Earth Sciences Commons^™

The Role Of Earthworms In Western Australian Agriculture, Tom Mccredie, Lex Parker

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

Earthworms have a reputation as soil builders and renovators, particularly among 'organic' farmers and gardeners. They improve soil fertility through increased aeration, aggregation, water infiltration and release of nutrients from organic matter. However, the benefits of earthworms in the wheatbelt have been doubted for many years because of their poor survival in cultivated soils.

Since cropping began in the Western Auslmlian whealbelt over 1OO years ago, the physical condition of many soils has deteriorated. The primary causes of soil degradation were the European cultivation practices used by farmers and the trampling effect of introduced animals. in particular, sheep.

A Review Of Plant Introductions To The Kimberley 1955 To 1987, R Mccartney

Grain and other field crops published reports

This report summarizes the work done by the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, in the west and north Kimberley in introducing plant species during 1955-1987.

For the purposes of this repor1the following areas are defined thus:

• West Kimberley- lies between latitude 17°5 and 19°5 and longitude 121°E and 127°E, with an extension to the north of 1° between 121°E and I 24°20'E. The area is 118,000 km".

• North Kimberley - lies north of latitude 17°5 and between longitude 124°20'E and 127°30'E. The area is 85,000 km'.

• East Kimberley-lies north of latitude 19°5 and between longitude 127°30'E and …

Revegetation Guide To The Central Wheatbelt, E C. Lefroy, R J. Hobbs, L J. Atkins, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia, Csiro, Division Of Wildlife And Ecology

Bulletins 4000 -

The rapid development of the central wheatbelt for agriculture over the past century has produced a productive farming landscape, but one which is increasingly subject to degradation. Erosion, salinization, declining soil structure, waterlogging and acidification are all symptoms of this degradation and causes of lost agricultural production. In addition, most of the native vegetation and many of the native animals have disappeared, and the natural heritage of the area resides in small scattered patches that together make up only seven per cent of the wheatbelt region.

Many farmers now recognize that replanting trees and shrubs is an effective means of …

Pasture Condition Guides For The Murchison River Catchment, A Fox, T R. Eckersley

Soil conservation survey collection

Knowledge of the pasture resource and its capabilities is essential to sustainable use of the rangelands. Rangeland managers must be able to recognise firstly the different pasture types, and secondly, the differences between present condition classes for each type. Both factors affect the stock carrying capacity, and appropriate pastoral management of a pasture. This guide has been produced for use by pastoralists to assist them to recognise and assess the condition of the perennial pasture resource of their own properties. The guide describes the condition states found in 10 of the most widespread pastures of the Murchison River catchment (Fig. …

Performance Of Annual Legumes And Their Mixes Under Different Crop:Pasture Rotation., P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA64, 86KA65 and 86KA66

Performance of annual legumes and their mixtures under different crop:pasture rotations.

Seed reserves, especially in the 1:1 rotation treatment, are on average below 100 kg/ha and in many cases below 50 kg/ha for all three soil types. Because of this the 1991 season will be used to fertilize, control weeds, and apply a grazing management system to favour legume production and seed set. No crop will be sown in 1991.

Sub clover flowering, sequential sowings.

Location: Katanning

To provide seven different temperature and photoperiod regimes, eight cultivars of sub clover ranging in maturity from Nungarin …

Seed Phosphorus In Wheat And Lupins, Blakely Paynter, K. Adcock, R. W. Bell, Tim Pope

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90NO119

Seed P in wheat.

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing wheat (cv. Aroona) seed from 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO120

Seed P in wheat.

Location: York

Design: 2 applied from P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, 89N33 at 70 kg/ha on May 25, 1990.

Trial 90NO117

Seed P in lupins

Location: Greenhills.

Design: 2 applied P x 3 seed P x 4 replicates, sowing lupins (cv. Gungurru) from 85BA35 at 100 kg/ha on May 15, 1990.

