Rates of acidification of two soil types in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 992
Author(s):  
P Dolling
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Types

No abstract available.

Reliability of canola production in different rainfall zones of Western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imma Farré ◽  
Michael Robertson ◽  
Senthold Asseng
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Oil Content ◽  
Sowing Date ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Minor Effect ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
History Of

The area of canola in the wheat-based farming systems of the wheatbelt of Western Australia (WA) expanded rapidly during the 1990s and has subsequently decreased. Due to the short history of canola production in WA, there is little information on yield and oil content expectations in relation to rainfall, location, and soil type. In this paper we: (1) present the recent history of canola production in the context of the long-term climate record; (2) assess the effect of location, rainfall, soil type, and soil water at sowing on yield and oil content; and (3) determine cut-off sowing dates for profitable canola production. Simulations were run using the APSIM-Canola model with long-term climate records for 3 selected locations from the low-, medium-, and high-rainfall zones and different soil types. Analysis of recent trends in canola area showed that poor seasons and price volatility in the last few years have contributed to farmers’ perception of risk and hence the decline in area sown. Long-term simulations showed the importance of location, sowing date, soil type, and stored soil water at sowing on grain yield. Yield was negatively related to sowing date. Light-textured soils had lower yields and larger yield penalties with delayed sowing than heavy-textured soils. Soil water at sowing gave a yield advantage in most years in all locations studied, but especially in low- and medium-rainfall locations. Variation in oil content was most strongly affected by sowing date and location, while soil type and soil water at sowing had a minor effect. Long-term simulation analysis can be used as a tool to establish the latest possible sowing date to achieve profitable canola for different locations and soil types, given different canola prices and growing costs. Given the vulnerability of profitability to seasonal conditions, in the low- and medium-rainfall zone, the decision to grow canola should be tactical depending on stored soil water, sowing opportunities, seasonal climate outlook, prices, and costs. In contrast, in the high-rainfall zone, canola production is relatively low risk, and could become a reliable component of rotations.

Wheat root penetration and total available water on a range of soil types

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (81) ◽  
pp. 570 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Tennant
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Wheat Root ◽  
Consistent Pattern ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Root Penetration

Depth of root penetration was examined over three years on a range of soil types in Western Australia. A consistent pattern was recognized. Roots penetrated rapidly to 5 to 10 cm from the soil surface within the first week from planting. Subsequent penetration was slow to 6 weeks, at which stage, depending on soil types, depth of root penetration was 15 to 30 cm. Rates of root penetration increased after 6 weeks from planting with greatest penetration occurring between 8 to 13 weeks. Respective maximum depths of root penetration in the deep sand, sandy loam, grey clay and sand over clay soils investigated were 169, 173, 31 and 73 cm. These depths were reached between 10 to 14 weeks after planting. Potential available soil water to maximum depths of root penetration were 2.6, 20.1, 5.6 and 8.1 cm for the deep sand, sandy loam, grey clay and sand over clay respectively. More than half of this available soil water was accessible for crop exploitation over the 9 to 14 week period after planting, except with shallow water and root penetration in the grey clay.

Further investigations on the use of lime on established pastures

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (19) ◽  
pp. 442 ◽  
Author(s):  
NJ Barrow
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nitrogen Mineralization ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Phosphorus Availability ◽  
Manganese Toxicity ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Manganese Deficiency ◽  
Large Response

In glasshouse experiments the increased nitrogen mineralization resulted in a large response of grass to lime. Light dressings of lime increased yield of clovers. This was not due to correcting manganese toxicity. Heavy dressings of lime depressed yield of clovers. This was not due to induced manganese deficiency but was, at least partly, due to induced phosphorus deficiency. Waterlogging the soil increased phosphorus availability and hence partly overcame the depressive effects of high lime. In field experiments ground limestone at 1 ton an acre was applied to a range of pastures and soil types on the coastal plain of south-western Australia. Pasture responses were poorly related to the original pH of the soil but were proportional to the increase in pH.

