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Dalyup Catchment 2000, Esperance Catchment Support Team

Natural resources published reports

This 'State of the Dalyup Catchment' document is a snapshot of the condition of the Catchment in the year 2000. It records the current level of knowledge of the natural resources in the Catchment and discusses some of the management issues and options. This document is a benchmark and through ongoing monitoring, trends in the condition of the Catchment can be identified.

Its primary purpose is as a tool for resource planning such as a surface water management plan, river action plan or revegetation plan. It can also be used in the preparation of funding applications.

Bulletin 4369 - Ord River Irrigation Area - Kununurra Western Australia, Agriculture Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA) in the Kimberley Province of Western Australia is the product of a bold and imaginative plan to develop part of the nation's tropical north for intensive agriculture by harnessing the waters of the Ord River. The principal features of the scheme are:

* A major storage reservoir formed by a dam constructed where the Ord River enters the Carr-Boyd Ranges, 160 kilometres south-east of Wyndham.

* A diversion dam, 50 kilometres further downstream, to raise the river level and divert water to be released from the major storage reservoir onto the irrigable lands.

* …

Crop Updates 1999 - Cereals, Len W. Broadbridge, Doug Abrecht, D. Bakker, Greg Hamilton, Cliff Spann, Doug Rowe, Peter Fisher, Jennifer Bignell, Matthew Braimbridge, Bill Bowden, Ross Brennan, Reg Lunt, Senthold Asseng, Cherie Rowles, Simon Bedbrook, Chris Gazey, Mike Bolland, Garren Knell, Lyn Abbott, Zed Rengel, Wayne Pluske, Erin Cahill, Bill Crabtree, Matthew Evans, Tim Nielsen, Jat Bhathal, Rob Loughman, D. Rasmussen, Roger A C Jones, Sean Kelly, Ian Riley, Sharyn Tayor, Vivien Vanstone, Dominie Wright, Debbie Thackray, Simon Mckirdy, George Yan, Robin Wilson, Iain Barclay, Robin Mclean, Dean A. Diepeveen, Bill Lambe, Wal Anderson, Brenda Shackley, Mechelle Owen, Peter Burgess, Ben Curtis, Mohammed A. Hamza, Jamie Henderson, Frank Boetel, Alfredo Impiglia, Frances Hoyle, Darshan Sharma, Pierre Fievez, Blakely Paynter, Glenn Macdonald, Kevin Young, Andrew Blake, Keith Devenish, P J. Dolling, Roy Latta, Lisa-Jane Blacklow, Chris Matthews, Angelo Loi, Brad Nutt, Rochelle Mcrobb, David Webb, Andrew Mcrobb, Clinton K. Revell, James Ridsdill-Smith, Celia Pavri, David Tennant, Darryl Mclements, Ross Thompson, Mike Ewing, Tim Woodburn, Paul Yeoh, James Fisher, Art Diggle, Mark Whitten, Andrew Rate, Paul Carlile, Ed Blanchard, Bevan Buirchell, Lorraine Osborne, Tress Walmsley, Terry Piper, Cameron Weeks, Michael Dodd, Amanda Falconer, Caroline Peek, Glenn Adam, Camray Gethin, Richard Guinness, Daniel Fels, Andrew Rintoul, Mal Lamond, Roger Tapp, Craig White

Crop Updates

This article covers sixty papers

FOREWORD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

PLENARY PAPERS

1. Western Australia’s climate: trends and opportunities, Len W. Broadbridge, Director, Bureau of Meterorology

2. Managing seasonal variations in agriculture, Dr Doug Abrecht, Director, Dryland Research Institute, Merredin

CROP ESTABLISHMENT

3. Soil management to prevent waterlogging on duplex soils in the Great Southern, D. Bakker, Greg Hamilton, Cliff Spann and Doug Rowe, Agriculture Western Australia

4. The influence of no-till and press wheels on crop production for heavy soils, Peter Fisher, Jennifer Bignell, Matthew Braimbridge, Greg Hamilton, Agriculture

Western Australia

NUTRITION

5. Fertiliser nitrogen, applied late, needs …

Agricultural Water Management In The Missippi Delta Region Of Arkansas, H. Don Scott, James A. Ferguson, Linda Hanson, Todd Fugitt, Earl Smith

AAES Research Reports and Research Bulletins

Agriculture is the largest use of soil and water resources in eastern Arkansas. This bulletin summarized the recent historical use of soil and water by agriculture and the impact of irrigation on yields of rice, soybeans and cotton. The experiments conducted in the field to quantitatively schedule irrigations of crops are summarized. The results show the close relationship between the irrigation of crops and the extraction of water from the Alluvial Aquifer. The implications of this relationaship for the future are discussed.

