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Full-Text Articles in Agronomy and Crop Sciences
Residual Values Of Australian Rock Phosphates, Michael D A Bolland
Residual Values Of Australian Rock Phosphates, Michael D A Bolland
Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4
For years superphosphate has been the cheapest, convenient and most effective way of supplying phosphorus to newly cleared soils in Western Australia's South-West that are acutely deficient in phosphorus. However its effectiveness as a phosphorus source falls markedly after application. Regular applications are needed to maintaine profitable pastures and crops on these soils.
After a big jump in supperphosphate prices in the mid 970s, researchers tested the use of Australian rock phosphates as potentially cheaper alternative phosphorus fertilisers to superphosphate. On the none-leaching sands, as this article shows, none of the rock phosphates was as effective for plant growth as …
Interceptor Drains And Waterlogging Control, J W. Cox, T R. Negus
Interceptor Drains And Waterlogging Control, J W. Cox, T R. Negus
Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4
Department of Agriculture trials of seepage interceptor drains from 1972 to 1983 primarily assessed the effects of such drains on salt encroachment. Although these trials showed that the drains had little influence on salt storage within the topsoil, they did reduce waterlogging downslope.
To investigate this drainage effect further, the Department's Narrogin office surveyed 35 drains on 14 properties in the winter of 1981, followed by detailed crop measurements in December that year. Provided the drains were properly designed, surveyed and constructed, and well maintained, they could be expected to increase crop yields during a waterlogging year by about 1 …