Earth Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Cauliflower And Broccoli Varieties: Autumn Planting (January - May 2006), Kristen Stirling

Horticulture research reports

This document has been prepared from a cauliflower and broccoli variety evaluation trial conducted at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute, South Western Highway, Manjimup WA 6258. The results reflect the growth characteristics, yield, quality and density of the cauliflower and broccoli varieties as recorded at this site during the conditions of the growing period (January to May 2006).

This report is the second in a series of four produced from the evaluation of cauliflower and broccoli varieties conducted at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute. The results are provided to allow seed suppliers, seedling nurseries, producers, packers and marketers to identify …

Evaluation Of Water-Retention Ability Of Eastern Arkansas Prairie And Agricultural Soil, Maria L. Barrenechea, Kristofor R. Brye

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Agricultural land use affects soil physical properties, such as bulk density, water content, organic matter content, and soil structure; all of which in turn affect ecosystem productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of: 1) time since aboveground biomass has been removed by haying (i.e., 0 vs. 23 years), and 2) land use (i.e., undisturbed tallgrass prairie vs. cultivated agriculture) on water-retention characteristics in a silt-loam soil of the Grand Prairie region of eastern Arkansas. Soil samples were collected from the 0- to 10-cm depth and were wetted with varying amounts of distillated water to create …

Influence Of Simultaneous Infestations Of Prostephanus Truncatus And Sitophilus Zeamaison The Reproductive Performance And Maize Damage, C P Rugumamu

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study examined the combined effect of Prostephanus truncatus and  Sitophilus zeamais infestations on their reproductive performance and on the damage they cause to maize variety ZM 621 with 12.5% moisture content. The specific objective was to determine the number of the insect pests at F1 and F2 and the grain weight losses caused by the simultaneous pests\' infestations of shelled maize in the search for a control strategy. The results showed a change in adult insect numbers from F1 to F2. During single infestation the change in P. truncatus was 47.54% while in simultaneous infestations it was 41.66%. The …

Key Grazing Levels (Foo Targets) For Pasture And Sheep Management, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Food On Offer (FOO) is the amount of pasture in front of an animal, and is measured in kilograms Dry Matter per hectare. Managing pastures to key grazing levels - or FOO targets - can result in improved production of grazing systems in Mediterranean environments which are characterized by slow winter growth, peak spring growth and dry summers. These targets vary according to what production response is required.

This information sheet illustrates key target FOO for sheep grazing annual pastures during autumn and spring.

Sheep Updates 2003 - Pastures, Ed Barrett-Lennard, Hayley Norman, Robyn Dynes, David Masters, David Henry, Stephen Gherardi, Graham Donald, Asoka Edirisinghe, Chris Oldham, Richard Smith, Joanne Sneddon, Mike Hyder, Andrew Thompson, Kazue Tanaka, Roy Latta, Chris Matthews, Brad Nutt, Angela Loi, Tim Wiley

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: 1. Pastures for saline land, Ed Barrett-Lennard 1Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Hayley Norman, Robyn Dynes and David Masters CSIRO Livestock Industries, Centre for Mediterranean Agricultural Research, Floreat Park, 2. Feeding value - the essential link between pastures and animals CSIRO Livestock Industries, Centre for Environmental and Life Sciences 3. ‘Pastures from space’ - how do we do it, how well do we do it and what do producers think about it? Stephen Gherardi Department of Agriculture Western Australia Graham Donald Asoka Edirisinghe Dave Henry CSIRO Livestock Industries Chris Oldham Department of …

A Watershed Analysis Of Threemile Pond: Implications For Water Quality And Land Use Management, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Threemile Pond (2003)

The 2003 Colby Environmental Assessment Team chose to study the Threemile Pond watershed. The Threemile Pond watershed is located in Vassalboro, China., Windsor, and Augusta, Maine. Threemile Pond is a popular site for recreation and is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. Like all other lakes in Maine, it is a young lake. However, intensive human activity in the watershed contributes a substantial amount of nutrients and the lake has algal blooms annually in the summer months. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of land use and development on the water quality of …

Farming Systems To Manage Salinity. Farmer Directed Research, Development And Extension. Research Results 2001, Richard Olive

Natural resources published reports

More and more of Western Australia's agnicultural lands are becoming saline. Currently it is estimated that about 18 milliion ha of land are affected to a greater or lesser degree by salinity causing production losses estimated at about $70 million a year.

Unless ways are found to halt and reverse the salinisation of land it is estimated that another 4.4 million ha could become saline over the next 50 years.