Bulletin 4333 - Furrow Sowing On Water Repellent Soils, Paul Blackwell, Grant Morrow

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin discusses the benefits that furrow sowing brings to crop growth and production on water repellent sand, based on research and farm observations in Western Australian. By understanding the benefits and risks of several key processes, producers can better evaluate the potential role of furrow sowing in combating water repellency. This is true whether one is using direct drilling, no-till (narrow points or discs) or zero till (single, double or triple disc openers) methods.

Western Australian Salinity Action Plan, Agriculture Western Australia, Department Of Conservation And Land Management, Department Of Environmental Protection, Water And Rivers Commission

Natural resources published reports

Salinity is one of the State's most critical environmental problems, threatening major economic and social consequences. It is preventable and, in the long term, reversible. Complete elimination is not realistic, but we can dramatically reduce its impact.

Salinity is caused by replacing deep-rooted native plants with shallow-rooted crops and pastures. More rainfall passed below the root zone and accumulates as groundwater so that watertables rise. The groundwater mobilises natural salts in the soil as it rises and carries them towards the surface, eventually degrading land and streams.

Toolibin Catchment Revegetation Manual, Avril Baxter

Natural resources published reports

In1983, heavy winter rains resulted in severe inundation and flooding of the lower parts of the Toolibin catchment. The damage to crops and pastures was immense and costly. Local farmers realised that they needed to work together to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall events on their farm productivity.

At the same time the Western Australian Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) was concerned about the quality of both ground and surface water in the catchment area for Toolibin Lake, the last remaining wooded freshwater lake in the southern wheatbelt. This mutual interest led to the formation of the …

Land Management Report For The Kent River Catchment, Sue Kelly

Natural resources published reports

The Kent River Catchment is located in the South-West of Western Australia, approximately between latitudes 34° 15' and 35° 10' South and longitudes 116° 45" and 117° 50° East. The north-eastern boundary of the catchment stretches to the Albany Highway at Tenterden, and from there the catchment curves towards Rocky Gully before continuing to the South Coast (Figure 1.1.1). The catchment is located within the Shires of Cranbrook, Plantagenet and Denmark.

The Kent River Catchment is part of Basin 604, which is the Water Authority descriptor for the Kent, Bow and Kordabup River catchments collectively. Basin 604 has a total …

A Guide To Floodplain Cattle Fencing, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia, Main Roads, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

A seminar and workshop was held at Fitzroy Crossing in October 1993 to address the consequences of flooding to landholders and communities.

Damage to flood plain fencing was identified as one of the major concerns to landholders.

An outcome from the workshop was the decision to draw on local knowledge and collate information on options for fence and floodgate designs.

This information was to be made available to land holders and other interested parties - hence this publication.

Bulletin 4279 - Streamlining - An Environmentally Sustainable Drainage Network For The Swan Coastal Plain (Peel-Harvey Catchment), Garry Heady, Neil Guise

Bulletins 4000 -

Community Catchment Centre Pinjarra

A network of over 1400 kilometres of drains and modified natural waterways constructed by the Public Works Department criss-crosses the Peel-Harvey catchment. There are also over 3300 kilometres of minor drains and natural waterways in this same region.

The expansion of agriculture relied on this extensive drainage network, which was designed to ensure rapid drainage of the region. Unfortunately there was little regard to future environmental consequences.

Along with drainage water, these same drains now carry high loads of silt and nutrients. Many of the drains are also degraded and require expensive maintenance annually.

Miscellaneous Publication 10/94 - The Climate And Soils Of South-Western Australia In Relation To Vine Growing, J. S. Gladstones

Viticulture research reports

The vine industry in Western Australia is at present located mainly in the Swan Valley, some 15 miles inland from Perth. It produces currants for export, wine grapes, and table grapes for both local and export markets, in approximately that order of importance.

