Hydrology Commons^™

Efficiency Of Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, T C. Calder

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

Shallow-rooted vegetable crops growing on sandy soils in hot, often windy summer weather, pose a difficult watering problem for most Western Australian vegetable growers.

Irregularities in wetting patterns are common. Wind effects are seldom taken into account in system design. The increasing popularity of knocker-type sprinklers makes these considerations particularily important.

Salt Encroachment : The 1974 Saltland Survey, C V. Malcolm, R. C. Stoneman

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

It has long been recognised that the clearing of land for agriculture in the south western Australia is followed by the development of saline soils and streams.

In 1955 and again in 1962, in conjunction with the annual statistical returns, farmers in Western Australia were asked to supply estimates of salt-affected land on their properties.

In 1974 a further survey was conducted, in co-operation with the Australian Bureau of Statistics, using questions covering only the basic information. As the information is again available on a Shire basis a direct comparison can be made with the 1962 survey except for some …

Fisheries Report No 16 - Notes On The Wildlife Of A Proposed Nature Reserve Around Lake Grace And Lake Chinokup, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie, W. K. Youngson

Fisheries Research Reports

During 1972 and 1973 plants and vertebrate animals were collected and recorded from a proposed 22 000 ha nature reserve centred on a chain of salt lakes in south-western Western Australia (33° 10' S - 33° 35' 8 and 118° 19' B - 118° 29' E).

The dominant plant species were collected, the structural formations desert bed and a vegetation map produced. Seven species of native terrestrial mammal and three species of bat were recorded.

Three of the terrestrial species are endemic to southwestern Western Australia, and two of these - Pseudomys occidentalis and Sminthopsis granulipes - are regarded as …

1975 Fallow Re-Assessment And Soil Physical Data Accumulation, D Tennant

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

This report summarises progress and data available for the following investigations. 1. Fallow Re-assessment - 72M29. 2. Soil Physical Data Accumulation. (a) Evaluation of methods of bulk density measurement. (b) Water holding capacities and mechanical analyses of wheatbelt soils. (c) Water holding capacities of metropolitan sands. TABLE 3 Water holding capacities (1/10 - 15 Atmosphere water contents) of metropolitan sands (mm of water). Bulk density of 1.6 assumed. 1. Medina Research Station. 2. Morley White Sand. 3. Karrakatta Sand. 4. Bassendean Sand. 5. South Perth Lawn. 6. South Perth Scrub. 7. Underwood Avenue Research Station. 8. Floreat Park Sand. 9. …

Fruit In W.A., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The main fruit growing districts of Western Australia are in the Mediterranean climate areas of the south-west. Apples, pears, stonefruit, citrus and vines are grown on a commercial basis. Figs, mulberries and olives are also grown, but not in big commercial quantities.

A Survey Of Land Suitable For Townsville Stylo In The North Kimberley Of W.A. 1973, A Kubicki, J. Beer

Books & book chapters

The aims of the survey were to -

(a) define the extent and actual location of country suitable for the production of non-indigenous pastures; in particular to classify the land for its suitability for Townsville stylo (Styioaanthes hurniiia).

(b) map the areas so defined on a land system basis.

The area surveyed covered approximately 88 000 sq.km (33 968 sq.miles) and included most of the catchments of the Carson, Drysdale, King Edward, Prince Regent, Charnley, Isdell and Chapman Rivers. It covered the country between latitude 14°S and 17°S and longitude 124°30'E and 127°30'E.

The Banana Industry At Carnarvon, John Roger Burt

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

In viewing the semi-arid conditions of the West Gascoyne, visitors are surprised to see a thriving banana industry at the mouth of the Gascoyne River, 930 kilometres north of Perth. The natural vegetation in the plantation area consists mainly of stunted gums, low acacia scrub and salt bush.

Despite the adverse climatic conditions, the average yields of Carnarvon bananas are double those of banana areas in other states.

Bulletin 3933 - Trickle Irrigation For Home Gardens, K Cole

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

The use of trickle irrigation in the home garden can save money, time and water.

Trickle irrigation is a concept first used in glasshouses in England, then applied to field crops in Israel and developed and refined in Australia and America. Today it is widely used in orchards, vineyards, vegetable gardens and now has gained wide acceptance in the growing of ornamental plants.

Any good trickle system uses small quantities of water over an extended period of time. In the home garden, flows of 2.25 litres to 4.5 litres per hour are usual though for small shrubs lesser amounts may …

Land Systems Of The Brockman River Catchments, S. Porritt

Natural resources published reports

The survey was conducted to gain basic information about the agricultural land use of the Brockman River Catchment. The University of Western Australia Faculty of Agriculture was interested in the area as a compact, agriculturally diverse area close to Perth which was, therefore, suitable for filed studies. The Department of Agriculture, Moora Office was interested in this study as a framework within which to improve its extension services in the area.

Both parties cooperated in investigations of the area by providing data and equipment. Field work was carried out in summer 1973-74 and data compiled by an agricultural science student …

Dairying In W.A., Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

Western Australia has a small dairy industry compared with its other rural production. However, the industry has consolidated over recent years.Tree clearing and pasture development on existing holdings and the amalgamation of small dairy farms has led to a rapid increase in the area of pasture per farm. The trend in Western Australia is towards bigger herds, more efficient dairies, more fodder conservation and increasing production per cow and per hectare. Commercial dairy farming in Western Australia is confined to the south-western corner of the State, south of Perth, extending in a 50-kilometre-wide strip along the coast to 50 kilometres …

Fisheries Report No 13 - Results Of A Biological Survey Of The Shire Of Kent, Western Australia, N. L. Mckenzie

Fisheries Research Reports

The Department of Fisheries and Fauna is responsible for the conservation of the native fauna in Western Australia. The main approach to this problem has been the creation of reserves for "The Conservation of Flora and Fauna". These reserves, known as "Wildlife Sanctuaries", are controlled by the Western Australian Wild Life Authority - a Statutory Authority serviced by the Department.