Grain growers and the Federal Government, through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). are investing $12 4 million in R&D across Australia to develop productive solutions to the salinity …

Buntine-West Wubin And West Maya Catchment Management Report, William Oldfield, Natalie Hunt

Natural resources published reports

Buntine West/Wubin land Conservation District was formed when a number of landholders wanted to extend and join on to some existing deep drains. At first the group concentrated on the deep drains with some farmers joining on anda project to connect the drains up througha naturally occurring saline area and to run the main drain into a salt lake system. Funding was attained for 50% of the project and farmers with drains paid for the rest. It was considered unfair for landowners whose land this drain went through to pay all the cost as it was not draining arable land. …

Bulletin 4283 - Nitrogen Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M. G. Mason

Bulletins 4000 -

Because fertiliser prices are high, it is important to understand what affects the response to fertilisers by crops.

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, you need some understanding of how these factors work.

Greatest responses to nitrogen fertilisers can be expected in areas with a relatively long growing season. In such areas light soils with a low nitrogen status give the …

Miscellaneous Publication 42/93 - Development And Dissemination Of Design Methods For Rangeland Paddocks Which Maximise Animal Production And Minimise Land Degradation, Shane Cridland, Mark Stafford Smith

Animal production and livestock published reports

Surveys of rangeland resources in Western Australia to date have shown that 23% of the area surveyed is in poor range condition. Poor condition is characterised by the loss of perennial vegetation allowing wind and water erosion. Approximately another 37% is in only fair range condition (Curry and Hacker 1990).

The loss of range condition is partly due to uneven use of paddocks by sheep and cattle. The areas close to water and the preferred pasture types are often over-utilised, while areas well away from water and less preferred pasture types are under-utilised. The result is that rangeland in good, …

Establishment Of Lupin Seedlings, Miles Dracup

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

Good seedbed conditions lead to high and rapid seedling emergence and vigorous seedlings best equipped to avoid disease, weed competition and sand-blasting. Good establishment is needed for a high yielding crop.

In Western Australia, seedbed moisture and temperature are most likely to limit successful emergence of lupins, especially with the trend toward early sowing.

Research by the Department of Agriculture is helping to define seedbed temperature and moisture requirements for successful lupin establishment that will help future research for improving seedbed conditions.

New Yellow Serradella Varieties For Low Rainfall Pastures, Clinton Revell

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

Large areas of acidic, sandy soils in Western Australia's low and medium rainfall, wheatsheep areas are suited to the pasture legume, yellow serradella.

In the past, a lack of varieties with suitable maturity has limited the use of this species.

New varieties developed in Western Australia and significantly earlier in maturity than traditional types can now extend the use of yellow serradella into these regions.

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 …

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.

Introducing Onslow, Western Australian Department Of Agriculture

Grain and other field crops published reports

Onslow Barley........ a new breed of barley for the southern high rainfall areas (see map VH,H4 &H5). Suited to May plantings, Onslow is the first barley developed specifically for the long growing seasons in these areas.

For the first time barley growers have a variety designed for those 4 t/ha plus yields which research shows are possible with early sowing.

Onslow is the first of a new breed of barley cultivars developed in Western Australia specifically for the southern high rainfall areas which have a long growing season.

Miscellaneous Production 23/87 - Animal Production In The Spinifex And Shrubland Regions Of Western Australia, D. Burnside

Animal production and livestock published reports

The role of the Rangeland Management Branch is to promote the sustained economic use of the rangeland resource. It provides research and extension services to the pastoral industry, provides advice on the condition of the range resource to Government and provides technical information on rangelands to other rangeland managers. A principal objective to be met in fulfilling that role is the development and promotion of economically efficient place systems that conserve the rangeland resource. At the inaugural Pastoral Soil Conservation Districts Conference in Meekatharra in May 1987, pastoralist delegates emphasized the importance of achieving that objective within the various soil …

The Use Of Permeability, Conductivity, Conductance And Resistance In The Description Of Water Movement In Soils And Plants, H Borg

Resource management technical reports

Permeability, conductivity, conductance and resistance are important parameters in the description of water movement in soils and plants. These terms are related, but not synonymous. Permeability is only a function of the flow pathgeometry of the medium, while conductivity also depends on the fluid involved. Conductance, in addition, takes the size of the medium into account. Resistance is simply the inverse ofconductance. By applying the definition of resistance, it isshown that Darcy's law and Ohm's law are equivalent. Conductance and resistance relate volume flow rate to a potential difference, but to relate volume flux (volume flowrate per unit area) to …

Looking At Lupins - Lupin Management In The South Eastern Wheatbelt, W. L. Smart, M. M. Ralph, J. M. Liddle, R.. D. Ramm, C. J. Robinson, E. W. Armstrong

Grain and other field crops research reports

In the past couple of years research into lupins has increased substantially particularly in the fields of weed control, seeding rates, and control of diseases such as brown leaf spot and pleiochaeta root rot. This report is a summary of the lupin trials in the Lake Grace advisory area as well as a guide to better lupin farming.