Climatically, the Swan Valley is well suited to vine fruit production. With an annual rainfall of about 34 inches, it has a mild, wet, almost frost-free winter, and a warm, dry summer. Olmo (1956) concluded that the Swan was especially well suited to the production of currants, table grapes and sweet dessert wines. However, he considered that …

Bulletin 4278 - How To Use Wide Furrow Sowing For Improved Crop Production On Water Repellent Sand, Paul Blackwell, Grant Morrow, Tony Webster

Bulletins 4000 -

Wide furrow sowing is a method for successfully establishing crops of lupins or cereals on non-wetting sands, and improving crop establishment on non-repellent sands. The same principles can be used to assist establishment of fodder shrubs and long-term pasture (e.g. tagasaste and Rhodes grass).

Bulletin 4274 - Tree Planting On The High Rainfall Coastal Plain, Don Bennett, Richard George

Bulletins 4000 -

Careful planning can mean the difference between the success or failure of a tree planting program . Healthy , well-e stablished trees stand a better chance of survival, grow faster and are more resistant to insect attack. The need for time-consuming watering in summer is also eliminated.

The high rainfall coastal plain extends from Perth to Busselton and inland to the Darling Scarp. It receives about 800 to 1000 mm annual rainfall.

Site preparation is ideally started in summer. For a winter planting, decide before March where to plant, which varieties and how many trees to plant. Early planning allows …

Seasonal Relationships Between Phytoplankton Composition, Abundance, And Primary Productivity In Three Tidal Rivers Of The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Harold G. Marshall, Kneeland K. Nesius

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The seasonal abundance and successional patterns of phytoplankton, including autotrophic picoplankton, are compared to spring, summer, and fall primary production maxima that occurred in three tidal rivers. The tidal freshwaters were dominated by diatoms, chlorophytes, and cyanobacteria during a late spring through early fall period of maximum growth. In contrast, downstream assemblages were dominated by estuarine diatoms, dinoflagellates, and cryptomonads which developed spring pulses and a protracted summer-fall maximum. Autotrophic picoplankton produced a major summer pulse at all river stations with reduced abundance during other seasons. The mean annual productivity rates for the tidal James, Rappahannock, and York rivers were …

Post-Shearing Losses Of Sheep Following Cyclonic Rains, M. Holm Glass, R. Jacob

Animal production and livestock published reports

Sudden unpredicted rainfall during summer has caused high mortality rates in newly shorn sheep on at least two previous occasions. These occurred at Darkan, Western Australia, in 1982 (Buckman 1982) and at Kybylolite in the south-east of South Australia in 1960 (Geytenbeek 1982).

Geytenbeek (1982) reported an average mortality of 8.3%, which was highest for sheep within five days of shearing. The mortality declined for animals shorn more than seven days before the rain.

Buckman (1982) reported an average mortality of 27.9% which was highest within 12 days of shearing. The losses related directly to the amount of rain received. …

Distribution Of Foraminifera And Pollen In Coastal Depositional Environments Of The Southern Delmarva Peninsula, Virginia, U.S.A., Han Jun Woo

OES Theses and Dissertations

The coastal zone of the southern Delmarva Peninsula exhibits a wide variety of barrier island system subenvironments. This study investigates whether 20 a priori subenvironments can be distinguished from each other on the basis of abiotic environmental variables, pollen assemblages, living foraminiferal populations, and total (living plus dead) foraminiferal assemblages.

The physical data collected from the coastal zone were subjected to canonical variate analysis which discriminated 83% of the stations in 19 groups. These groups were clustered into two internally overlapping sets which represented the inside and outside of the inlet.

Twenty-two pollen types were found in low-energy marsh and …

Performance Of Annual Legumes And Their Mixes Under Different Crop:Pasture Rotation., P. Evans

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 86KA64, 86KA65 and 86KA66

Performance of annual legumes and their mixtures under different crop:pasture rotations.

Seed reserves, especially in the 1:1 rotation treatment, are on average below 100 kg/ha and in many cases below 50 kg/ha for all three soil types. Because of this the 1991 season will be used to fertilize, control weeds, and apply a grazing management system to favour legume production and seed set. No crop will be sown in 1991.

Sub clover flowering, sequential sowings.

