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Pasture Species Investigations - Wheat Belt (May, 1975), N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Results from trials comparing the growth and persistence of a number of annual pasture legumes are presented in this report. Rainfall conditions during the year are described briefly and a table of annual and growing season rainfall at relevant centres is appended. The experiments are grouped as follows according to average annual rainfall:- Zone A - Average annual rainfall > 400 mm Zone B - Average annual rainfall 345 - 400 mm Zone C - Average annual rainfall < 345 mm and then, further, on soil type. District Rainfall, 1974. 71LG16,, 72LG3, 74KA3, 70OTS2, 72TS5, 70NA3, 71TS22, 74NO3, 70ME4. The early break, with good rainfall continuing through most of the growing season, provided optimal conditions for most wheat belt trials. These conditions were in direct contrast to the dry years of the late 1960's and early 1970's. In 1974, legume growth on droughty deep sands should have been at its best. Serradella responded at Kukerin in direct relationship with earlier heavy dressings of potash. West of Three Springs, serradella and Tornafield medic stayed a little ahead of Harbinger medic and well ahead of Daliak sub. clover and rose clover. On deep sands at Marchagee and Arrino, subterranean clover was the only species worth considering. The failure of Eragrostis curvula to persist through the dry 1973-74 summer after good germination in late winter, indicates a need for more work on the establishment of this grass on deep sands. The low yields of dry matter at Tincurrin do not offer much incentive for such work, but Eragrostis, lupins and serradella probably give the best chance of pasturing the grossly infertile, erodable sands. Under favourable conditions, Geraldton sub. clover continued to show its versatility and aggressiveness. On an alkaline loamy sand at Lake King, waterlogged for periods during the winter, Dwalganup, Geraldton and Northam A produced more dry matter than a wide range of other pasture legumes. At Walgoolan, Geraldton maintained better than 503 content in mixtures with other sub. clover cultivars sown in 1970, while in a trial at Marchagee there was evidence of gradual, aggressive regeneration of Geraldton from a sparse pasture sown before the trial. Only two new legume species trials were planted in 1974, and these were not successful. Trial 74KA3, east of Katanning, demonstrated the need for timely planting. Had seed been available on time, the trial would have been planted before the onset of heavy rains and would have given better results. The failure of Tornafield and Harbinger on 74N03 should not weight the record unduly against these medics; :they have never excelled on clay loams, and they were sorely harassed by redlegged earthmite. The medics will not be replanted, but Northam A and Geraldton will be observed in 1975. :

Size And Growth Of The Eyes Of The Troglobitic Salamander Typhiotriton Spelaeus, Joseph C. Besharse, Ronald A. Brandon

International Journal of Speleology

The eyes of larval T. spelaeus grow by negative allometry, but in allometric coefficients they are not greatly different from E. lucifuga. The major differences in eye size, both absolute and relative to body size, between T. spelaeus and E. lucifuga are established prior Io the larval growth period. The eyes of T. spelaeus cease to grow at metamorphosis and are reduced in size thereafter. In addition, there is increased individual variability and bilateral asymmetry of eye size in adult T. spelaeus compared to both adult E. lucifuga and larval T. spelaeus. This variability, expressed as relative dispersion …

1972 Progress Report: Soil As A Factor In Modelling The Phosphorus Cycle In The Desert Ecosystem, J. J. Jurinak, R. A. Griffin

Elusive Documents

The research conducted in 1972 emphasized a nutrient assay of soil from the Curlew Valley site, phosphorus inventory of the vegetation and rabbit droppings, and further chemical characterization of soil phosphorus, which also included determination of the kinetics and energetics of the calcium carbonate-phosphate system.

Bromegrass Productivity In Relation To Precipitation, Shrub Canopy Cover And Soil Nitrogen Content, Lawrence G. Kline

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In seasons of above normal precipitation, populations of annual weedy species increase in great abundance in semi-arid desert plant communities. These increases in biomass tie up a considerable portion of the available nitrogen of such ecosystems and may depress subsequent annual grass germination.

