Earth Sciences Commons^™

Saltland Drainage : Case Studies, P R. George, R A. Nulsen

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

Over the past five years farmers have become increasingly interested in the use of drainage to overcome saltland problems.

Experimental work by the Department of Agriculture on sub-surface drainage includes tube drainage and drainage by pumping. The Department is also monitoring the performance of open drains installed by farmers. Major sites are at Esperance, Dalwallinu, Namban and Watheroo.

Some of these projects have been reported in an earlier issue of the Journal of Agriculture. In this article P. R. George, Research Officer and R. A. Nulsen, Principal Research Officer with the Salinity and Hydrology Research Branch, discuss recent results from …

Drainage To Control Waterlogging, D J. Mcfarlane, T R. Negus, J W. Cox

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

Drains can be classified in several ways. Drains on flat land have similar drainage effects on either side of the drain and are called relief drains. Drains on sloping land intercept seepage water moving down hillsides and therefore have most effect on the downslope side. They are called interceptor drains.

Drains can also be classified as being open drains (that is, open at the ground surface) or buried drains (for example, tube drains).

Draining Irrigation Areas, K S. Cole, J P. Middlemas

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

Many irrigation schemes throughout the world have turned into unproductive saline flats and swamps. This dramatic change can occur within a few years of irrigation starting and has been part of irrigation schemes from earliest times up to the present day.

The main cause of this salinisation is normally excess irrigation water use combined with poor drainage. Any form of waterlogging will have an adverse effect on plant growth.

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 …

Assessment Of Waterlogged Sites, D J. Mcfarlane

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

Soil is said to be waterlogged if any part of the plant root zone is saturated with water. In severe cases soil is saturated to the surface and waterlogging is obvious. Waterlogging is distinguished from flooding in which surface runoff brings down water from higher up in a catchment. However, flooding may result in waterlogged sites.

Boron Toxicity In Barley., M. M. Riley, J. W. Gartrell, R. F. Brennan, T. N. Kahn

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field trials. Intraspecific variation in Barley to Boron toxicity, 85Me55, 85SG29, 85SG33. Glasshouse experiments. Sampling techniques for Boron toxicity in Barley, 85GL2. Cartwright rating system, leaf rating system.

Residual Value Of Legumes., J. Hamblin, R. Delane, G. Adam, A Bishop

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report examines the residual value of lupins and several other species grown at ECRS in 1984 on the yield of wheat in 1985 (85 C 25). 85 C 46 examined the residual effect of several lupin species and varieties grown under different nutritional treatments in 1984 at two sites differing in rainfall on wheat yields in 1985. 85 C 47 examines the interaction between levels of applied potassium and deep cultivation (ripping) on the yield of wheat at a low K, dry site.

Report on 85 C 27, 85 C 46 and 85 C 47.

Pasture Research Programme For The Medium Rainfall Zone Of W.A. Species Selection And Management Related In Particular To The Ryegrass Toxicity Problem (Fund 492/0035)., C. K. Revell, C. W. Thorn

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Species evaluation, 85KA69, 85 KA 70, 85 KA 94, 85 KA 68. Small plot evaluation, 85 KA 89, 8S KA 90. Long term medic species evaluation, 82 KA 44, 82 KA 45. Drill run evaluation of M. polymorpha, 84 KA 38, 84 KA 39, 84 KA 40. Species characterization trials, 83 KA 66, 83 KA 67. Serradella evaluation, 85 KA 72, 85 KA 73, 85 KA 74, 85 KA 76

Organic Source Of Nitrogen Trials & Miscellaneous Trials., J. W. Bowden, A. Diggle, R. J. Lunt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Nitrogen sources Badgingarra 85BA3 Organic Source of Nitrogen 8SBA4 Interaction of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen sources 85BAS Miscellaneous Organic Nitrogen Sources 85BA39 Times and Levels of Inorganic Nitrogen Application Lancelin 85M02 Organic sources of nitrogen 85M03 Interaction of Organic and Inorganic Nitrogen Sources 85M04 Miscellaneous Organic Nitrogen Sources 85MOS3 Times and Levels of Inorganic Nitrogen Application Meckering 85N01 Organic Sources of Nitrogen 85N03 Miscellaneous Organic Nitrogen Sources 85NOS9 Times and Levels of Inorganic Nitrogen Application 2. Miscellaneous trials 84M6 Rates of Nitrogen on Wheat - CSIRO Megatrial (E. Harvey) 85M4 Nitrogen and Water on Wheat (with M. Mason) 83WH29 …