Location: Katanning

To provide seven different temperature and photoperiod regimes, eight cultivars of sub clover ranging in maturity from Nungarin …

Land Management Manual. Merredin Advisory District, F. Frost, M Howell

Natural resources published reports

Farming by soil type recognizes that each major soil unit has specific land use capabilities. 'When developing a farm management programme, understanding and appreciating the productive potential and degradation hazard of each soil unit ensures that production systems can be developed which are 'sustainable. The aim of this land management manual is to describe the climatic and geological features of the district and provide definitions of each of the major soil units and 'current management recommendations. The material is designed to be used as an information base for farm planners.

Thes oil units described are for the Merredin advisory district …

Leaf Diseases Of Wheat, R. Loughman, Geoff Thomas, J. A. Bathgate, W. R. Smith

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90PE10

Strategic variety mixtures to reduce septoria diseases of wheat. Evaluation of wheat lines for suitability to mixing for septoria control.

Location: Mt. Barker Research Station

To determine components of partial resistance to both Septoria species to ensure that lines with components that are complimentary are chosen for evaluation as mixtures for Septoria control.

Trial 90MT12 and 90ME10

Assessing effects of a paired variety mixture to reduce Septoria.

Location: Borden and Mt Barker Research Station.

To assess the effects of a variety mixture on Septoria diseases.

Trial 90MT11 and 90JE9

Evaluating variety mixtures to reduce septoria, using a range …

Evaluation Of Trifolium Pasture Species On A Summer Moist Joel Sub Soil North West Of Harvey., R. Snowball

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90HA2

Introduce a range of long season annual pasture species and 1 perennial species in order to utilize summer sub soil moisture more effectively than the existing subterranean clover pastures.

Evaluation Of Annual And Short Term Rotation Ryegrasses., Tony Albertsen

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

The increasing range of annual and short term rotation ryegrasses have been evaluated in the high rainfall regions of the South West since 1986. To date promising later maturing cultivars such as Concord (in particular), Progrow, Aristocrat have consistently outyielded the standard early maturing cultivar Wimmera during the early winter period and in spring. These later maturing varieties have the potential to more fully utilise the whole of the growing season and to be conserved as hay during drier spring weather, whilst still retaining digestibility, protein and metabolisable energy. Viable seed production for self regeneration from later cut hay pastures …

Ecology And Control Of Grass Weeds In Cereal Pasture Rotations In The Great Southern Region., A. Wallace

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Silvergrass control.

Trial 90AB11

Location: Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute - Katanning.

The site was an established silvergrass dominant pasture on a light sandy soil.

Trial 90KA95

Location: Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute - Katanning

The site was an established silvergrass dominant pasture on a medium clay soil.

Trial 90KA96

Location: Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute - Katanning

The site was an established silvergrass dominant pasture on heavy (Moort type) clay soil.

Simazine was found to be very active against silvergrass on the light sandy site and all rates applied gave complete control. There were some late germinations which enabled …

Stunt Patch Disorder Of Lupins., Miles Dracup

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 89ME1 and 90ME5

Stunt patch disorder of lupins.

Location: Merredin.

Studies on the disorder have been initiated (89ME1 and 90ME5) on two sites 15 km south of Merredin. This report will summarize data on:

1) The soil;

2) Soil strength and lupin emergence on 90ME5; and

3) Soil chemical and physical characteristics associated with the patches on 89ME1 (investigations by A. Thomson for B Sc (Agric) dissertation).

Trial 90PE56

Understanding the importance of moisture and temperature in the seedbed on establishment of lupin.

However, despite their importance in determining the success of establishment, there have been few attempts to …

Demonstration Of Pasture Cultivars On Various Soil Types In The Geraldton Distict., Brad Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90GE13

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a Chapman Valley red/brown sandy loam.

Location: Northern Gulley,

SOIL TYPE: Red/brown sandy loam pH 5 . 4 (water)

Trial 90GE14

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a gravelly grey sand at Allanooka.

Location: Allanooka.

SOIL TYPE: Gravelly grey sand, pH 5.8 (water)

Trial 90GE15

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on an Eradu sandplain soil.

Location: Ogilivie.

SOIL TYPE: Deep yellow loamy sand, pH 6.0 (water)

Trial 90GE16

Demonstration of pasture cultivars on a low rainfall maasive red earth at Mullewa.

