Fertilizer strip tests for the identification of superphosphate responsive pastures

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (121) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
AN Smith
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Capacitance Probe ◽  
Fertilizer Rates ◽  
Interpretation Of Results

The ability of superphosphate strip tests to identify responsive pastures was evaluated at eight sites on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Five rates of superphosphate (0, 100,200, 300 and 600 kg/ha) were applied in 100 x 7 m strips in early spring and the pasture dry matter responses measured every three months with a capacitance probe. Herbage responses, ranging from 12 to 232% occurred in the following three months on seven of the eight pastures. The spring and autumn periods gave the largest quarterly responses. The variation in growth within strips observed was small enough to establish differences in dry matter between strips. On deficient sites all fertilizer rates produced measurable responses, however the 300 kg/ha rate was sufficient to give clear-cut responses at all the deficient sites. As the pasture responses observed in the strip tests were consistent with predicted responses by plant and soil analyses, it was concluded that they offer a practical alternative for use by farmers. Suggestions are made on the layout of fertilizer strips, and the interpretation of results.

Effects of herbicides on wallaby grass (Danthonia spp.). 2. Established plants

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 759 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
MG McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Seed Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Crops ◽  
Seed Yields

Three experiments were conducted at Tamworth, New South Wales, in 1990-92 to assess the effects of a range of broadleaf and grass herbicides, 6 rates of glyphosate and paraquat + diquat, and 4 rates of 2,4-D amine and diuron on the phytotoxicity, dry matter yield, inflorescence number, and seed yield of established Danthonia (wallaby grass) plants. Phytotoxicity was scored visually on a 0-5 scale (0, no phytotoxicity; 5, 100%). Danthonia dry matter yields were not affected (P<0.05) by any herbicide tested, except glyphosate applied at 2360 g a.i./ha. Phytotoxicity was highest for the glyphosate treatment (1440 g a.i./ha) in that study. All rates of glyphosate, and paraquat + diquat rates >250 + 150 g a.i./ha reduced (P<0.05) inflorescence number compared with the unsprayed control. Paraquat + diquat had no significant effect on seed yield, but glyphosate rates >360 g a.i./ha reduced (P<0.05) seed yield compared with the control. In 1992, no damage was observed on 2,4-D amine treatments and phytotoxicity scores were low (<2) for all diuron treatments. Danthonia inflorescence numbers and seed yields were higher (P<0.05) on plots mown in early spring than on unmown treatments. The lack of effect of herbicides such as diclofopmethyl, simazine, fenoxaprop-ethyl, and diuron on Danthonia dry matter yield, and the low phytotoxicity, indicated that a range of chemicals may be used on established Danthonia swards to control perennial and annual grass weeds. Seed yield was more affected than dry matter yield by herbicide, and paraquat + diquat should be used in preference to glyphosate on seed crops.

The effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the seasonal production of irriagted perennial grasses in coastal New South Wales

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (41) ◽  
pp. 610 ◽  
Author(s):  
EC Wolfe ◽  
FC Crofts
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Late Autumn ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
South Wales

The seasonal productivity of eight perennial grasses at three nitrogen levels was measured in small pure-grass swards at Badgery's Creek, New South Wales. Highly significant differences in seasonal productivity were found between nitrogen levels in all four seasons, and between cultivars in summer, autumn, and winter. The response of the grasses to nitrogen was slightly greater at the high than at the medium level of nitrogen application in all seasons, and was highest in spring (about 40 lb of dry matter per lb of applied nitrogen) and lowest in mid-winter (about 8 lb/lb). Tall fescue was the most efficient responder to nitrogen in late summer and early autumn, Kangaroo Valley ryegrass in late autumn and late winter, and Currie cocksfoot in mid-winter. At a high level of nitrogen, the dry matter produced by Kangaroo Valley ryegrass and Currie cocksfoot in the late autumn to early spring period, the period of greatest feed shortage, was nearly as great as that produced over a similar period by sod-sown oats in earlier experiments at Badgery's Creek.

