The contribution of the mallet hill surface to runoff and erosion in the Narrogin region of Western Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Mcghie
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Aerial Photograph ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Severe Erosion ◽  
Area Use ◽  
Water Repellence ◽  
Sheet Erosion

Severe erosion in the Great Southern area of Western Australia has long been associated with the land class known locally as the 'mallet hill'. This association was confirmed by means of an aerial photograph survey of a representative part of the area. Use of a recycling rainfall simulator showed the mallet hill land class to yield far higher runoff than any of four adjacent upper landscape surfaces. Several factors were thought to contribute to the higher runoff from the mallet hill surface. Among these were steeper slopes, a heavier texture and water repellence of the surface soil which varied from severe in the virgin and freshly cleared state to slight or non existent in soils, which had been cleared for many years. No assessment of the relative contributions of the various factors was made, although it appeared likely that water repellence would be more important in the early years after clearing. Removal of the topsoil by sheet erosion would increase the importance of the low hydraulic conductivity of the heavy-textured subsoil in causing runoff.

Soil erosion of agricultural land in Western Australia estimated by cesium-137

Soil Research ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 533 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Mcfarlane ◽  
RJ Loughran ◽  
BL Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
137Cs Activity ◽  
Rock Outcrops ◽  
Severe Erosion ◽  
Cesium 137 ◽  
Water Repellence ◽  
Soil Losses ◽  
Sheet Erosion

The caesium-137 technique was used to estimate net soil loss from 10 hillslopes in the agricultural area of Western Australia. The gravel fraction of the soil was found to have approximately 56% of the total 137Cs activity found on the <2 mm fraction of the soil on three slopes where it was measured. In the lower rainfall zones, 137Cs appeared not to have uniformly labelled the soils in uncleared areas, possibly due to the redistribution of rainfall in the canopy and above the soil surface, and the water repellence of some soils. A previously established calibration curve was used to calculate net soil losses from the 10 hillslopes. Potato-growing land and slopes below rock outcrops in the Wheatbelt appear to have experienced the most severe erosion since the soils were first labelled with 137Cs in the mid 1950s (19-27 t ha-1 yr-1). Hillslopes below rock outcrops had appreciably less 137Cs than those below lateritic breakaways, indicating the presence of sheet erosion.

Development of Unstable Flow and Reduced Hydraulic Conductivity due to Water Repellence and Restricted Drainage

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. vzj2011.0099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Hardie ◽  
Markus Deurer ◽  
Richard B. Doyle ◽  
Shaun Lisson ◽  
William E. Cotching ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Water Repellence

Corrigenda - A portable microcomputer-controlled drip infiltrometer. II. Field measurement of sorptivity, hydraulic conductivity and time to ponding

Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
BJ Bridge ◽  
PJ Ross
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Dry Soil

The lightweight portable drip infiltrometer described in Part I was used to determine the infiltration characteristics of a sandy loam soil. Sorptivity was determined by varying the application rate to maintain surface ponding and by measuring the time to ponding at a constant application rate. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was equated to the long-time steady-state application rate needed to maintain surface ponding. This rate could be determined to a precision of 0.5 �m s-1 (2 mm h-1) and agreed well with core data from 0.5 to 1.0 m depth in the profile. The results obtained were compared with ponded ring infiltrometer measurements. Sorptivities calculated from the ring infiltrometers were greater than those from the variable rate drip infiltrometer which in turn were greater than those from the constant rate drip infiltrometer. This was attributed to the effect of the macropores under the ponded rings and to confining the depth over which sorptivity was measured under constant application rate to the wetter surface soil. In dry soil, the drip infiltrometer measured low initial infiltration rates caused by poor wetting of the soil, but these were not measured by the ponded ring infiltrometers, which had a 50 mm head. In moist soil, poor wettability did not occur. Five equations for calculating sorptivity from measurements of time to ponding under a constant application rate of 8.3 �m s-1 (30 mm h-1) were used and four of these equations agreed within 20%. This was less than the range of sorptivities arising from uncertainties in determining the time to ponding, and the differences between the equations were attributed to the assumptions used in their derivation. It was concluded that any measurement of sorptivity on this soil was difficult to interpret because of non-uniformity in the upper soil profile.

Hydraulic conductivity of deeply weathered materials in the Darling Range, Western Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 129 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Peck ◽  
PA Yendle ◽  
FE Batini
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Gaussian Function ◽  
Normal Function ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Poor Correlation ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Grid Points ◽  
Log Normal ◽  
Made In

The hydraulic conductivity (K) of unconsolidated, deeply weathered material was measured by the slug test method In 214 boreholes distributed over five distinct areas in the Darling Range of Western Australia. Most of the measurements were made in the zone 0-3 m above hard rock. Theory of the method was extended to include a layer of material with lower K about the slotted pipe. The frequency distribution of K in each area was well fitted by the log-normal function. Parameters of the linear regression of logK against the inverse Gaussian function of cumulative frequency differed significantly (P<0.001) between areas. In one area of 134 ha, measurements were made in 54 boreholes located on a grid. There was a very poor correlation between values of K at the smallest separation of grid points (100 m), which suggests that there is an essentially random spatial variation of K measured by this method in this study area. Assuming log-normal frequency distributions and random spatial distributions, bulk conductivities were estimated for each area. On the basis of these investigations, it is concluded that the bulk hydraulic conductivity of the weathered material in the Darling Range is slow to moderately slow, and relatively uniform on the broad scale.