A big sagebrush-annual bromegrass plant community was irrigated to simulate a spring growth period of abundant precipitation amenable to annual bromegras s productivity. Productivity and nitrogen content parameters were monitored throughout the spring and summer to evaluate the short and potential long term effects of this seasonal increase in "precipitation".

Irrigation increased annual bromegrass productivity almost 50 …

A Measure Of The Amount Of Phosphate Adsorption And The Rate Of Release Of Indigenous Phosphate From A Desert Soil, Robert Lindsey Evans

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The capacity of a calcareous desert soil, Thiokol silt loam, to retain natural, as well as added, orthophosphate-P was measured by equilibrium adsorption employing a batch technique and evaluated using the two-slope Langmuir adsorption isotherm. From these data, corrected to account for indigenous soil P, a hypothesis was formulated as to the nature of retention of P by the soil, including the identification of two interfacial reactions involving P, and a value calculated for the adsorption maximum as defined by the Langmuir isotherm equation for P with soil at each of two soil depths and three constant temperatures within the …

An Intensive Edaphological Characterization Of The Soils Of Malambito Experimental Station And Its Implications In Future Agricultural Research, William L. Rubink

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Malambito Experiment Station, in the Atlántico III project area, Department of Atlántico, Colombia, had almost no quantitative edaphological data on which to base agricultural research. Unexplainably low general yields as well as problem areas of deficient plant growth only confounded the results of field plot experiments. Intensive soil sampling and subsequent measurements of pH, EC_e of the saturation extract, and the four major cations disproved the previous suggestions that the crop growth problems were related to saline, sodic, or degraded soil conditions. The Ca/Mg+K+Na ratio, although significant when correlated with plant height, was sufficient explanation for only a small …

Annual Nutrient And Energy Intake Of The Desert Cottontail, Sylvilagus Auduboni, Under Natural Conditions, H G. Reynolds, F. J. Turkowski, R. M. Chew

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Curlew Valley Validation Site Report, David F. Balph

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Consumption, Utilization And Modification Of Nutritional Resources By The Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) In The Mohave Desert, V.H. Shoemaker, K.A. Nagy, W.R. Costa

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

1973_Pasture Species Investigations - Wheatbelt, N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Results from trials comparing the growth and persistence of a number of annual pasture legumes in 1973 are presented in this report. Rainfall conditions during the year are described briefly and a table of annual and growing season rainfall at relevant centres is appended. The experiments are grouped as follows according to average annual rainfall:- Zone A - Average annual rainfall 400 mm. Zone B - Average annual rainfall 345 - 400 mm. Zone C - Average annual rainfall 345 mm. and then further on soil type. 70GE4, 70ME3, 70ME4, 70NA3, 70TS2, 70TS5, 71LG16, 71TS22, 72LG3, 72LG26,

Mineral Nutrition Of Unicrop Lupins, J. W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

73MO35. Lancelin

Lupin Split Seed Pilot Trial - Esperance Downs Research Station., J. W. Gartrell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupin Split Seed Pilot Trial. Esperance Research Station 1974. % of seed classed according to size and degree of splitting. Manganese - S Richardson - Dandaragan 73PE2

Feeding Efficiency In The Cave Salamander Haideotriton Wallacei, Stewart B. Peck

International Journal of Speleology

Selection for efficiency in food capture may be a dominant influence in the evolutionary biology of predaceous cave animals. A sample of 8 Haideotriton wallacei from a natural population contained 21 feeding boluses in their digestive tracts. Fourteen of these boluses contained food, demonstrating success in at least 67% of the feeding attempts.

Un Nouvel Asellide Cavernicole D'Espagne Centrale: Bragaselius Lagari N.Sp. (Crustacea Isopoda Asellota), Jean-Paul Henry, Guy Magniez

International Journal of Speleology

Description of a new, unpigmented and eyeless Asellid, belonging to the Iberian Genus Bragasellus Henry et Magniez, 1968. The new species lives in the underground stream of the Cueva del Tornero (Checa, province of Guadalajara, central Spain).