The object of the acquisition programme is to develop a reserve system which will include, as far as possible, a full and permanent cross-section of the State's native floral and faunal assemblages and, at the same time, provide for the …

Soil Structure Changes Under Wheatbelt Farming Systems, T C. Stoneman

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

A review of 14 years of Department of Agriculture research into the effects of wheatbelt fanning practices on soil structure reaches the general conclusion that cultivation and grazing practices influence soil structure, and that structure can be improved by soil amendments and pasture growth.

Little data has been obtained to relate plant growth to improved soil structure, as measured.

Bulletin No 3867 - Water For Agriculture. Clearing Cloudy Or Coloured Water, N. E. Platell

Bulletins - 3000 - 3999

THE suspended material in most water supplies is generally clay, although sometimes organic matter and materials precipitated from solution, such as hydrated iron oxides, may be present. Coloured waters are those waters that are still coloured, due to dissolved coloured matter, after suspended material has been removed. Some coloured waters such as those found in swampy areas may be entirely free of suspended material.

The amount of clay or colour present is mainly of concern where the water is used for household purposes. Only rarely is the clay or colour present in such quantities that the water is undrinkable for …

A Report On The Condition Of The Gascoyne Catchment, D G. Wilcox, E A. Mckinnon

Resource management technical reports

Severe flooding in Carnarvon followed heavy rains on the Gascoyne Catchment in February 1961. The flooding and erosion were extensive enough to suggest that run-off from the catchment was excessive. Lightfoot (1961)* reported that excess run-off was due to degradation of the catchment area. This report will describe the catchment area in terms of the degradation of its rangeland and its susceptibility to erosion.

Don't Crop Areas Liable To Waterlogging, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

The increasing areas of crops being sown in high rainfall districts make it likely that many crcp areas include sections liable to severe waterlogging.

This report presents results of a 1970 trial which clearly show that sowing such sections is not economic.

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.

Trickle Irrigation, B Swan

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

THE introduction of trickle irrigation has caused tremendous interest among commercial irrigators. While not a new concept, its application was formerly restricted to glasshouse and nursery use.

Sprinkler Irrigation In Windy Conditions, K S. Cole, G. C. Brown

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

THOSE summer winds—be they cooling afternoon breezes or scorching easterlies—are no help to the irrigationist.

Where sprinklers are used wind can result in uneven irrigation, reduced yields and spoilt produce.

Low Cost Filter For Trickle Irrigation, C R. Coffman, G. L. Godley

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

CLEAR water is essential for a successful trickle irrigation scheme. Most water sources are not sufficiently clean and some form of filtration is necessary.

Farm Dams In High Rainfall Areas, G C. Brown

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

WATER storage is essential on most south-west farms to ensure adequate irrigation supplies in the dry summers. Government irrigation water supply schemes are limited and most farmers must supply their own water storage.

Land Levelling With Scrapers, K R. Southon

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

A VARIETY of earth-moving equipment can be used in preparing land for flood irrigation, but the best machine for extensive earth moving over some distance is a power-driven, carry-all scraper.

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.

Water Conservation Handbook, D J. Carder, G. W. Spencer

Natural resources published reports

This handbook is intended as a practical guide in some of the most common aspects of water conservation in the agricultural areas of Western Australia. It deals mainly with water conserved in dams for stock and domestic purposes on the farm.

the farm. The handbook does not attempt to deal with all aspects of handling and using water for agricultural purposes. This is a vast subject which extends into many fields such as engineering, irrigation and land use.

The guide does, however, touch on some important aspects of good management of agricultural land. It should be read in conjunction with …

Clay Cover For Roaded Catchments, J L. Frith, R. A. Nulsen

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

RECENT dry years have stimulated interest in improved catchments for farm dams. Although roaded catchments have been installed on many farm dams in Western Australia, most of them fall short of their potential for increasing run-off.

Irrigation In South-Western Australia, K S. Cole

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

THE pattern of irrigation in South-Western Australia is constantly changing, At present, the main increase is in the private sector.

In the past century, there has been a see-saw effect from private to Government to private schemes.

Simple Evaporimeter For Timing Trickle Irrigation, C R. Coffman

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

DIFFERENCES in soil types and size of trees in orchards make it impossible to give a single recommendation for trickle irrigation running time.

Daily running time for each situation can be simply and fairly accurately calculated from weekly readings of an easily constructed evaporimeter.

Land Use In The Kulin-Kondinin-Hyden District : Notes On A Recent Survey, D J. Carder

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

A RECENT survey by the Department of Agriculture's Soil Conservation Service has highlighted the nature of the problems facing farmers with flooded or salt-affected land near salt lake country in the wheatbelt.

West Midlands Development : Water Supplies In The West Midlands, I A F Laing

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

IF it is practical and economic to develop both surface and underground supplies, the aim on each farm should be to provide half the farm water requirement from dams, and the other half from bores.

The Relationship Of Flooding And Saline Water Tables, Stanley Thomas Smith

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

IN Western Australia there are several ways in which salt manifests itself but the most serious and extensive of these is in the valley systems where shallow saline water tables occur.

This type of salt problem is called "valley waterlogging" and occurs in most of the flat valleys throughout the wheatbelt of W.A.

Leaf Scorching, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

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

DURING the summer months, leaves of many plants develop browning and scorching which progresses inwards from the leaf margin or downwards from the leaf tip.

The affected parts become dry and brittle and may break away from the remaining green areas.