scholarly journals Five-year survival and growth of farm forestry plantings of native trees and radiata pine in pasture affected by position in the landscape

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Reid ◽  
Jackie Reid ◽  
Justin Hoad ◽  
Stuart Green ◽  
Greg Chamberlain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Insect Damage ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Casuarina Cunninghamiana ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Pulp Wood

Woodlots ranging in area from 0.18 to 0.5 ha were established within the Cicerone Project farmlet trial on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia, due to a lack of physical protection in most paddocks across the farmlets. Two percent of each farmlet was planted to trees to examine the commercial and environmental potential of seven species to provide shade and shelter for livestock, increase biodiversity or contribute to cash flow through farm forestry diversification. Eucalyptus caliginosa (timber), E. nitens (timber, pulp wood), E. radiata (essential oil) and Pinus radiata (timber) were planted in four upslope plots (1059–1062 m a.s.l.) in different paddocks. Casuarina cunninghamiana (timber, shelter), E. acaciiformis (shade, shelter and biodiversity), E. dalrympleana (timber, biodiversity), E. nitens (timber, pulp wood), E. radiata (essential oil) and P. radiata (timber) were planted in four low-lying plots (1046–1050 m a.s.l.) in separate paddocks, 400–1200 m distant. The pines and natives were planted in August and October 2003, respectively, into a well prepared, weed-free, mounded, planting bed. After 5 years, P. radiata (98% survival) and E. nitens (83%) survived best in upslope plots, reaching maximum heights of 7.8 and 8.8 m and exhibiting no or only modest insect damage, respectively. In low-lying plots, E. acaciiformis (75% survival) and E. dalrympleana (80%) survived best, reaching maximum heights of 5.5 and 4.5 m, and exhibiting little or only moderate insect damage, respectively. P. radiata exhibited 17–69% survival in the two lowest-lying plots but 100% survival in the other two lowland plots. On average, <50% of C. cunninghamiana, E. nitens and E. radiata survived in low-lying plots and survivors grew poorly. Early frosts in March 2004 were the primary cause of losses in low-lying plots, and frost, waterlogging, insect attack and some inadvertent livestock browsing explain the slower growth of species in low-lying plots compared with their performance upslope. P. radiata and perhaps E. nitens have commercial promise for timber production on Northern Tablelands farms, but only in higher (well drained, less frost-prone) parts of the landscape. E. acaciiformis can withstand the stressful growing conditions in open pasture in low-lying plots, and should be planted more widely for on-farm shade and shelter. E. dalrympleana can also be considered for amenity and biodiversity plantings in lower parts of the landscape.

ON-FARM FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS FOR NORTHLAND

1986 ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
J.S. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Joint Ventures ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Farm Forestry ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
Financial Position ◽  
On Farm

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.

scholarly journals Effects of different factors influencing the essential oil properties of Thymus vulgaris L.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Pluhár ◽  
Dóra Szabó ◽  
Szilvia Sárosi
Keyword(s):  
Essential Oil ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
Storage Conditions ◽  
Thymus Vulgaris ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Aromatic Plant ◽  
Active Constituent ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Scientific Results ◽  
Growing Conditions

Thymus vulgaris L. is a well-know medicinal and aromatic plant native to the Mediterranean region. The essential oil is considered as the main active constituent, being responsible for its typical odour and taste as well as for several therapeutic effects. Our aim was to demonstrate the most important factors influencing the quality and quantity parameters of thyme oil by summarizing the available literature data and our own scientific results. Genetic background, climatic and growing conditions, techniques of primary processing, storage conditions as well as different extraction methods have proven effects on the essential oil properties and, as a consequence, on its biological activity, either.

Growth of four species of juvenile fish associated with the Seagrass Zostera capricorni, in Botany Bay, NSW

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Worthington ◽  
DJ Ferrell ◽  
SE NcNeill ◽  
JD Bell
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
New South ◽  
Juvenile Fish ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Length Frequency ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Sampling Programme

Populations of four species of juvenile fish- Rhabdosargus sarba, Acanthopagrus australis, Achoerodus viridis and Girella tricuspidata-were sampled from a seagrass bed in Botany Bay, New South Wales. Fish were collected eight times between 22 March 1990 and 22 February 1991, using a small seine-net. Growth rates were calculated from the progression of cohorts in length-frequency distributions. Cohorts of R. sarba, A. australis and A. viridis grew most slowly during winter (0.02, 0.04 and 0.21 mm day-1, respectively); growth then increased, peaking just prior to the loss of the cohort from the habitat (0.3 1, 0.24 and 0.39 mm day-1). Populations of R. sarba, A. australis and A. viridis were comprised of one or two cohorts that remained in the habitat for at least 3-4 months. Conversely, up to seven cohorts of G. tricuspidata were found between October and February, and most cohorts did not remain in the habitat for more than 2 months. As a result, there were only two confident estimates of growth for G. tricuspidata: 0.23 mm day-1 between October and November, and 0.34 mm day-1 between January and February. Individuals of each species were also kept in a flow-through 4000-L tank of sea water. Growth of cohorts of fish kept in the tank was very similar to that found in natural populations during the same time period. The rates of recruitment and loss of cohorts from seagrass can be rapid and these factors must be considered in designing a sampling programme to assess growth by analysis of length-frequency distributions.