Trial 90NO118

Seed P in lupins.

Location: …

Adjusting Farm Strategy To Allow For Seasonal Conditions, Andrew Bathgate, Stephen Robinson, Ross Kingwell

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

Changes in the price of wheat did not alter the selection of best rotations on various soils, or the area of crop, in an economic study done by the Department of Agriculture. When determining what area to crop, it is much more important to consider the type of start to the season, the amount of summer rainfall and whether light land can be sown early. If there is a good start to the season, the size of the increase in the area of crop depends on the capacity of seeding gear and the mix of soil classes on the farm.

Windbreaks Prove Their Worth, Tim Negus

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

Strong winds in the south-west of Western Australia in April 1991 carted tonnes of top soil from stubbles, over-grazed pastures, and recently prepared cropping land. However, where there were windbreaks, downwind protection into the paddock was up to 10 to 20 times the height of the windbreaks. On May 1, 1991, the author inspected farm land for damage from Narrogin to the Dongolocking area, to Harrismith, up the rabbit-proof fence to West Corrigin and back to Narrogin via Kweda. He found the extent of soil erosion varied, and that some tree species planted in windbreaks gave better protection than others

Whole-Farm Planning : Success At Wilgi Creek, Kevin Shanhun

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

Ian and Bev Lynch own Wilgi Creek, a 376 ha mixed farming property at West Mount Barker in the 700 mm rainfall zone. In 1983, they started a whole-farm plan to overcome the problems of declining production caused by waterlogging (their biggest problem), salinity and deterioration of the remnant native vegetation. Today, their property is an example of a successful, wholefarm land conservation plan based on agroforestry, timber production, water harvesting and improved pastures.

Development Of Procedures To Determine The Fertilizer Requirements Of Annual Pasture Legumes Grown In Cereal Cropping Systems., Blakely H. Paynter

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials 88ME67, 88SC17, 90ME1 and 90ME2

Location: Merredin

To determine the phosphate (P) fertilizer requirements of burr medic on marginally acidic, medium textured soils and yellow serradella on acidic, light textured soils.

Trials 89ME52, 89ME55 and 86ME61

Location: Merredin

Determine the response of yellow serradella and burr medic to residual phosphate and freshly applied phosphate.

Trials 89ME50, 89ME54, 88ME67, 88SC17, 89ME60

Location: Merredin.

To measure the influence of different levels of pasture productivity (generated by different levels of P supply) and the different pasture legumes on subsequent wheat crops.

Pasture And Fodder Shrub Species For Deep Sandy Soils., Tim Wiley

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90MO64

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: Moora.

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.1 in CaC1^₂.

Trial 90MO65

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Gillingarra

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand, moisture at depth pH 5.9 - 6.0 in CaC1₂

Trial 90MO66

The evaluation of alternative pasture species on deep sandy soils.

Location: West Koojan

Soil type: Deep siliceous sand pH 5.8 - 5.9 in CaC1₂

Trial 89BA40

Tagasaste establishment trial

Location: Badgingarra Research Station.

Soil type: poor quality …

Tree Crops For Profit And Land Improvement, John Bartle

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

Western Australian agriculture is deficient in good perennial species. The traditional segregation of agriculture and forestry has diverted attention from commercial wood producing trees as a potential perennial crop. Recently, scientists have made rapid progress in developing tree cropping systems suitable for extensive use in the wetter (more than 600 mm average annual rainfall) areas of the lower south-west. There is potential for a major industry based on fast-growing eucalypts for pulpwood. The foundations for this industry developed from work on agroforestry, forestry sharefarming and salinity control.

