Soil Science 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.

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.

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 …

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 …

Shire Of Rockingham : A Study Of Land Resources And Planning Considerations, Veronica P M Oma, N L B Richards, M R. Wells

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Alternative Sites For Equestrian/Hobby Farm Development In The Karratha Area, Bernard Kok

Resource management technical reports

This report has been prepared in response to a request from the Shire of Roebourne to assess the land use capabilities for equestrian/hobby farm development in the Karratha area.The report comprises five parts; a brief review of the areas climate,discussion of the geological soil units and vegetation, water supply, alternative areas of development and recommendations.

A Resource Survey Of The Coastal Lands From Vlaming Head To Tantabiddi Well, West Cape Range Region, P A. Hesp, J G. Morrissey

Resource management technical reports

The report comprise four parts; a brief review of the area's climate, discussion of the geomorphology of the major landform units, an assessment of the potential erosion hazards of the surveyed landforms, and recommendations for development.

A Land Unit Survey Of The Proposed Kings Park Botanic Garden Annex, Wungong, M R. Wells

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Soil Conservation Research In New South Wales And Its Significance To Research On Water Erosion In Western Australia, D J. Mcfarlane

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Water Erosion On Potato Land During The 1983 Growing Season Donnybrook, D J. Mcfarlane

Resource management technical reports

Soil losses over a three month period varied from 10 to 49 mm.. Soil loss was most highly correlated with length of slope of the plots. Other important factors appeared to be slope angle and soil textures. Grade furrows appear to be the best method of breaking-up long slope lengths. The low capacity of the furrows requires them to be on grades of about 4 to 4 per cent to prevent siltation and overtopping during high density storms.

Summary Of Medic-Rhizobium Field Experiments 1983 – 1984, J G. Howieson

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials 83ME9, 83ME87, 82ME22, 82ME22A, 82ME23.

Method.

Comments

Pasture Research Programme For The Medium Rainfall Zone Of Wa, C K. Revell, C W. Thorn

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Field Assistants: I.R. Rose S.P. Davis Soil Analysis: I.A. Pritchard. A. Screening trials M. polymorpha var brevispina. M. truncatula. T. cherleri - 84KA41, 84KA42, 84KA43, 84KA47. B. Large scale M. polymorpha evaluation - 84KA38, 84KA39, 84KA40, C. Long term Medic species evaluation - 82KA44, 82KA45. D. Species characterization trials - 83KA66, 83KA67. E. M. murex evaluation - 83KA45. F. Dwalganup replacement subclovers - 83KA69. Since 1981, the major emphasis of the Katanning pasture programme has been to select pasture species suitable for replacing ryegrass on soils where Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) has been a major problem. These soils have traditionally …

Cercospora Disease Of Subterranean Clover, Root Rot, Cereal Smuts, Rapeseed Diseases, M J. Barbetti

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Cercospora disease of subterranean clover: - . Susceptibility to and losses from cercospora on sub-clover cultivars. Locality: Bibby Springs, Cervantes. (84M073, 84M075, 84M076). Subterranean clover root rot: - Seed treatments for root rot control. Locality: Albany (84AL39); Scott River (84 BU11). Fungicide drenches for root rot control. Locality: Perth (84PE22) using intact cores from Albany and Scott River. Cultivar screening for resistance to root rot fungi. Locality: Perth (84PE24) with field plantings at Albany and Scott River. Methyl bromide fumigation for control of sub-clover root rot. Locality: Vasse Research Station (84V15). Two sites. Cereal smuts – Fungicidal control of loose …

Studies On The Effects Of Nutrition And Tillage Systems On Cereal Root Diseases, R F. Brennan

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Split Applications of Nitrogen and Take-all 84N1. 2. Split Applications of Nitrogen and Take-all 84E2. 3. Split Applications of Nitrogen and Take-all 84MT4. 4. Split Applications of Nitrogen and Take-all 84LG1. 5. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates and Take-all 83ES41. 6. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates and Take-all 83ES42. 7. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates and Take-all 83ES43. 8. Micronutrients (Cu, Zn) and Take-all 83ES39. 9. Micronutrients (Cu, Zn) and Take-all 83ES40. 10. Cu Residual on Wheat and Take-all 67E9. 11. Cu Residual on wheat and Take-all 67E8. 12. Take-all and Manganese/Ammonium Interaction 84LG2. 13. Take-all and Manganese/Ammonium Interaction 84MT5. 14. Take-all …

Sources Of Lime In The South-West, I M V Brown

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

Many Western Australian farmers topdress or incorporate lime into their acid soils to neutralise them and to improve crop or pasture yields. Most use pulverised limestone or limesand which is cheap and relatively easy tospread.

Agricultural lime isdefined as "any fertiliser used principally for the purpose of reducing soil acidity and having calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate, or both, as its main ingredients".

Less extensive sources of liming material are found in scattered inland areas where deposits of calcrete have been formed by the weathering of calcium-rich rock and also in association with internal drainage systems.

Magnesite, generally formed by …

Soil Acidity In The Eastern Wheatbelt, W M. Porter, I. R. Wilson

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

In Western Australia parts of the sandplain of the eastern wheatbelt are very acid and produce poor crops, It was not until the late 1970s that the effect of soil acidity on the productivity of the sandplain soils was examined in any detail.

Since then researchers have learnt a great deal about the nature of soil acidity in the eastern wheatbelt sandplain soils and can suggest management options for farmers.