A qualitative study of the management and biosecurity practices of 13 interviewed pig owners selling via informal means in New South Wales, Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 852 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Schembri ◽  
P. K. Holyoake ◽  
M. Hernández-Jover ◽  
J.-A. L. M. L. Toribio
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Classical Swine Fever ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Animal Disease ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Limited Application ◽  
Biosecurity Practices ◽  
On Farm

There is increasing interest in the trading practices of producers who market pigs at live auction in Australia and the potential for infectious disease establishment and spread. The practices that underpin the commercial pork industry in Australia are well known. However, little is known about informal movements of pigs in Australia, and the biosecurity risks associated with pig production enterprises that utilise these methods of trade. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the biosecurity and pig-keeping practices of owners who trade pigs informally for Foot and Mouth Disease and Classical Swine Fever exposure and spread. Interviews were conducted with 13 pig owners who trade via informal means between April and June 2009. Information provided by producers was able to be validated for the six interviews conducted on-farm. There was limited application of recommended biosecurity practices on-farm and few kept health and management records. All interviewees reared other livestock species, such as ruminants and/or poultry, as well as pigs. Most interviewed owners claimed to quarantine introduced pigs from the main herd; however, few complied with industry recommendations. The results of this study suggest that pig owners (n = 13 interviewed) who currently trade their pigs informally pose few threats for the introduction of emergency animal disease. Pig keepers largely obtained their pig feed from reputable sources and appeared to have a sound understanding of swill feeding. However, the lack of on-farm biosecurity, variable quarantine practices and the failure to keep health records could play a role in the spread of an emergency animal disease if it was to be introduced. Further work is being undertaken to determine, qualitatively, the risk associated with the management practices undertaken by informal pig traders and Foot and Mouth Disease and Classical Swine Fever introduction and spread.

Weed control and row-spacing in dry-land sorghum in northern New South Wales

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (117) ◽  
pp. 310 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Holland ◽  
DW McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Dry Land ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Growing Conditions

Six experiments were done in northern New South Wales over three seasons to study the effect of weeds on the yield of dry-land grain sorghum and methods of weed control. The relation between crop row spacing and weed control by inter-row cultivation or atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino- 6-isopropylamino-l,3,5-triazine), or both was studied. Where the site yield was high because of favourable growing conditions, an increase in the crop row spacing reduced yield. At low yielding sites, an increase in the row spacing increased yields. At most sites, weed growth was greater with wider row spacings, which resulted in a larger reduction in crop yield where weeds were not removed. Inter-row cultivation reduced weed growth to less than half that of the unweeded controls. Pre-emergent atrazine gave good weed suppression, generally reducing weed growth to less than 10% of the unweeded control when applied at 2.5 kg/ha active ingredient. Post-emergent atrazine was much less effective. Inter-row cultivation combined with a band of pre-emergent atrazine over the crop row was as effective in weed control as an overall spray of pre-emergent atrazine.

Should we manage soil organic carbon in Vertosols in the northern grains region of Australia?

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Farquharson ◽  
G. D. Schwenke ◽  
J. D. Mullen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
South Wales ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Carbon Concentrations

Two issues prompted this paper. The first was the measured soil organic carbon decline in fertile northern Australian soils under continual cropping using traditional management practices. We wanted to see whether it was theoretically possible to maintain or improve soil organic carbon concentrations with modern management recommendations. The second was the debate about use of sustainability indicators for on-farm management, so we looked at soil organic carbon as a potential indicator of soil health and investigated whether it was useful in making on-farm crop decisions. The analytical results indicated first that theoretically the observed decline in soil organic carbon concentrations in some northern cracking clay soils can be halted and reversed under continuous cropping sequences by using best practice management. Second, the results and associated discussion give some support to the use of soil organic carbon as a sustainability indicator for soil health. There was a consistent correlation between crop input decisions (fertilisation, stubble management, tillage), outputs (yield and profits) and outcomes (change in soil organic carbon content) in the short and longer term. And this relationship depended to some extent on whether the existing soil organic carbon status was low, medium or high. A stock dynamics relationship is one where the change in a stock (such as soil organic carbon) through time is related not only to the management decisions made and other random influences (such as climatic effects), but also to the concentration or level of the stock itself in a previous time period. Against such a requirement, soil organic carbon was found to be a reasonable measure. However, the inaccuracy in measuring soil organic carbon in the paddock mitigates the potential benefit shown in this analysis of using soil organic carbon as a sustainability indicator.These results are based on a simulation model (APSIM) calibrated for a cracking clay (Vertosol) soil typical of much of the intensively-cropped slopes and plains region of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, and need to be interpreted in this light. There are large areas of such soils in north-western New South Wales; however, many of these experience lower rainfalls and plant-available soil water capacities than in this case, and the importance of these characteristics must also be considered.