An Examination Of The Inorganic Nitrogen Status Of A Soil Of The Alaskan Coastal Tundra Plain, Norton R. Munn

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This experiment was designed to measure in situ concentrations of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^--N in a soil of the arctic coastal tundra plain, to determine if nitrification was taking place in this soil and to determine if the vascular plants growing in this soil could assimilate NH₄⁺-N.

The extractable NH₄⁺-N concentration was approximately 40 μg/g in the 0₁ horizon and 10 μg/g in the 0₂ horizon. The NO₃^--N concentration was approximately 5 μg/g in the 0¹ horizon and 4 μg/g in the 0_{2 …}

Biomass And Nutrient Dynamics Of Some Major Cold Desert Shrubs, Neil E. West

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Factors Affecting The Movement And Distribution Of Anions In Desert Soils, J. J. Jurinak, R. A. Griffin

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Colony Characters Of Termites As Related To Population Density And Habitat, W. L. Nutting, M. I. Haverty, J. P. Lafage, R. V. Carr

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Dynamics And Productivity Of Aquatic Invertebrates In A Desert Environment, A. R. Gaufin, J. Stanford, E. Clubb, E. Nisonger

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

Soil And Plant Analysis For Mineral Deficiencies, M D. Carroll

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Soil and plant analysis (testing) has its supporters and its critics. Some of the differences are resolved if the distinction is made between the concept and the practice. Most people would agree with the concept of soil and plant analysis but the practice, or service offered, in any agricultural situation can be subject to valid criticism.

This article defines some of the principles involved and illustrates some of the problems, to provide a better understanding of the usefulness and the limitations of soil and plant analysis as a diagnostic aid in plant and animal nutrition.

Etude Comparée Du Comportement Alimentaire De Deux Poissons Cavernicoles (Anoptichthys Jordani Hubbs Et Innes Et Caecobarbus Geertsi Blgr.), Georges Thinès, Nicole Wissocq

International Journal of Speleology

Systematic experiments on the cave-fishes Anoptichthys jordani and Caecobarbus geertsi show that the vertical orientation of swimming behaviour can be significantly modified by feeding the fishes during a period of 8 days before the experiments, either with food dropping to the bottom (Tubifex) or with food floating on the surface of the water (dried Daphnia). The observations have been quantified by recording systematically the position of the fishes in height in an aquarium divided in 3 levels of observation. The position of the fishes was recorded every 10 seconds during a total period of 15 minutes, divided in 3 periods …

On The Food And Feeding Habits Of Lepidomysis Longipes (Pillai & Mariamma) (Crustacea Mysidacea), C. N. Nath, N. K. Pillai

International Journal of Speleology

The amount of food available to the subterranean mysid, Lepidomysis longipes (Pillai & Mariamma, 1964) in its habitat has been calculated and analysed. Lepidomysis appears to feed mainly on decaying vegetable matter. Lepidomysis shows many modifications in its external morphology. Consequently, the mode of feeding has undergone some marked changes from that of its epigean relatives. L. longipes is a discontinuous feeder.

Bulletin No 3861 - Kimberley Research Station - Progress Report 1972, J. R. Mcalpine, R. H. Gunn, P. Jakobsen, R. Wetselaar, J. J. Basinski, N. J. Thomson, A. G. L. Wilson, D. H. Mackenzie, A. J. Millington, D. F. Beech, P. C. Owen, B. G. Williams, C. G. Blunt, A. Mcr Holm

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The systematic investigations of the potential of the Ord area for irrigated farming began during the Second World War when the possibilities of damming the river were first examined, initial soil survey was carried out, and agricultural experiments started. The Kimberley Research Station was established on its present site in 1945. A year later the State and Commonwealth Governments agreed to finance and operate the Station jointly, with CSIRO and the Western Australian Department of Agriculture being responsible for research.