Weed Seed Ecology., A. H. Cheam

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Emergence of weed seedlings from different soil depths. 82MT49, Mt Barker Research Station. 83MT4, Mt Barker Research Station. 82NR12, Northam Research Station. 83NR2, Northam Research Station. 82C37, Chapman Research Station. 83C3, Chapman Research Station. Longevity of buried weed seeds. 82MT50, Mt Barker Research Station. 83MT5, Mt Barker Research Station. 82NR13, Northam Research Station. 83NR3, Northam Research Station. 82C38, Chapman Research Station. 83C4, Chapman Research Station. Emergence of weed seedlings in relation to soil type and cultivation. 82PE32, South Perth. Emergence and fate of weed seeds in different depths of cultivated and undisturbed compacted soil. 84C49, Chapman Research Station. 84MT62, Mt …

Low Rainfall Pasture Project., M. A. Ewing

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Variety experiments, rows 85M53, small plots 85M54, large plots, 85M43, 85N21, 85ME49, 85M44. defoliation comparison, 85M41. Pasture establishment systems, 85N25, 85N26, 85M52, 85M45, 85M46, 85M47, 85ME61, 85M62, 85M63. Cereals following pastures, 84M42, 84M43, 84M56, 84M57, 84LG34. Pasture wheat rotation, 82WH39, 82M47.

Long Term Rotation Trials, Lupins: Wheat Rotation., I. Rowland, W. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Long term rotation trials 66M29, 67C13, 67N4, 68E5, 65SG5, 73SG16, Lupins : wheat rotation 80TS3, 82TS2, 82M26.

Soil Acidity - High Rainfall Pastures., J. S. Yeates, M. F. Clarke, D. A. Tooke, R. A. Deyl

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Aims of the Project (i) To establish the current pH of the cultivated soils of the high rainfall areas of south-west Western Australia, and the extent to which pH has altered since clearing. (ii) To examine the responsiveness of old land pastures with low current soil pH levels (< 5.5 water) to applied lime. (iii) To relate the responsiveness of subterranean clover-based pastures to measured soil parameters. 80BU14, 81AL10, 81AL12, 81BU18, 81BY18, 81BY25, 81BY26, 82AL4, 82AL5, 82AL55, 82BU7, 82HA35, 82HA36, 82PE1, 82MA20, 83AL7, 83AL9, 83AL10, 83ALll, 83BY29, 84BU9, 84BU10, 84BY37, 84HA21, 84HA37, 84MA21.

Copper And Zinc Nutrition Experimental Results., J. W. Gartrell, R. F. Brennan, M. M. Riley

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Long term copper trial - Newdegate research station, 66N14. Copper, zinc and sulphur residual with DAP for wheat, 78WH66. Copper and zinc residual with dap 78Mo36. Zinc residual with high analysis n.p. fertiliser for wheat 80no31. Zinc residual with high analysis n.p. fertiliser for wheat 79me22, 79me23. Zinc residual with high analysis n.p. fertiliser for wheat 82mo8. Zinc, copper and sulphur residual with DAP, 781G27. Methods of copper application on new land, 85JE48. Evaluation of copper ore 85LG47. Zinc by nitrogen interaction, 85LG28. Zinc residual with DAP, 85LG29. Copper sulphate, copper chelate and copper oxychloride effectiveness for wheat, 85LG26. Zinc …

Phosphorus Nutrition., M. D. Bolland, M. J. Baker, C. H. Phillips

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials reported on: 85 NA 34, 85 NA 35, 85 NO 63, 85 BA 34, 85 BA 36, 85 BA 37, 76 WH 9, 84 E 31, 84 M 63, 84 NO 69, 77 MT 2, 78 BA 7, 65 A 1, 69 WH 15.

Effect Of Soil Type On Relative Crop Yields, Effect Of Seeding Time On Pea And Lupin Yields, Effect Of Seeding Rate On Field Pea Yields, Studies In Legume Nodulation And Response Of Cereals In The Year Following Legumes., R. French

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials 85M36, 85M37, 85M38, 85M39. Trials 8SJE17, 85KA62, 85N20, 85ME42, 85ME43, 85ME44, 85WH48. Trials 85KA63, 85M33. Trials 85M32, 85M34, 85M35. Trials 84M50, 84M51, 84M52.