Evaluation of oat forage for finishing prime lambs on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (86) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Archer ◽  
FG Swain
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Grazing Period ◽  
Carry Over ◽  
Stocking Rates

In 1967 at Armidale, New South Wales, oats (Avena sativa cv. Cooba) were grown with or without 180 kg N ha-I and rotationally grazed on a three paddock system from July 13 to November 16 with Border Leicester x Merino lambs. Stocking rates were 20,40 or 60 sheep ha-1 (experiment 1). In 1968 (experiment 2) oats were rotationally grazed on either a three or four paddock system at stocking rates of 20, 30 or 40 lambs ha-1. Grazing began on either June 6 or July 17 and terminated on November 20. The rotational grazing systems allowed for a grazing period of two weeks and regrowth periods of four or six weeks. Application of nitrogen increased the quantity of dry matter available prior to grazing in 1967 by 20 per cent but did not affect regrowth rates during winter and early spring. In 1968, approximately 33 per cent more forage was available prior to grazing in mid-July than in early June. There was little effect of grazing management on the rate of regrowth. In both years, regrowth rates were low during winter and carry over residue was required to provide a continuity of available forage. Liveweight gains of lambs during winter and early spring reached 170 to 200 g head-1 day-1 at stocking rates of 20 or 30 sheep ha-1 for the early and late commencement of grazing treatments respectively. Lower gains to 120 g head-1 day-1 were recorded for six to eight weeks at higher stocking rates but subsequent liveweight losses occurred; these being greater if grazing commenced early. Neither N nor grazing management system materially affected liveweight gains. Approximately 1.5 kg available dry matter head-1day-1 was required at the start of each fortnightly grazing period to ensure maximum liveweight gains

Habitat preference, diet and demography of the smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus (Rodentia : Muridae), in south-eastern New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Ford ◽  
Andrew Cockburn ◽  
Linda Broome
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preference ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Habitat Choice ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Dietary Preference ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
South Wales ◽  
High Level

The smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus, is an endangered rodent for which ecological information is lacking across much of its range. This paper provides the first detailed study of the local diet and habitat preference of P. fumeus since 1980, conducted on the recently discovered Nullica population in New South Wales. Diet and trap-revealed movements were examined in conjunction with 18 characteristics of habitat to determine the factors influencing habitat choice. Multiple logistic regression of habitat variables and capture locations revealed a floristically determined preference for heath habitat characterised by Epacris impressa, Monotoca scoparia, Leptospermum trinervium, Xanthorrhoea spp. and a variety of legumes. Hypogeal fungi and seeds were the most common food items in the diet of P. fumeus. Fungi were most abundant in winter diet, while seeds and fruit became dominant in late spring and summer. The spring and summer preference for ridge-top heath habitats observed in this study is probably the result of this dietary preference. Resident females constituted 71% of the population in early spring. However, there was a severe decline in numbers of female mice during early spring, and resident males also disappeared from the population. Causes of the decline were unclear. Five of eleven males captured during this study were transient, while no transient females were caught. The sudden decline in the study population, combined with the patchy distribution of suitable habitat and high level of male transience, suggests that P. fumeus form a metapopulation in the Nullica region.

Migration and dispersal of the Rutherglen bug, Nysius vinitor Bergroth (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), in eastern Australia

1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrick McDonald ◽  
Roger A. Farrow
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Flight Duration ◽  
Migratory Activity ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Synoptic Conditions ◽  
Yorke Peninsula

AbstractAerial sampling for Nysius vinitor Bergroth was undertaken in the surface and upper air, at altitudes of 2 and 100-300 m, respectively, at Trangie in central New South Wales and at Corny Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Insects were sampled for 15 periods, each of 3-11 days, between October 1979 and February 1984, covering all months except January, March and May. N. vinitor was one of the most abundant insects caught in the upper air during the day and night (mean density of 652/106 m3), while the congeneric N. clevelandensis Evans was rarely caught at any time. N. vinitor was caught in all months sampled except for the winter months of July and August, and the largest daily catches occurred in September. Females were generally less common than males, although the relative incidence in the upper air catches frequently increased significantly from day to night. Fewer mature females were caught in the upper air (0-16·8%) than at the surface (0-48·4%). Densities were generally much greater in the surface air than in the upper air, although during the major flights of spring, there was less than a two-fold difference, indicating increased migratory activity. Migration occurred in a range of synoptic conditions resulting in the displacement of individuals in a variety of directions and distances depending on synoptic flow at the time of flight. Major migrations occurred at night, following dusk take-off, in disturbed weather associated with prefrontal airflows. These resulted in net southward displacements of ca 200-300 km depending on flight duration. It is suggested that major immigration flights into central-western New South Wales and regions to the south regularly occur in early spring (September-October) and probably arise from breeding areas in subtropical latitudes.