The cage method of sampling to assess herbage mass and herbage consumed on annual rangeland vegetation

1988 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
BB Zahran ◽  
AM Holm ◽  
WR Stern ◽  
WA Loneragan
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Annual Species ◽  
Short Supply ◽  
Seasonal Trends ◽  
Stocking Rates

The cage method of sampling vegetation was used to estimate herbage mass and herbage consumed by sheep, grazing a pasture dominated by annual species, near Camawon, Western Australia. Using paired quadrats (2m x lm), one caged and the other open, herbage mass and herbage consumed were measured at five stocking rates on two soil types, on eight occasions between December 1983 and January 1985. The data were highly variable; nevertheless, some effects of season, soil type and stocking rate could be observed. The results showed clear seasonal trends. Some soil type x stocking rate interactions were detected during the dry periods of the year when herbage mass was low. Generally, the cage method tended to over-estimate herbage consuped. Sheep consumed approximately 119 to 116 of the available herbage at low and high stocking rates respectively when feed was plentiful; when feed was in short supply the corresponding figures were approximately 113 and 1/2. The limitations of the method are discussed and some suggestions made concerning its applicability in rangeland studies.

Phosphorus sorption in relation to soil properties for the major soil types of South-Western Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 603 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Singh ◽  
RJ Gilkes
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Clay Content ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Phosphorus Sorption ◽  
P Sorption ◽  
Agricultural Areas ◽  
Langmuir And Freundlich Equations ◽  
Sorption Characteristics

The P sorption characteristics of 97 soils that are representative of the agricultural areas of Western Australia were described using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The Langmuir P maximum (xm) ranged from 11 to 2132 �g g-1 soil and the Freundlich k coefficient ranged from 1 to 1681. Clay content, DCB Fe and Al, oxalate Fe and AL, and pyrophosphate Al were positively related to xm and k. By using stepwise regression analysis, the combination of DCB and oxalate-soluble A1 predicted more than 75% Of the variation in the P sorption coefficients. Reactive Al compounds may thus be responsible for much of the P sorption by these soils. Soil pH in 1 M NaF (pH 8.2), which is normally used for the detection of allophanic material, was strongly related to the P sorption coefficients and might therefore be used as a quick test for predicting the P sorption capacity of soils.

High phosphorus concentration in Trifolium balansae and Medicago polymorpha seed increases in herbage and seed yields in the field

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
MDA Bolland ◽  
MJ Baker
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Medicago Polymorpha ◽  
High Phosphorus ◽  
P Concentration ◽  
Seed Yields

Seed of Trifolium balansae and Medicago polymorpha, of the same size (mean ± s.d., T. balansae 0.8 ± 0.01 mglseed, M. polymorpha 3.6 ± 0.05 mg/seed) but with increasing phosphorus (P) concentration in the seed (T. balansae 0.34 to 0.63% P, M. polymorpha 0.40 to 0.64% P), were sown in field experiments as singlestrain, dense, ungrazed swards on 2 different soil types (a sand and a lateritic gravel sand) in south-western Australia. Different amounts of superphosphate were drilled with the seed (5-40 kg P/ha for the sand, and 15-100 kg P/ha for the lateritic gravel sand). Increasing P concentration in seed increased yields of dried herbage measured at each harvest, and also increased seed yields (measured for M. polymorpha only). Increasing P concentration in the seed increased the effectiveness of superphosphate drilled with the seed, so that less fertiliser was required to produce the same yield as P concentration in the seed increased.

Band incorporation of fluazinam (Shirlan) into soil to control clubroot of vegetable brassica crops

2001 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. C. Donald ◽  
I. J. Porter ◽  
R. A. Lancaster
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Marketable Yield ◽  
Brassica Crops ◽  
Vegetable Brassica ◽  
Methods Of Application

Commercially suitable methods for application of fluazinam were evaluated in field trials conducted in Victoria and Western Australia. Incorporation of fluazinam into the soil in bands 23 cm wide along the transplant row (to a depth of about 15–20 cm) immediately before transplanting was the most effective method of application. Plants grown in soil treated in this way developed significantly less clubroot than when fluazinam was applied using either a spot drench (100 mL/plant) or a continuous spray over the plants immediately after transplanting. The banded soil incorporation treatment consistently increased the marketable yield of broccoli and cauliflower. In one trial, banded soil incorporation increased the marketable yield of both crops by at least 80% compared with the other commercial methods of application currently in use. The banded soil incorporation treatment was more reliable and effective in a range of soil types than the high volume drenches currently used. This method of application remained effective, significantly reducing clubroot severity, when the volume of water used to apply fluazinam was reduced by 80% from 2500 to 500 L/ha.

