Soil Science Commons^™

Plantscan, Ted Lefroy, Fritz Droge

Natural resources published reports

PLANTSCAN is a network of schools and landholders throughout the wheatbelt of Western Australia. It aims to speed up the process of testing plants for their suitability to this environment.

This kit contains seed of various trees and shrubs and notes on how to grow them, plant them out into a small plot and record their progress.

Schools and landholders throughout the wheatbelt who have purchased this kit become part of a research network aimed at selecting plants that will:

* overcome soil erosion;

* overcome soil salinity;

* and provide a source of income for farmers.

The following sheets …

What Are Land Conservation Districts?, Western Australian Department Of Agriculture

Natural resources published reports

Land conservation groups need your support. Land degradation is not just a farming problem. We change the land and waters in many ways, whether it be clearing of precious natural bush or through the fertilizers which leach from our gardens.

By learning about the Land Conservation Districts achievements and understanding the challenges they face we can better see our own place in the scheme of things.

We will learn the ways to organize for Landcare in other rural areas, or in the city, that will be successful.

This is what the Decade of Landcare is all about - providing an …

Rock Phosphates Are Poor Fertilizers For Non-Leaching Soils In South-Western Australia, Michael D A Bolland, Bob Gilkes

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

Field experiments conducted on our non leachng soils from 1975 to 1988 have consistently shown that rock phosphates, compared with freshly applied superphosphate each year, are a relatively ineffective fertilizer in the year of application and in the years after application.

The Effect On Farm Profit Of Conserving Stubble To Prevent Wind Erosion, A D. Bathgate

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

Over-grazing of stubbles is a major cause of winf erosion on WesternAustralian farms. Stubble contributes to the 'roughness' of the paddock; as the roughness is reduced, the risk of winf erosion is increased.

The risk of lupinosis in sheep has previously reduced the likelihood of lupin stubble being over grazed, but the development of Gungurru, a phomopsis-resistent variety of lupin, has increased the potential for over-grazing and hence the probability of wind erosion.

This article describes the economic benefit (or cost) of conserving stubble at the conservation standards.

Saltland Management, Tim Negus

Natural resources published reports

Salt land problems in Western Australia are categorized into one of three types:

* Valley waterlogging

* hillside seepage

* dry land salt

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 …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Ashburton River Catchment, Western Australia, A A. Mitchell, A L. Payne, W F. Holman

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Ashburton River catchment, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1976 and 1978, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The Carnarvon Basin, Western Australia, A L. Payne, G F. Spencer, P J. Curry

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of rangelands in the Carnarvon Basin, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1980 and 1982, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers …

Mogumber Drainage Works Succeed, L K. Lenane

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

The loss of arable farmland from soil erosion, waterlogging and salinity is a severe problem on some Western Australian farms.

When the arable land comprises only 40 per cent of the total area within the Mogumber Soil Conservation District, this loss is a real cause for concern. So too is the resulting damage to roads, siltation of railway culverts, and deaths of roadside trees from rising saline watertables.

However, drainage, contour and other works undertaken by the Mogumber Soil Conservation District have halted this degredation. Badly eroded areas that were fenced off now have a satisfactory ground cover. A wheat …

Kununurra Region - Land Utilization Report - 1984 Dry Season - 1984/85 Wet Season And 1985 Dry Season In The Ord River Irrigation Area, S. Sandover

Natural resources published reports

Kununurra Region

3rd edition

A small experimental farm was first established on the Ord River in 1941. This farm was relocated in 1945 to what is now known as the Frank Wise Institute of Tropical Agriculture.

The first stage of the Irrigation Scheme which included the Diversion dam was completed by 1963 and by 1966, 31 irrigated farms had been established.

In 1967 the second stage was commenced and by 1972 the main dam had been completed.

Cotton was the major crop until 1974. In the wet season of that year 3642 hectares was devoted to cotton. Various crops such …

Soil Types And Drainage, Eric Bettenay, N. J. Schofield

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

At least 90 per cent of the phosphorus entering the Peel-Harvey estuarine system comes from land cleared for agriculture, most of it from the coastal plain. These soils are naturally deficient on phosphorus and sulfur and this is supplied in superphosphate, which contains about 10 per cent phosphorus and 1 percent sulphur.

However, rain leaches some of this applied phosphorus from the land into drains and rivers which flow into the estuary. In 1981, farmers in the Harvey River-Mayfields Drain catchment lost the equivalent of 1,300 tonnes of superphosphate into the estuary. Between them they have in effect spent $120,000 …

The Soil Phosphorus Store, G S P Ritchie, D. M. Weaver

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

The management of the soil phosphorus store, or 'super bank' to minimise phosphorus leaching losses is a vital part of any strategy to reduce algal pollution of the Peel-Harvey estuary.

Phosphorus can exist in the soil in four main 'pools'. it may occur in the soil solution or in one of the three pools that contain phosphorus in solid forms. This phosphorus can be in compounds (fertilisers, dead plant material); adsorbed (attached) to soil particles such as organic matter, clay and iron oxide; or as constituents of micro-organisms.