Narrow-Winged Seeder Points Reduce Water Erosion And Maintain Crop Yields, Kevin Bligh

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

Sowing crops without loosening the topsoil by tillage reduces water erosion. It can increase infiltration of rainfall into loamy soils, thereby reducing runoff and increasing potential crop yields. Crop yields were maintained after I1 seasons of seeding an Avon Valley loam near Beverley with minimum and no-tillage seeding operations. Infiltration increased significantly from 80 per cent of the 1983 growing-season rainfall under the traditional three tillage operations, to 87per cent under a single tillage operation using a combine seed drill. Infiltration increased further to 96 per cent under a no-tillage system using a triple^lisc drill. At Gnowangerup, 80 per cent …

Toward Better Minimum Tillage For South-Coastal Sandplain Soils, W L. Crabtree

Resource management technical reports

Seventeen farmers compared their conventional cropping practices with some form of minimum tillage cropping. The minimum tilled crops yielded 21 percent less grain than the conventionally sown crops. The reasons for these decreased yields were in most cases related to inexperienced management. The minimum tilled treatments usually had very poor weed kill strategies which often resulted in large weeds at sowing, very cloddy seed-beds, and numerous insects in the young crops.

Rhizoctonia Bare Patch Of Cereals And Lupins. Sterile Red Fungus (Srf) And Control Of Take-All Disease In Wheat., G. C. Macnish

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86E31

Rhizoctonia strains and paddock history.

Location: Esperance Downs Research Station ( Paddock C5)

To determine the effects of pasture, cultivation and cropping on Rhizoctonia root rot, Rhizoctonia patch and distribution of patch and non-patch strains of R. spp

Trial 88E39

Rhizoctonia patch mini-plot establishment area.

Location: Esperance Downs Research Station ( Paddock N1B)

To examine the effects of cultivation and minimum tillage in patches in lupins and to provide sites for mini-plot experiment.

Trial 88KO15

Rhizoctonia bare patch establishment area.

Location: Kojaneerup annex.

To establish an area (with a known history) for future research.

Trial 89E12

Rhizoctonia bare …

Evaluation Of Trifolium Pasture Species On A Summer Moist Joel Sub Soil North West Of Harvey., R. Snowball

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90HA2

Introduce a range of long season annual pasture species and 1 perennial species in order to utilize summer sub soil moisture more effectively than the existing subterranean clover pastures.

Stunt Patch Disorder Of Lupins., Miles Dracup

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89ME1 and 90ME5

Stunt patch disorder of lupins.

Location: Merredin.

Studies on the disorder have been initiated (89ME1 and 90ME5) on two sites 15 km south of Merredin. This report will summarize data on:

1) The soil;

2) Soil strength and lupin emergence on 90ME5; and

3) Soil chemical and physical characteristics associated with the patches on 89ME1 (investigations by A. Thomson for B Sc (Agric) dissertation).

Trial 90PE56

Understanding the importance of moisture and temperature in the seedbed on establishment of lupin.

However, despite their importance in determining the success of establishment, there have been few attempts to …

Grain Legume Adaptation To Soil Type, R. J. French

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90ME8, 9 and 10

Location: Bencubbin.

90ME8. Deep loamy sand. pH(CaC12) = 4.9 at surface and 3.7 at 50 cm.
90ME9. Sand over clay at 25-30 cm. pH(CaC12) = 5.7 at surface and 8.3 at 50 cm. 90ME10. Sandy loam over clay at 15 cm. pH(CaC12) = 5.5 at surface and 8.4 at 50 cm

Trial 90ME11 and 13

Location: Totadgin.

90ME11. Deep loamy sand. pH (CaC12) = 4.5 at surface and 3.9 at 50 cm. 90ME13. Loamy sand over sandy clay at 10 cm. pH (CaC12) = not yet available due to instrument difficulties.

Trial 90ME14, 15 and …

Demonstration Of Pasture Cultivars On Various Soil Types In The Geraldton Distict., Brad Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90GE13

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a Chapman Valley red/brown sandy loam.

Location: Northern Gulley,

SOIL TYPE: Red/brown sandy loam pH 5 . 4 (water)

Trial 90GE14

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a gravelly grey sand at Allanooka.

Location: Allanooka.