Location: Mullewa.

SOIL TYPE: Red sandy clay loam pH 6.2 (water)

Wheat Responses To Levels, Sources And Times Of Application Of Nitrogen., J. W. Bowden, S. J. Burgess, R. J. Lunt, Ian Fillery

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90M055

Associated work: 90NO112, 105,104.111, 90MO53, 54,56

Location: Dandaragan

This project characterizes the dynamics of nitrogen supply to a wheat crop at each of the sites on which various methods of making fertilizer recommendation were tested. It supposedly provides the "optimum" nitrogen fertilizer regime as well as detailed information on nitrogen supply and demand so that results can be made transferable to other situations.

Trial 90MO56

Related trials: 90NO104, 105, 111, 112; 90MO53, 54,55

Tactical nitrogen application for wheat

Location: Danaragan

This project compares tactical and strategic methods for determining nitrogen requirements of wheat. The tactical methods depend on …

Evaluation And Development Of Pasture Species For Deep Sandy Soils In Low To Medium Rainfall Areas., B. J. Nutt

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 90EC1

Effect of species and maturity on dry matter production and water use of annual medic on deep sandplain soil.

Location: East Chapman.

All medic cultivars were preferentially grazed compared to Paros serradella which did not allow a proper comparison between the two species in the grazed treatment. 2. Poor nodulation in Harbinger due to incompatability with the current Group A inoculant (R. meliloti strain WSM 540) resulted in poor-growth-and-low-seed-yield. - 3. Water use was directly related to maturity or time taken to flower ; total water extraction (mm) = 1.48 * days to flower - 41.1 R2 = …

The Role Of Perennial Pasture Species For Increasing Sheep Production In The Medium Rainfall Zone Of W.A., C. M. Saunders

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trials: 90AL33, 90AL34, 90ES56, 90ES57 and 90KA100

91KA117, 91KA116,

Locations: Green Range, Esperance, Pingrup, Katanning, Broomhill.

To examine the productivity and persistence of perennial grasses in the 350-800 mm rainfall zone of W.A.

Economics Of Summer Weed Control., T. Piper

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Aims: To test various chemical options for summer weed control; measuring their efficacy, the amount of soil moisture conserved, and follow-up crop yield. A full season cost-benefit could then be produced. Summer rains were widespread in 1990, and summer weed sites were plentiful.

Trial 90A3

Location: Avondale.

This site had adequate moisture for most of the summer. Weeds were growing well when sprayed, and were readily controlled. (df. Wongan Hills). 2,4-D/diuron gave excellent control at the time of spraying but follow-up germinations marred the result.

Trial 90M6

Location: Merredin.

All treatments have failed at this site. Large doublegee and melons …

Crop Tolerance To Herbicides., D. Bowran

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

1. Tolerance of New Cereal Varieties to Current Herbicides EX 5506 Trial Nos: 90AL41, 90EC36, 90EB45, 90KA130, 90M85, 90NA100

2. Tolerance of Current Cereal Varieties to New Herbicides EX 5506 Trial Nos: 90M86, 90EC35, 90N74

3. Metribuzin Tolerance of Cereal Varieties EX 5507 Trial Nos: 90EC37

4. Lupin Tolerance to Herbicides EX 5508 Trial Nos: 90EC34, 90EB44

5. Pea Tolerance to Herbicides EX 5509 Trial Nos: 90KA131, 89KA64

6. Pasture Legume Tolerance to Herbicides EX 64522 Trial Nos: 90KA132,

Long-Term Rotation Trials., I. Rowland, W. Hawkins

Experimental Summaries - Plant Research

Trial 66M29

Location: Merredin Research Station.

An old land site, cleared in 1909. First sown to Cyprus Barrel medic in 1955, grazed and topdressed. Cropped, 1962 and 1964. Medic resown in 1965.

Trial 67C13

Location: Chapman Research Station

An old land site, cleared in 1903. Sown to Dwalganup sub clover in 1964, topdressed each year until the start of the trial in 1967. In 1981 to 83 all plots were reseeded with Northam at 20 kg/ha. In 1988 rotations were altered to allow inclusion of grain lupins, the following changes were made:

1. The 4 plots of 2 crop :2 …