted scientific standards. This report assesses Wheat (Triticum aestivum). Wheat is an annual grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain which is a worldwide staple food. It is the major temperate cereal grown across the grain growing areas of southern Australia and in temperate and subtropical environments around the world. Wheat cultivation goes back to ancient times and seems to originate from around the Middle East. Wheat became domesticated through cultivation of wild grains and farmers favouring traits which were beneficial for them. Traits that improve wheat quality, decrease the seed dispersal mechanism, so domesticated wheat cannot survive in the wild. Wheat is the major grain crop produced in south-western Australia both in terms of area and value. Western Australia (WA) generates about 50% of Australia's total wheat production with more than 95% exported, predominantly to Asia and the Middle East. Wheat could be grown in northern WA over the dry season under irrigation, but to date there is limited yield data. The most suitable wheat cultivar for the climate in the inland zones is still to be determined as conditions (latitude, temperature) are unlike any of the main cereal growing regions across Australia (Moore et al. 2021).

Number of Pages

3

Keywords

weed risk, assessment, biosecurity, Western Australia, Wheat, Triticum aestivum

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Weed Science

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