The mineral composition of lupins. 1. A survey of the copper, molydbenum and managanese contents of lupins in the south-west of Western Australia

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
JS Gladstones ◽  
DP Drover
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Copper Content ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
The South ◽  
High Manganese ◽  
The West ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
South West ◽  
Copper Manganese ◽  
Gravelly Soils

Mature plant samples of four Lupinus species from several districts in the south-west of Western Australia, grown on a range of soil types, were analysed for copper, manganese and molybdenum. L. angustifolius had consistently lower copper and molybdenum contents than L. digitatus and L. luteus. L. albus was notable for its extremely high manganese contents, the levels in the seeds being 5-15 times higher than in seeds of other lupin species grown at the same site. Some correlation was found between contents of the three elements in the plants and the nature of the soil and natural vegetation at the site of collection. Manganese and molybdenum, and to a lesser extent copper, contents fell markedly on passing from the brownish sands developed over limestone along the west coast to the deeper and more leached sands further inland. All samples from sandy or gravelly soils characterised by jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and Banksia and Casuarina species were low in both copper and molybdenum. Samples from soils characterised by marri (E. calophylla) also tended to be low in copper, but some had quite high molybdenum contents. Manganese levels in the plants appeared to be closely related to soil texture. The levels of copper in lupins on several of the soil types used for commercial lupin growing were below those considered necessary to meet the requirements of grazing stock, especially where Lupinus angustifolius was used. Copper topdressing at commercial rates did not appear to increase the copper content of lupins substantially. No evidence was found of any relationship between the copper, manganese or molybdenum contents of lupins and the incidence of lupinosis in stock.

Effect of soil properties on the yield and persistence of Mediterranean perennial grasses in southern Western Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (123) ◽  
pp. 399
Author(s):  
EF Biddiscombe ◽  
AL Rogers ◽  
GW Anderson ◽  
ES DeBoer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Podzolic Soil ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Gravel Content ◽  
Red Earth

The effect of ten soil types on yield and survival of three perennial grasses, each mixed with volunteer annual species, was studied for three years under periodic grazing. Yields of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Currie), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Melik) were higher on a gravelly yellow podzolic soil than on other types; phalaris also yielded well on a red podzolic soil. Analysis by multiple linear regression showed that the yield of all sown grasses was high when perched water of the A and upper B horizons was recorded early in winter and sustained until late spring. High gravel content in the A horizon improved cocksfoot and fescue yield and depressed that of phalaris. The high gravel content was associated with increased gravel and decreased water retention of the top of the B horizon at 15 bars. Higher texture classes in the A horizon tended to depress yields of cocksfoot and fescue with no apparent effect on phalaris. The higher texture classes of the clay and clay loam soils tended to decrease general root penetrations. Cocksfoot and phalaris were more productive on shallow than on deep A horizon soils, but fescue yield was not affected by this soil property. Yields of the species can be estimated accurately from regression equations based on three or four soil properties. The results suggest options for selecting perennial grasses suitable for specific soil types among the red earth and red and yellow podzolic groups in the South Western Region of Western Australia. The central problem is that cocksfoot, phalaris and fescue can yield well but do not do so on all soil types.

Water excess under simulated lucerne - wheat phased systems in Western Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 826 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Dolling ◽  
S. Asseng ◽  
M. J. Robertson ◽  
M. A. Ewing
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Runoff Water ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Water Holding

The long-term effect of lucerne use, in reducing drainage of water below the root zone and runoff (water excess), has not been examined in south-western Australia (Western Australia). The main aims of the paper were to determine how the long-term mean water excess was influenced by the proportion of lucerne in the rotation and the length of the lucerne phase in relation to soil type and location. A simulation model was used to compare scenarios, drawing on historical weather data from 1957 to 2001. Simulations were performed for 2 locations (high and low rainfall) and 2 soil types (high and low water-holding capacity). Lucerne significantly and rapidly (within 2–3 years) reduces the long-term mean water excess in rotations consisting of 2–4 years of lucerne followed by 1–4 years of wheat compared with continuous wheat. For every 10% increase in the percentage of lucerne years in the total rotation length, the mean water excess decreased by 17–20 mm (7–9%) at Kojonup (high-rainfall site) and 7–8 mm (8–9%) at Buntine (low-rainfall site) compared with the water excess associated with continuous wheat at each location. The proportion of lucerne in the rotation had a greater effect on the water excess than the effect of different soil types. Variation in the water excess due to variation in rainfall was greater than the reduction in water excess due to lucerne. This makes the decisions about when to grow lucerne to reduce water excess difficult if livestock enterprises are less profitable than cropping enterprises. The simulations show that lucerne mean yearly biomass ranges from 4.5 to 6.9 t/ha at Kojonup and from 1.6 to 4.7 t/ha at Buntine, depending on soil type and stage of lucerne in the land use sequence. It is worth considering that lucerne has the potential to reduce subsequent wheat yields with removal in autumn.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document