The effect of growing sites on grain quality of oats and pasting properties of oatmeals

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. X. Zhou ◽  
M. Glennie-Holmes ◽  
G. L. Roberts ◽  
K. Robards ◽  
S. Helliwell
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Pasting Properties ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Milling Quality ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Grain Milling ◽  
Oil Concentration ◽  
Growing Conditions

To assess the effect of growing sites on oat quality, 8 varieties were grown at 13 sites in New South Wales, Australia, in the 1995–96 and 1996–97 growing seasons. Grain milling quality, chemical composition, and pasting properties differed significantly between sites and were related to both variety and growing conditions. Varieties were the main determining factor of kernel size, kernel weight, and oil concentration, whereas growing conditions accounted for most of the variance in groat percentage and protein concentration. Breeding and selection offer opportunities for improving oat quality, and selecting suitable sites to grow oats could greatly improve milling quality and pasting properties, and ensure appropriate chemical composition.

Low nodulation and nitrogen fixation of mungbean reduce biomass and grain yields

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Herridge ◽  
M. J. Robertson ◽  
B. Cocks ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
J. F. Holland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Nitrate ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Relationship

Apparent nodulation failures and associated low grain yields have been reported for commercial mungbean (Vigna radiata) crops in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales. We therefore conducted on-farm surveys of 40 commercial mungbean crops in the region in which symbiotic traits, i.e. nodulation and nitrogen fixation, and biomass and grain yield were monitored. Effects of bradyrhizobial inoculation and inoculation methods on mungbean and soybean (Glycine max) symbiosis and yield were determined in experiments at 3 sites in northern New South Wales. Thirty-four of the 35 mungbean crops assessed for nodulation were nodulated. The relationship between soil nitrate to a depth of 90 cm at sowing and mungbean nodulation was not significant. However, at low-to-moderate soil nitrate levels (<100 kg N/ha), the mean nodule score was 1.6, compared with 0.5 at high (>100 kg N/ha) soil nitrate levels. Soil nitrate had a negative effect on the percentage of mungbean nitrogen derived from nitrogen fixation (%Ndfa). Mean %Ndfa values for soil nitrate levels <50, >50–100 and >100 kg N/ha were 35, 22 and 19% respectively. Grain yields of the surveyed mungbean crops varied from 0.3 to 2.1 t/ha, and were correlated with shoot dry matter. Grain yield was not significantly correlated either with sowing soil nitrate, nodule score or %Ndfa. In the inoculation experiments, mungbean did not nodulate as well as soybean, producing about one-third the number of nodules. Both species responded to inoculation with increased nodulation, although data from one of the sites suggested that responses during early growth of mungbean were not maintained during pod-fill. Effects of inoculation on mungbean %Ndfa were marginal. Average increases were 9%, based on natural 15N abundance, and 6%, based on the ureide method. Soybean %Ndfa, on the other hand, responded strongly to inoculation, with increases of 56 (15N) and 77% (ureide). Inoculation increased mungbean crop N by an average of 10% and grain yield by 6%, compared with responses to fertiliser nitrogen of 31% (crop N) and 10% (grain yield). For soybean, inoculation increased crop nitrogen by 43% and grain yield by 7%, similar to responses to fertiliser nitrogen of 45 (crop N) and 5% (grain yield). These results suggest that inoculated mungbean was N-limited and that inoculation of mungbean using current technology may be somewhat ineffectual. We concluded that low nodulation and nitrogen fixation of commercial mungbean most likely results from the suppressive effects of nitrate and/or insufficient numbers of bradyrhizobia in the soil. When low symbiosis and low soil nitrate are combined, N is likely to limit crop growth, and potentially grain yield. Suggested strategies for improving mungbean nodulation and nitrogen fixation in the northern grains belt include selection of more symbiotically competent plant and bradyrhizobial genotypes and more effective utilisation of established soil populations of mungbean bradyrhizobia.

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