Performance of temperate legumes and associated grasses on granitic soils of low fertility in the New England region of New South Wales

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (77) ◽  
pp. 795 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Thompson
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Applied Nitrogen

A range of temperate annual and perennial legumes, naturalized or commonly sown in the area, was examined at three field sites in low fertility soils derived from granite on the south western slopes of the New England Region, New South Wales. They were compared over a four year period in terms of their persistence, dry matter and nitrogen production and their compatibility with associated temperate perennial grasses, The response of sown grass to nitrogen fertilizer application was also examined in the absence of legume. Ten legumes were examined at one site and six of these at the other two sites. In general, nitrogen yields were ranked similarly to total dry matter yields of all treatments, including grasses in the absence of legume. However, the legumes were ranked differently in terms of productivity of the legume component and productivity of associated grass. At all sites lucerne gave the highest yields of total dry matter and of legume and the lowest yield and persistence of associated grass-comparable to grass growing in the absence of legume or applied nitrogen. Subterranean clover was ranked second or third in total dry matter yield, depending on site, but provided the highest yield of associated grasscomparable to grass receiving high levels of applied nitrogen. Under this legume soil nitrogen levels tended to be highest. Rose clover, sown at one site only, yielded more legume dry matter than subterranean clover but grass yield was comparable to that with lucerne. The results suggest that subterranean clover is the superior legume for successful mixed sowings although inclusion of white clover could be justified. Lucerne appears to be best sown as a pure sward.

Chemical seedbed preparation and the efficiency of nitrogen utilization by sod-sown oats. 2. Spraying interval and comparison of herbicides

1971 ◽  
Vol 11 (50) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Ammonium Thiocyanate ◽  
Nitrogen Utilization ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Paspalum Dilatatum ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seedbed Preparation

The effectiveness of chemical seedbed preparation for sod-sown oats was studied using varying intervals between spraying and sowing. Four herbicides were compared in a second experiment. Both experiments were conducted on paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) dominant pastures on red basaltic soil on the North Coast of New South Wales. Herbicides were most effective when applied at 6.7 kg acid equivalent a hectare. At this rate, the highest yields of dry matter and nitrogen were obtained when there was a three-week interval and considerably less when there was no interval. A mixture of 2,2-DPA (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) and amitrole (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole) was more effective than 2,2-DPA alone with a three-week spraying interval but there was no difference with a six-week interval. Both amitrole and a mixture of amitrole and ammonium thiocyanate were ineffective for chemical seedbed preparation on paspalum pastures;

Persistence and water use efficiency of a tropical grass and lucerne on a solodic soil on the Far North-West Slopes of New South Wales

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
PG Tow
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Spring Temperatures ◽  
Use Efficiency

The persistence and water use efficiency of Digitaria eriantha spp. eriantha and Hunter river lucerne were compared on red solodic soil with a hardsetting surface and poor internal drainage, on the North- West Slopes of New South Wales. After prolonged watering, the profile was wet to a depth of 48 � 1.5 cm, with an available moisture store of 90 mm. Over 3 years, persistence of digitaria was excellent. The population of lucerne was reduced following flooding at summer temperatures, Dry matter production of nitrogen (N) fertilised digitaria per mm warm season rainfall was similar to that of tropical grasses adapted to comparable rainfall environments in subtropical Queensland. Lucerne dry matter per mm rainfall was only about half that of digitaria (3.2 v. 6.3 kg). Lucerne grew well in mixture with digitaria except under prolonged wet soil conditions in summer. Artificial solodic profiles were constructed in the glasshouse to compare digitaria and lucerne in monoculture and mixture under varying temperature, moisture, and N regimes. Lucerne showed sensitivity to both high and low moisture levels at summer temperatures but performed very well at spring temperatures and moderate moisture levels where the mean evapotranspiration ratio was 400 g water per g dry matter. Water use efficiency was higher in digitaria than in lucerne, except at spring temperatures without added N. Water use efficiency of the mixture was always similar to that of the most efficient monoculture of the particular treatment.