Soil Acidity And Legume Nodulation, J G. Howieson, M. A. Ewing

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

Nitrogen is a basic constituent of protien and is essential to all forms of life. Many agricultural plants are legumes - a group of plants which, in co-operation with specialised soil bacteria, fix their own nitrogen from the air. When the legume dies, the organic matter breaks down anf the nitrogen becomes available to the following crops.

Soil acidity is a major factor limitimg the successful association between legumes and their beneficial soil bacteria in Western Australia.

The Effects Of N-Serve On The Availability Of Urea And Ureaformaldehyde Nitrogen On Lolium Perenne L., Ronald E. Schroll

Masters Theses

Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the effect of "N-Serve" (DOW) on the availability of urea nitrogen and the subsequent greening effect on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seedlings as compared to the availability of nitrogen and subsequent greening from a controlled release ureaformaldehyde fertilizer. A low organic matter sandy loam soil and a high organic matter clay loam soil were used in this study. Soil treatments of urea and ureaformaldehyde fertilizers were applied and incorporated at concentrations of 0, 25, 38, and 50 ppm-N. N-Serve at concentrations of 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 ppm active ingredient were applied and …

Ecotypic Differentiation Of Andropogon Virginicus L. In Relation To Strip Mine Spoil Banks, Valina Kay Hurt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Reciprocal plantings of populations of broomsedge, taken from an abandoned strip mine and from an abandoned farm plot in south central Kentucky, on strip mine spoil and abandoned field soil resulted in patterns of populations differentiation. Clonal plantings of populations from strip mine habitats and old field development appeared equal in height and biomass when grown on old field soils in both field trials and growth chamber studies. Populations when planted in strip mine soils in field trials and controlled growth experiments. Later flowering in strip mine populations may be a key to survival strategy in the harsh microclimates of …

Bulletin 3992 - Nitrogenous Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M. G. Mason

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Because fertiliser prices continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly important to understand what affects the response to fertilisers by crops.

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, the farmer needs some understanding of how these factors work.

Plants As Pumps, E A N Greenwood

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

Native species vary greatly in their ability to pump ground water.

CSIRO studies are measuring water use by different plants to plan revegetation strategies.

Beach Vegetation And Oceanic Processes Study Of Popham State Park Beach, Reid State Park Beach, And Small Pt. Beach, Philip Trudeau, Paul J. Godfrey, Barry S. Timson

Maine Collection

Beach Vegetation and Oceanic Processes Study of Popham State Park Beach, Reid State Park Beach, and Small Pt. Beach

by Philip Trudeau, Paul J. Godfrey and Barry S. Timson

"Prepared Under Cooperative Agreement Between the Maine Department of Conservation and the Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, September 1977."

On Cover: Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development Project.

Contents: List of Figures / List of Tables / Introduction / Plant Community Research / Oceanic Processes / Historic Analysis of Barrier Beach Movement and Erosion / Dune Dynamics / Suggestions for Long Term Management / Appendices A - …

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 …

Growing Plants With Salty Water, C V. Malcolm, S. T. Smith

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

LACK of good quality water in many parts of Western Australia often forces people to use salty water for irrigation and gardening.

This article gives some hints on how to reduce salt damage to plants when salty water must be used for irrigation or gardening.

It includes a table of plants which may be irrigated with water of varying degrees of salinity and lists precautions which should be taken for each group.

Promising Results On West Kimberley Pindan Country, A L. Payne

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

IN the 22 to 28 inch rainfall belt of the West Kimberley area of Western Australia are extensive areas of what is locally known as "pindan" country.

The term "pindan" refers to a light red or yellow sandy soil type supporting scattered Eucalypts, sparse-dense wattle scrub and grasses such as curly spinifex, ribbon grass and native sorghum.

Lupins In Western Australia. 2. Cultivation Methods, John Sylvester Gladstones

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

While lupins are by and large plants of lighter and less fertile soils, important differences exist among them in their soil preferences.

There may also be some differences in climatic requirements. Present knowledge of these differences is summarized in the Table below.

A Soil And Vegetation Inventory And Analysis Of Three Nebraska Sandhills Range Sites, Donald F. Burzlaff

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station: Historical Research Bulletins

This study was undertaken to inventory the soils and vegetation of certain areas of the Sandhills and to seek edaphic characteristics that may be the limiting factor in the distribution of various plant species. Information of this nature will permit formulation of more accurate management practices because of a refinement in delineation of range sites.

Potassium Deficiency In Medium Rainfall Areas, William John Toms

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

IT is well known that potassic fertilisers must be used for the successful growth of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on many soils in the higher rainfall districts of Western Australia.

Recent investigations have shown that some soils in medium rainfall districts are also too low in potassium to grow healthy subterranean clover pastures.