Long Term Minimum Tillage Investigations, Stubble Management Techniques, Deep Ripping And Seeding Machine Comparisons., R. J. Jarvis, L. G. Butcher, L. D.J. Smith

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

77 A 16, red/brown sandy loam. 77 WH 17, yellow clayey-sand (Wongan loamy sand). 77 M 13, red sandy clay loam (salmon gum, gimlet). 78 M 25, Yellow acid loamy sand (Wodgil). 77 Mt 15 Gravelly loamy sand/sandy loam - forest soil 77 E 18, fine white sand over fine sandy clay. 77 A 43, Brown loamy sand/sandy loam - Jam country.77 WH 88, Grey loamy sand over gravel at 50 cm - Elphin soil series – Mallee. 77 M 56, Red sandy clay loam - Salmon Gum, Gimlet. 82 M 35, Loamy sand/sandy loam – Mallee. 77 E 52, …

Weed Seed Ecology, A H. Cheam

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Emergence of weed seedlings from different soil depths. 82MT49, Mt Barker Research Station. 83MT4, Mt Barker Research Station. 82NR12, Northam Research Station. 83NR2, Northam Research Station. 82C37, Chapman Research Station. 83C3, Chapman Research Station. Longevity of buried weed seeds. 82MT50, Mt Barker Research Station. 83MT5, Mt Barker Research Station. 82NR13, Northam Research Station. 83NR3, Northam Research Station. 82C38, Chapman Research Station. 83C4, Chapman Research Station. Emergence of weed seedlings in relation to soil type and cultivation. 82PE32, South Perth. Emergence and fate of weed seeds in different depths of cultivated and undisturbed compacted soil. 84C49, Chapman Research Station. 84MT62, Mt …

Stubble Retention Effects On Soil Water Storage And Yield., D. Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Merredin Research Station on red brown earth soil type, 84M1, 84M5. Summer data. Winter data.

Farm Systems Research Involving New Pasture Species., C. W. Thorn, C. K. Revell

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The effect of grazing on Circle Valley medic production. Effect of rotations on M. polyrnorpha production and persistence and cereal crop yields, 84 KA 35, 85 LG 44, 84 KA 37 Effect of tillage x gypsum x nitrogen on continuous cereal production, 84 KA 28. Effect of gypsum x seeding rate on the seed yield of three pasture legumes. Pasture species tolerance to grass and broadleaf herbicides. Undersowing cereal crops with burr medic.

Grain Legume Agronomy Programme., G. H. Walton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Lupin agronomy, 85AL4, 85AL6, 85M05, 85PE13, 81M029, 81M030, 81M027. Grain legume crop comparisons, 85LG23, 85LG24, 85LG25, 85E23, 85GE28, 85C71, 85ME35, 85KA7, 85E2, 85N5, 85N04, 85SG2, 85E34, 85LG38, 85LG40, 85MN2, 85MD25, 85MN1.

Molybdenum Nutrition., M. M. Riley

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field trials. Residual value of Molybdenum on an acid soil, 81N040. Residual value of Molybdenum on an acid soil, 81M2. Residual value of Molybdenum of an acid soil, 81LG12. Residual value of Molybdenum on an acid soil, 82N07. Residual values of different Molybdenum sources, 84Me10. Residual values of different Molybdenum sources, 84Ge49 Forms and rates of soil and seed applied Molybdenum, 84Me9. Molybdenum requirements of wheat, triticale and lupins, 84Me8. Residual values of Molybdenum with different nitrogen sources, 85M40. The Molybdenum nutrition of various crop and pasture cultivars, 85Mo42. Molybdenum with pre-emergent herbicides, 85TS21. Glasshouse experiments. Reactions of Molybdenum with …

Agronomy Of Oat Varieties., W. K. Anderson

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Nitrogen rates x oat varieties, 85MT47. Seed rates x oat varieties, 85MT48. Time-of-sowing x oat varieties, 85MT49. Applied Phenology in crop variety testing, 85WH5, 85N4.

