Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Seepage Interceptor Drains For Reducing Waterlogging And Salinity, Don Mcfarlane, Jim Cox

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

Shallow interceptor drains can reduce waterlogging on sloping sites. Such drains will more than pay for themselves from the increased crop yield. Recent work has shown that these drains also decrease salinity so that they are cost-effective in the long as well as the short term.

Sandplain Hardpan : A Different Dam Construction Material, A F. Mccrea

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

Before 1980, the Department of Agriculture did not believe that suitable farm dam materials could be found in light land soils. However Beacon earthmoving contractor, V> J> Pavlinovich, has demonstrated that where suitable cemented subsoils or 'hardpan' existed, a succcessful dam site could be found.

This material should not be confused with compaction or traffic hardpans ehich are dense layers of soil found near the surface. Traffic hardpans result from compaction of soil materials with the passage of vehicles and farm machinery. Rather, the hardpan referred to here is a natural subsoil layer that has been cemented by silica and …

Sources Of Lime In The South-West, I M V Brown

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

Many Western Australian farmers topdress or incorporate lime into their acid soils to neutralise them and to improve crop or pasture yields. Most use pulverised limestone or limesand which is cheap and relatively easy tospread.

Agricultural lime isdefined as "any fertiliser used principally for the purpose of reducing soil acidity and having calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate, or both, as its main ingredients".

Less extensive sources of liming material are found in scattered inland areas where deposits of calcrete have been formed by the weathering of calcium-rich rock and also in association with internal drainage systems.

Magnesite, generally formed by …

Soil Improvement With Bauxite Residues, W H. Tacey, S. C. Ward, K. J. Summers, N. J. Barrow

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

The sandy soils of the Peel-Harvey catchment hold water and nutrients very poorly. The Gavin ridges dry out quickly during rainless periods and this severely limits pasture growth. These ridges and the lower lying Joel and Coolup sands also lose a large proportion of the phosphorus, sulfer and potash fertilisers applied to them. Normally the sands lack clay materials to bind and hold the nutrients so rainfall leaches them out.

The Peel-Harvey Study Group, CSIRO, Alcoa and Murdock University have studied the use of a residue from bauxite mining to help overcome these problems. The treated residue has a texture …

Test Sites For Farm Dams, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

A short article outlining procedures for testing potential dam sites.

Groundwater In The Wheatbelt, E P. O'Driscoll

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

In general six factors affect the occurence of groundwater; rainfall, topography, rock type, rock structurs, vegetation, and local evaporation.

Variation in even one of these can affect the potential yield of a bore or well, the groundwater salinity, and even whether any groundwater occurs at all.

Copper, Zinc And Molybdenum Fertilizers For New Land Crops And Pastures : 1969, J W. Gartrell, R. N. Glencross

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

Four years of intensive research into soil deficiencies in developing areas have resulted in a more comprehensive understanding of the need for trace elements in Western Australia.

West Midlands Development : Selection Of Areas For Development, J A. Swarts

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

BEFORE commencing any clearing or fencing on a new property it is most important to carefully select those areas which are to be developed first.

West Midlands Development : The Interpretation Of Lands Department Soil Maps Of The West Midlands Area, T C. Stoneman

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

Before most Crown land in the West Midlands area was released, Lands Department survey parties examined and mapped the soils using a soil classification system based on technical advice from the Department of Agriculture.

Applying Copper And Zinc Fertilizers To Cereals, H M. Fisher

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

Most light soils with a sandy or gravelly surface are likely to need copper and zinc; heavier clay or loamy soils mostly do not.

Trace Elements For Cereal Crops And Pastures, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

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

TRACE element deficiencies are widespread in Western Australia and application of copper, zinc, molybdenum and cobalt have played a major part in land development in this State.

Research Officer E. N. Fitzpatrick, M.Sc. (Agric.) reviews recent Department of Agriculture research on the use of Trace elements for crop and pasture growth on deficient soils in Western Australia.

Copper Minerals For Fertilizer Use, R N. Glencross

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

COPPER fertilizers have an important role in maintaining: and increasing Western Australia's agricultural production.

On many soils they are essential for cereal growing or pasture production and persistence and for animal health and wool quality.

They are also sometimes used for fruit trees, vines, and vegetables.