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly grey sand, pH 5.8 (water)

Trial 90GE15

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on an Eradu sandplain soil.

Location: Ogilivie.

SOIL TYPE: Deep yellow loamy sand, pH 6.0 (water)

Trial 90GE16

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a low rainfall maasive red earth at Mullewa.

Location: Mullewa.

SOIL TYPE: Red sandy clay loam pH 6.2 (water)

Crop Tolerance To Herbicides., D. Bowran

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Tolerance of New Cereal Varieties to Current Herbicides EX 5506 Trial Nos: 90AL41, 90EC36, 90EB45, 90KA130, 90M85, 90NA100

2. Tolerance of Current Cereal Varieties to New Herbicides EX 5506 Trial Nos: 90M86, 90EC35, 90N74

3. Metribuzin Tolerance of Cereal Varieties EX 5507 Trial Nos: 90EC37

4. Lupin Tolerance to Herbicides EX 5508 Trial Nos: 90EC34, 90EB44

5. Pea Tolerance to Herbicides EX 5509 Trial Nos: 90KA131, 89KA64

6. Pasture Legume Tolerance to Herbicides EX 64522 Trial Nos: 90KA132,

Plant Growth And Survival In Saline, Waterlogged Soils, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Neil Davidson, Richard Galloway

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

Waterlogged soils in Western Australia are often salt-affected. Recent research has shown that the interaction between waterlogging and salinity has a far greater adverse effect on plant groivth and survival than either of these two factors individually. The consequences of the combined effects of salt and waterlogging for most plant species are increased salt uptake, reduced growth, chlorosis (yellowing of leaves), defoliation, and death. Salt sensitive agricultural species (nonhalophytes) are more severely affected by this interaction than salt tolerant species (halophytes).

Waterlogging : How It Reduces Plant Growth And How Plants Can Overcome Its Effects, Tim Setter, Bob Belford

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

Lack of oxygen is the major cause of limited plant growth in waterlogged soils. When soils become waterlogged less gas diffuses to and from the roots through the soil pores; there are changes in concentrations of mineral elements in soil solutions; and toxic products of roots and soil microorganisms begin to accumulate. These changes adversely affect germination, growth and development of plants.

Yield Potential Of Barley., J H. Moore, G R. Dean

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Barley yield potential demonstration, 89A130. Barley yield potential, 89A131. Logan herbicide mixtures, 89AL28. Logran herbicide mixtures for wheat and barley, 89AL29. Darnel control in cereals, 89AL38. Fumitory control in peas, 89AL37. Freezer pea herbicides, 89AL36. Post emergence weed control in processing peas, 89MC16. Post emergence weed control in processing peas, 89MC17. Diuron + 2, 4-DB effect on Zodiac Medic, 89AL41. Bladex, Diuron, 2, 4, DB and pursuit on doublegee in pasture. Diuron + 2, 4-DB for sheep thistle control in pasture. Bracken controlwith brush off, 89AL40.

Long-Term Rotation Trials., I. Rowland, W. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 66M29

Location: Merredin Research Station.

An old land site, cleared in 1909. First sown to Cyprus Barrel medic in 1955, grazed and topdressed. Cropped, 1962 and 1964. Medic resown in 1965.

Trial 67C13

Location: Chapman Research Station

An old land site, cleared in 1903. Sown to Dwalganup sub clover in 1964, topdressed each year until the start of the trial in 1967. In 1981 to 83 all plots were reseeded with Northam at 20 kg/ha. In 1988 rotations were altered to allow inclusion of grain lupins, the following changes were made:

1. The 4 plots of 2 crop :2 …

Field Pea Agronomy., G. H. Walton, T. R. Trent

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90M64

Site and variety effect on ovule abortion.

Location: Merredin Research Station CSIRO lease block.

To understand the causes of ovule abortion in field peas.

Trial 90M65

Response to seeding rates of peas with different plant architecture.

Location: Merredin Research Station, paddock 8CW3

To compare the yield responses of different pea types to seeding rates.