This article discisses the problem of the very acid soils. It does not deal with the moderately acid, medium textured soils of the eastern wheatbelt. Although the acidity of these …

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 …

Sulphur Nutrition Of Pastures. Potassium Nutrition Of High Rainfall Pastures On Deep Sands, J. S. Yeates, M. F. Clarke

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

A. Sulphur - High Rainfall. 1. Sources, rates, time of application of sulphur to pastures - 80AL1, 80AL4, 80AL48. 2. Sulphur nutrition of pastures - 83PE36. 3. S sources and rates on sandy soils of the high rainfall areas - 84HA20, 84HA27. 4. Maintenance of S on pastures on sandy soils - 84AL35, 84HA19, B4HA26. B. Sulphur - Low Rainfall. 1. Sulphur on pastures - 82AL9, 82KA4. C. Potassium. 1. Sources, rates, time of application of potassium on high rainfall deep sand pastures - 80AL6.

Clover, Bluegreen Aphid And Red Legged Mite Screening, Medicago Murex Evaluation, D J. Gillespie

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Clover scorch: In spite of poor seasonal conditions, adequate levels of clover scorch developed in the test plots to readily identify susceptible clovers. Of the 333 introductions tested, 23% scored 3.0 or less indicating a high level of resistance. Bluegreen aphid screening: Two hundred and twenty four randomly selected subterranean clovers from all Western Mediterranean collections were tested for resistance to BGA in Nov/Dec of 1983. The susceptibility of annual legumes to Bluegreen aphid. Red legged earth mite screening: Results of two preliminary experiments to develop techniques for mass screening for RLEM resistance in subterranean clover were reported last year. …

Lupin Growth And Water Use; Wheat, Barley, Pea, Rob Delane, J. Hamblin, A Bishop Ms

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

84C16/84C17 Lupin Growth and Water Use. 84C19 Effect of Density and Nitrogen on Growth and Yield of Uniculm and Tillering Wheat. 84C20 Maturity, Nitrogen and Density Effects of Barley. 84C21 Wheat Variety Trial. 84C18/23/28/33 Pea Research in the Geraldton Region. 84C32 Effect of Terra Sorb on Wheat Yield.

Cereal Crop Tolerance To Herbicides, D Bowran, R Madin, A Lindsay

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The 1984 experimental programme was a continuation of that started in 1981. The programme was aimed at evaluating the major herbicides in current use for cereals as well as new herbicides against the recommended varieties at three main sites, these being Wongan Hills, Merredin and Mt Barker. In addition Stage 4 breeding lines were evaluated against the same herbicides but only at Wongan Hills. The herbicides used and their rates and time of application are presented in Table 1. Herbicides were applied at both the recommended and twice the recommended rates of application, except in the breeding line trial where …

Phosphorus Nutrition Of High Rainfall Pastures - Peel Harvey Estuarine System Study, J S. Yeates, D M. Deeley, M. F. Clarke, R A. Deyl, G. Cockerton

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Field experiments. A. Sources, rates, time of application of phosphorous on high rainfall Pastures - 80AL2, 80ALS, 81AL5, 81AL6, 81KE2, 81MA4, 82AL10, 82HA31, 82HA32, 83HA26, 83HA27. B. Soil test calibration curve trials. 82HA20, 82HA26, 82HA29, 83HA20, 83HA21, 83HA22, 83HA23, 83HA24, 83HA25. C. P sources and rates on sandy soils of the high rainfall areas - 84AL33, 84AL34, 84HA18, 84HA25. D.Maintenance P trials - 84AL32, 84HA17, 84HA24, 84HA28. 2.Glasshouse Experiments. 84GL5 - 1. Phosphorus sources on subterranean clover on sandy soils. 2. Soil test calibration experiment.

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

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Long term rotation trials - 66M29, 67Cl3, 67N4, 68E5, 68SG5, 73SG16.

Lupins Wheat Rotation - 80TS3, 82TS2, 82M26.

Ecology Of Skeleton Weed (Chondrilla Juncea) In Western Australia, F D. Panetta

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

For the first time a laboratory for conducting this type of research has been established in South Perth, and it has been possible to type plants from mature leaf material. This obviates the necessity of waiting for plants to seed to be able to identify them. A total of six new collections were identified as belonging to either the broad-leaf or narrow-leaf forms, the locations for which are given in Table l.l..

Seed viability. To determine the amounts, viability and dormancy status of seeds produced by field-grown plants during summer and autumn months. Time course of seed production by field-grown …

Pleiochaeta Soil Survey, M Sweetingham

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Pleiochaeta soil survey - Moora District, March 1984. 2. Lupin root rot trials - 84A40, 84BA26, 84GE50, 84GE56, 84MO82, 85NO59, 84WH28. 3. Fungicides for Rhizoctonia patch control - 84E25, 84E28. 4. 83WH29 : Effect of rotation on wheat diseases. 5. Root disease in long term wheat-lupin rotation trials - 68E5, 79GE37, 80TS2, 81LG29, 82M26.

Soil Acidity And Liming In The Lower Great Southern, R N. Glencross, M. G. Clarke

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

In the 375 to 750 millimetre rainfall area of the Lower Great Southern, reports of loss of subterranean clover from established pastures, reduced carrying capacity for sheep and increasing soil acidity lead to the establishment in 1981 of a research programme into the effects of soil acidity on pasture productivity in that region.

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

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial No.: 84E31 Location: Esperance Downs Research Station.Results: Fertilizer: TSP = triple superphosphate; NCRP = North Carolina rock phosphate; DRP = Duchess rock phosphate. Cultivation: UC = fertilizer applied to the soil surface and left there: C = fertilizer cultivated into the top 10 cm of soil with a rotary hoe after application to the soil surface. Trial No.: 84M63. Location: South Bodallin (Merredin Research Station). Results: TSP = triple superphosphate; NCRP = North Carolina rock phosphate; DRP = Duchess rock phosphate. UC = fertilizer applied to the soil surface and left there; C = fertilizer mixed in to the …