Survey of the productivity, composition and estimated inputs of fixed nitrogen by pastures in central-western New South Wales

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Bowman ◽  
W. Smith ◽  
M. B. Peoples ◽  
J. Brockwell
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
South Wales

Total productivity and legume nitrogen fixation (N2 fixation) in dryland pastures were examined in a 2 year study (1999–2001) on 118 farms in central-western New South Wales. Pasture exclosure cages, placed at 217 on-farm sites, were harvested on 7 occasions and the foliage hand-sorted according to species in order to measure shoot dry matter (DM). The separated legume shoot material collected in spring 1999 (52 different legume samples) and 2000 (76 different legume samples) from a subset of representative pastures (41 cages on 28 different farms in 1999, 32 cages on 25 different farms in 2000) was also analysed for concentration of nitrogen (%N) and 15N natural abundance. These data were subsequently used to calculate the proportion of the legume shoot N derived from atmospheric N (%Ndfa), comparative measures of the relative efficiency of N2 fixation (kg N fixed/t DM accumulated) and the amounts of shoot N fixed (kg N/ha). The survey encompassed 8 common pasture types, and 5 others that were less common, ranging from native perennial grass pastures with little legume content to lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pastures with and without companion clovers. Fifteen legume species were found in the pastures, some only occasionally. Lucerne and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were the only perennials. Mean spring estimates of %Ndfa were similar in 1999 and 2000 for lucerne (72 and 81%, respectively), rose clover (T. hirtum All., 82 and 77%) and annual medics (Medicago spp., 89 and 86%). For the remaining 12 legume species, measures of %Ndfa ranged from 64 to 95% and averaged 83%. Shoot %N contents were greater for lucerne than for the other 14 legumes and this was reflected in the comparative measures of N2 fixation which ranged from 14.5 kg N/t DM for rose clover to 25.7 kg N/t DM for lucerne in 2000. The most productive pasture type comprised lucerne plus balansa clover [T. michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.], white clover or arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi), but all pasture types that contained lucerne were highly productive. Spring was the most productive season and summer the least. Lucerne was overwhelmingly the most productive legume and was responsible for >83% of the fixed N in those pastures that contained both lucerne and other legumes. Lucerne productivity was approximately uniform throughout the year whereas, for other pastures, especially those based on rose clover or subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.), there were sharp peaks in spring and little or no dry matter production over summer. The presence of lucerne in pastures significantly (P<0.05) reduced broadleaf weeds. It was concluded that, where there are requirements in central-western New South Wales agriculture for uniform forage production throughout the year and a high input of fixed N, lucerne is substantially superior to other species.

Production from tagasaste (Chamaecytisus palmensis) at four contrasting sites in New South Wales

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
PL Milthorpe ◽  
PR Dann
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperatures ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Good Production ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Fodder Crops

In 1985, experiments were conducted at 4 localities in south-eastern and central New South Wales, to assess the production potential of tagasaste. The results were disappointing: 2 experiments failed to establish because of soil waterlogging, while production from the other 2 sites was only intermittent. Annual dry matter production did not exceed 3 t/ha at Condobolin or 5 t/ha at Yass. Although survival of established plants was good, production was limited by prolonged dry periods at Condobolin and by low temperatures during winter at Yass. Tagasaste is costly to establish (up to $A500/ha) and difficult to manage. In our environments, conventional pastures or fodder crops which require simpler management would probably out-produce tagasaste at most times during the experimental period.

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