An Ecological Analysis Of Relic Diatoms In Sediments Of Las Vegas Bay, Lake Mead, David Ross Hetzel

Publications (WR)

Relic diatoms in sediments of the inner Las Vegas Bay, near the Las Vegas Wash sewage inflow, were examined in order to assess historic trophic conditions in this area of Lake Mead. Diatom sedimentation rates and ratios of Araphidineae/Centrales (A/C) diatom groups were determined from sediment cores collected in the old wash channel 1.5 km from the sewage inflow (station 2), in a small cove 1.5 km further downstream (station 3) and in an adjacent embayment off Gypsum Wash (station 4). Diatom sedimentation rates generally increased from the bottom to the top of each core, but pronounced minima existed at …

Effects Of Changes In Surface Water Regime And/Or Land Use On The Vertical Distribution Of Water Available For Wetland Vegetation: Dynamic Model Of The Zone Of Aeration (Part 1 Of Completion Report For Project A-023-Ark), Robert N. Maccallum, R. A. Sims

Arkansas Water Resources Center Technical Reports

A mathematical model by Green, simulating one-dimensional vertical ground-water movement in unsaturated soils of the prairie region of Kansas, has been adapted for use in a wetlands environment typified by the wetlands forest of Eastern Arkansas. The model consists of two second-order, non-linear, partial differential equations and an algorithm for their numerical solution. The original model was extended to include functions for seasonal changes in transpiration and for drainage of excess precipitation. Before the addition of the two functions, the model reliability was limited to one growth season.

Influence Of Las Vegas Wash Density Current On Nutrient Availability And Phytoplankton Growth In Lake Mead, John R. Baker, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

Density currents are commonly formed in reservoirs because of temperature or salinity induced density differences between inflowing and receiving waters. Anderson and Pritchard (1951) were among the first to demonstrate this in their investigations of density currents in Lake Mead. They found that the Colorado River formed an underflow in Lake Mead during the winter, an overflow in the spring and an interflow in the summer and fall. Wunderlich and Elder (1973) have since described the hydromechanics of these types of flow patterns, and density currents have been reported for several other large reservoirs (Carmack et al. 1979, Johnson and …

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.

Landform, Natural Drainage And Salinity, Eric Bettenay

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

An understanding of salt movement in streams and groundwater may lead to better methods of control and prevention of salinity.

Soil Salinity In Western Australia : A Summary, T C. Stoneman

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

Soil salinity problems have long been recognised in Western Australia. The earliest published explanation in 1924 suggested that removing native vegetation increased stream salinity, and this basic cause has been confirmed by many studies since.

The Dryland Salinity Problem In North America, P R. George

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

North america also has a dryland salinity problem although the source is different.

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 …

How To Make A Natural Resources Inventory, Community Natural Resources Inventory Project

Maine Collection

A Handbook How to Make a Natural Resources Inventory for Your Community

Prepared by: James F. Connors, Sterling Dow III & Dean B. Bennett

Community Natural Resources Inventory Project (Title I, Higher Education Act), The University of Maine at Portland - Gorham (Project Sponsor) and The Maine Association of Conservation Commissions (Project Co-Sponsor), 1975.

"This handbook is published as a result of a grant from the U.S. Office of Education, Department of Health, Education and Welfare under the Higher Education Act, Title I. No official endorsement by the U.S. Office of Education should be inferred."

Contents: Preface / Introduction / …

Soil And Plant Analysis For Mineral Deficiencies, M D. Carroll

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

Soil and plant analysis (testing) has its supporters and its critics. Some of the differences are resolved if the distinction is made between the concept and the practice. Most people would agree with the concept of soil and plant analysis but the practice, or service offered, in any agricultural situation can be subject to valid criticism.

This article defines some of the principles involved and illustrates some of the problems, to provide a better understanding of the usefulness and the limitations of soil and plant analysis as a diagnostic aid in plant and animal nutrition.

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 …

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.

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.

Micronutrients And Biological Patterns In Lake Mead, Hasan K. Qashu, Lorne G. Everett, J. S. Carlson, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Progressive increases in concentration of dissolved solids in the Colorado River water from Lake Powell to Imperial Dam seem to alter plankton dynamics and biological productivity of the river. Also, changes in biological productivity and micronutrients concentrations occur within the same reservoir. Development of a digital simulation model to predict micronutrients concentrations and biological productivity is necessary for diagnosing changes in plankton population and effluent-carrying capacity of the system. The objectives of the study are: (1) to determine trace metal balance at different locations in Lake Mead, (2) to measure biological productivity and conduct plankton population counts at each sampling …

The 1963-64 Lake Mead Survey, J. M. Lara, J. I. Sanders, Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

The 1963-64 Lake Mead survey was run to compute the reservoir capacity. Results of the geodetic and hydrographic surveys and sediment sampling equipment are described. The geodetic survey showed Hoover Dam subsided an average of 118 mm since 1935. Sonic sounding, photogrammetry, and crosssectional profiling methods were used to run the hydrographic survey. Reservoir area and capacity tables were generated using an electronic computer. The present lake capacity is 29,755,000 acre-ft and the reservoir surface area is 162,700 acres at elevation 1229 ft. 2,720,000 acre-ft of sediments accumulated in the lake since 1935. A unit weight of 60 Ib/cu ft …

How Important Is Sulphur For Pastures?, R N. Glencross, W. J. Cox

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

With the introduction of low sulphur compound and concentrated fertilisers, a new look is required at the sulphur status of West Australian soils, and the sulphur requirement of pasture.

In this article the functions of sulphur, deficiency symptoms and potential problem soils are described.

Current recommendations and plans for future research work are outlined.

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.

The Ord River Regeneration Project. 2. Dealing With The Problem, K Fitzgerald

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

THE PROGRAMME of protective and remedial work being undertaken in the Ord River catchment area had as its major objective the re-establishment of perennial vegetation, as a means of controlling erosion and reducing the silt load of the rivers. It is now in its seventh year of operation.