The construction of the main dam designed to store 5,675 million m" ( 4.6 million acre feet) was completed in …

Summary Of Trial Results 1972 (February 1973), N. R. Mckeown

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1.0.0. Trials in Progress During 1972 observations were made on 16 small plot legume species trials and 11 grazing trials. In 1973 the small plot trials will be reduced to 10. This report summarizes the results from the grazing trials under the following headings:- 2.0.0. Seasonal conditions 3.0.0. Grazing experiments 3.1.0. 68MO23 - Legume grazing management trial, West Moora 3.2.0. 71LG17 - Comparison of production from Cyprus Medic and volunteer pasture 3.3.0. Comparison of production from tornafield medic,serradella and subterranean clover 3.3.1. 70ME2 - Walgoolan 3.3.2. 71WH13 - Wongan Hills 3.3.3. 69MO17 - Watheroo 3.3.4. 69LG24 - Lake Grace 3.4.0. …

Role Of Transition Metals In Nitrite Decomposition In Soil, J. S. Bajwa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Iron and copper increased the decomposition of nitrite significantly during the first two hours of reaction when 150 parts per million (ppm) of nitrite and nitrogen was added to an acidic soil. Manganese was found to have a slight effect. There was no additional effect of the added metals after two hours reaction time.

The higher concentration of metals was not effective in catalyzing the decomposition of the added nitrite in nitrogen. All the added nitrite nitrogen was not recovered and the deficit could be due to the formation of nitrogen gas.

Irrigating With Underground Water, T C. Calder

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

MANY farmers in South-West areas are looking to irrigation to increase and diversify farm production, particularly on the sandy coastal plain where irrigation in summer is essential for vegetable, fruit and fodder production.

Durées De La Mue, De L'Intermue Des Adultes, Et Longévité De Stenasellus Virei Dollfus (Crustacé Asellote Troglobie), Guy Magniez

International Journal of Speleology

The author’s observations of numerous cases of molting in the hypogean asellid Stenasellus virei Dollfus, 1897 appear to show that the phenomenon occurs in two steps. The loss of the anterior exuvium is separated from that of the posterior exuvium by a period of 8 to 16 days in adults from cavernicolous populations of Stenasellus virei in the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Alps. The intermolts last from 9 to 18 months for the same individuals. One must allow, for this species, a minimun life span of 10 years. Values of the same order of magnitude are anticipated for the two other …

Assistant Director Retires, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Mr. G. H. Burvill (63) retired on September 3 as Assistant Director of Agriculture after 44 years with the Department of Agriculture. He joined the Department as a cadet in 1927.

One of Western Australia's best-known agricultural scientists, Mr. Burvill has had an important influence on many aspects of the State's farming industries over more than 30 years.

He has an unequalled knowledge of the State's soils, climate and agriculture.

Attendance Report: Small Mammal Workshop, Clive D. Jorgensen

Memorandum

No abstract provided.

List Of Experimental Programmes 1970 - 1971, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

L.T. Jones, Vines and vegetables. J.E.L. Cripps, Fruit tree management. R.N. Glencross, Nutrition of pastures and cereals in higher rainfall areas. M.D. Carroll, Fertility changes mineral deficiencies. D.L. Chatel, Soil Microbiology. C.M. Francis, Agronomy and adaptation of lupins. A.E. Oakley, Radioisotopes studies. J.W. Gartrell, Trace element nutrition of cereals and pastures. M.G. Mason, Nitrogen nutrition of cereals. D.A. Nicholas, Evaluation of perennial and annual pasture cultivars in higher rainfall areas. M.L. Poole, Agronomy of crops in high rainfall areas, oilseed and other new crops. D. Tennant, Soil-plant water relations and root growth of cereals. G.H. Walton Evaluation of pasture cultivars …