Water Supplies : Dams And Roaded Catchments, W J. Burdass, T. R. Negus, A. L. Prout, I. A. F. Laing

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

Western Australia's Upper and Lower Great Southern statistical areas include most of the broad-scale agricultural land south of a line from Perth to Hyden. Much of the area is well-developed and carries 13.4 million sheep, 203 00 cattle and 95 000 pigs, almost half the State's livestock.

There are few natural rivers and lakes to water livestock in summer and much of the bore water is salty. On-farm waterr conservation, therefore, consits mainly of excavated earth tanks (dams) which are filled by surface runoff or shallow seepage. In the drier areas and in the sandplain roaded catchments have neen built …

Northern Wheatbelt Water Supply Study, I A F Laing, R. M. Pridham

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

Department of Agriculture surveys have shown that many farms in Western australia's northern wheatbelt have inadequate water supplies. More than 80 per cent of all farms in that area depend soley on groundwater for watering livestock, a much higher percentage than for most other farming areas. Because groundwater salinities have increased in recent years, concern is held for the long-term future of this recource.

In contrast to more southern agricultural areas, farm dams in the northern wheatbelt are relatively uncommon. Only 30 per cent of the existing dams in the northern wheatbelt constitute effective water supplies. More than half of …

Drainage Prospects For Saline Wheatbelt Soils, P R. George

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

Sub-surface or groundwater drainage by buried tube drains or open ditches can reclaim saltland in the Western Australian wheatbelt. However, this method is expensive and not all sites can be drained cost-effectively. Each drainage site is unique, so careful investigation of each site is essential before recommendations on drainage method and design can be made.

The Taarblin Experience : A Planned Approach To Soil Conservation, Greg Astbury, Owner/Manager Of Taarblin, Tim Negus

Bulletins 4000 -

Many farms in Western Australia were cleared and developed before there was a full and clear understanding of the effects of bush clearing - that is salinization of soil and water supplies, wind and water erosion, waterlogging and soil structure decline. The productive capacity and inherent problems of the different soil types was also largely unknown.

Modern-day Conservation Farm Planning aims to provide a blue-print for the redevelopment of properties to ensure long term soil fertility, to prevent soil erosion and degradation by waterlogging and salinity. It also provides for a spread of reliable stock watering points and more efficient …

Cereal Weed Control, Cereal Disease, Roundup Effects On Wheat & Barley, Noxious Weed Control., J. H. Moore, E. B. Hoskins, G. Dean

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Pre-seeding Grass Control, 85AL41. Sorrel control with Ally, 85AL39. Capeweed control pre-seeding, 85AL40. Effect of PP 450 on wheat diseases, 83AL36. Roundup effects on wheat and barley, 85AL64. History effects on wheat responses, 85AL42. Garlon 480 time of spraying on blackberry. Blackberry herbicide (high volume) demonstrations and observations. Blackberry herbicide (low volume) demo sites. Comparison of sprayers and spray volume for blackberry control. Blackberry herbicides screening. Krenite on blackberry, 76 AL 8. Methods of Krenite application for blackberry Control. Blackberry Wettability. Ropewick applied 2,4-D Amine for Arum Lily control. Arum lily herbicide screening. Herbicide screening for Arum lily control. Herbicide …

Increasing Groundwater Salinity In The Northern Wheatbelt, R J. Mcgowan

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

Every farmer in western Australia's northern wheatbelt will know of a groundwater supply, be it bore, well or soak. that has become increasingly saline. The groundwater may have become more saline over a period of 15 years or more, or have been noticed only recently. Inevitably, the bore will lie within an area cleared for agriculture. This increase in groundwater salinity may be associated with soil salinisation. Although researchers have some understanding of the processes causing salinisation of groundwater in the wheatbelt and the extent of the problem, little is known about the rates of salinisation and groundwater rise. A …

Influence Of Soil Acidity On Barley Production., P. J. Dolling, A. R. Little

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

A soil survey of 38 sites in barley growing areas of Western Australia was carried out in 1984. It was found that 53% of topsoils surveyed had a pH less than 5.5, acid enough to suspect barley yields might be affected. In 1985 an extensive field trial proqramme was established at 9 sites. The sites were selected from the 1984 survey and they varied in their level of acidity from mild to severe. 85NA, 85NA2, 85NA5, 85NA4, 85NA3, 85KA3, 85KA4, 85KA5, 85KA6, 83N046,