Trial 90A26

Nitrogen fixation in field pea.

Location: Avondale Research Station, paddock 1C

To compare the growth, N-fixation and yield of 'nodulating' crossbred material against the commercial cultivars of Dundale, Alma, Wirrega and Dinku.

Trial 90A18

Chickpea germplasm introductions.

Location: Avondale Research Station, paddock …

Phosphorus Nutrition., M. D. Bolland, M. J. Baker

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Evaluation of soil test for phosphate on sandy soils.

Results presented for this project, commenced in 1988, which started as a joint project between the Department of Agriculture and Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, School of Agriculture, University of Western Australia.

In the field experiments, 10 levels of superphosphate (three replicates) were applied in May 1988, and 10 levels of superphosphate (also three replicates) were applied in May 1989 onto an adjacent area to the 1988 treatments. Colwell P I(soil test values) and yield data are presented for 1988 and 1989 for the 1988 treatments layed out in 1988, and …

Getting The Best Out Of Our Wheats., Brenda Shackley, L. Lambert

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials: 90KA82 (TOS1), 90KA83 (TOS 2), 90KA84 (TOS 3)
90LG4 (TOS 1), 90LG45 (TOS 2), 90LG46 (TOS 3)
90LG47 (TOS 1), 90LG48 (TOS 2), 90LG49 (TOS 3)
90N42 (TOS 1), 90N43 (TOS 2), 90N44 (TOS 3)

Variety * time of sowing (TOS)

Locations: Wagin, Tarin Rock, Newdegate Research Station and Lake Varley.

Determine the optimum sowing date for maximum yield for a range of released and unreleased wheat cultivars.

Trials: 90KA79, 90LG50, 90LG51, 90N62

Nitrogen application.

Locations: Wagin, Tarin Rock, Newdegate Station and Lake Varley.

Determine the response of released and unreleased wheat cultivars to the application of nitrogen.

Trials: …

Seeding Rate For Lupins For The South Coast., M. Seymour

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90ES1, 90ES2, 90ES3, 90ES4, 90E5

Lupin seed rate x variety.

Location: Kendells Rd Scaddan, Condingup, Mt Ridley.

To evaluate the response of lupin to a range of plant densities when grown in high rainfall/long growing season environments.

Trial 90SG5, 90SG6

Lupin seed rate x variety.

Location: Salmon Gums Research Station.

To evaluate the response of lupin to a range of plant densities.

Trial 90KO1

Lupin seed rate x variety

Location: South Stirlings.

To evaluate the response of lupin to a range of plant densities when grown in high/long growing season environments.

Use Of Soil Water Measurements To Assist Crop Management In Low Rainfall Areas., S. Mckeague, M. Perry, D. Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90M9

Trial summary.

Location: Merredin Research Station.

90M9 was established as part of the long term monitoring system to obtain base information on water use from several different soils. A simple rotation experiment was established in T3 on the Merredin Research Station.

Trial 89ME32

Rowspacing summary.

Location: Merredin Research Station.

89ME32 was monitored as part of the long term monitoring system. Previous to 1990 two years of continued measurements had been done on the same soil type. Located on the CSIRO lease block above the Merredin Research Station on Crook's property.

Trial 87M71

Heavyload rowspacing summary.

Location: Merredin Research …

Direct Drilling On Sandplain Soils., Carmel Schmidt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90EC29

Effect of depth and degree of soil disturbance on root and shoot growth of wheat on wind erosion prone sandy soil.

Location: East Chapman Research Station.

The long-term fertility and stability of the yellow, grey and white sands which make up 60% of the northern wheatbelt soils can only be safeguarded through strict adherence to conservation cropping practices: notably, direct drilling of both cereal and lupin crops. Work by R. Jarvis has shown a 10 - 15% yield advantage due to cultivation of sandplain soils, and data suggest that it is cultivation depth (degree of soil loosening) rather …