Surface hydraulic properties of a red earth under continuous cropping with different management practices

Soil Research ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
KY Chan ◽  
DP Heenan
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Earthworm Population ◽  
Red Earth ◽  
Water Repellence

Differences in surface soil hydraulic properties after 10 years of different tillage (direct drilled (DD) versus conventional tillage (CT)) and stubble management practices (stubble retained (SR) versus stubble burnt (SB)) were measured in a lupin/wheat rotation on a red earth at Wagga Wagga, NSW. Sorptivity and hydraulic conductivity measurements using a disk permeameter under negative matric potential (-40 mrn) was complicated by water repellence found under SR as compared to SB treatments. Using water, K-40 of SR/DD was only 40% of SB/CT. However, using a wetting agent instead of water increased K-40 of SR/DD by >400% but did not significantly change that of SB/CT such that K-40 was similar for the two treatments. Despite similar bulk density, hydraulic conductivity under ponded infiltration of SR/DD was 4.1 times that of SB/CT. Differences in hydraulic conductivity between -40 mm and under ponded conditions suggest the presence of significantly more transmitting macropores >1.5 mm in diameter under direct drilling. Dye infiltration results indicated that tillage significantly reduced the number of transmitting macropores (>1 mm) even though the total number of macropores remained similar amongst the different treatments. 65% of the macropores were transmitting under SR/DD compared to 1% under SB/CT. A significant correlation (r2=0.82**) was found between transmitting pores (>1.0 mm) and the earthworm population. Tillage but not stubble burning significantly reduced earthworm population.

Claying and deep ripping can increase crop yields and profits on water repellent sands with marginal fertility in southern Western Australia

Soil Research ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 178 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. M. Hall ◽  
H. R. Jones ◽  
W. L. Crabtree ◽  
T. L. Daniels
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Soil Strength ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Water Repellent ◽  
Water Repellence

Sandplain soils on the south coast of Western Australia have multiple limitations to crop production that include water repellence, low water and nutrient retention, subsoil acidity, and high soil strength. Crops on sandplain soils achieve, on average, almost 85% of their rainfall-limited yield potential; however, where there are multiple limitations the corresponding value is often <50% in any given year. Previous research has shown the value of applying clay-rich subsoil (‘claying’) to ameliorate water repellent soils and improve nutrient retention. Other studies have shown that deep ripping is effective in reducing compaction in sandplain soils. This paper quantifies the effects of 5 subsoil clay rates (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 t/ha), with and without deep ripping to 0.5m, on soil properties, crop growth, and profitability in a replicated field experiment. Crop yields were increased by 0.3–0.6 t/ha as result of added clay. The clay content of the surface soil required to alleviate water repellence and achieve the highest yield increases was 3–6% in soils with ~1% organic carbon. Longer term effects of claying included increased soil organic carbon by 0.2%, pH by 0.6 units, potassium by 47 mg/kg, soil strength by 250 kPa, and cation exchange capacity by 1.3 cmolc/kg to a depth of 0.1 m. However, changes in plant-available water (mm/m) were inconsistent between the clay treatments. Deep ripping to 0.5 m increased crop yields by 0.1–0.5 t/ha. These crop yield responses were still evident 3 years after the ripping treatment had been applied. Soil strength measurements indicate that re-compaction of the ripped treatments had occurred to a depth of 0.2 m in the second year following ripping. Crop responses to claying and deep ripping were additive. Claying and deep ripping, while almost doubling yields, achieved only 50–70% of the rainfall-limited yield potential on these marginally fertile soils. The highest clay rates (>3–6%) had cumulative discounted cash returns $AU100–200/ha higher than the unclayed ‘control’ treatment and $300/ha higher than the lowest clay rates. For most of the clay treatments, deep ripping increased discounted returns between 2005 and 2007 by $80–120/ha.

Relationship Between Soil Properties and the Growth of Legumes on Acid Wodjil Soils in Western Australia

1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Snowball ◽  
AD Robson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Chloride Content ◽  
Aluminium Toxicity ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Surface Soil Layer ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between vegetation and soil properties in part of the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia was investigated. Soil in the Burracoppin Reserve supporting wodjil vegetation (Acacia beauverdiana, A. signata and Allocasuarina corniculata) had a very low pH in the 4.3-5.0 cm surface soil layer, a very low level of mineralizable N and a low chloride content compared to soils supporting Eucalyptus spp. All soils were low in exchangeable potassium and bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus. Acacia signata and Trifolium subterraneum were grown on a soil from Merredin supporting wodjil vegetation. Neither species responded markedly to lime when grown on the surface soil (0-5 cm). However, growth of both species on the subsoil (30-40 cm) was enhanced with the addition of lime. Increased growth of A. signata was probably associated with the alleviation of manganese toxicity which had been induced in this experiment. By contrast, increased growth of T. subterraneum was probably associated with the alleviation of aluminium toxicity.

A portable microcomputer-controlled drip infiltrometer. II. Field measurement of sorptivity, hydraulic conductivity and time to ponding

Soil Research ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
BJ Bridge ◽  
PJ Ross
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Infiltration Rates ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Dry Soil

The lightweight portable drip infiltrometer described in Part I was used to determine the infiltration characteristics of a sandy loam soil. Sorptivity was determined by varying the application rate to maintain surface ponding and by measuring the time to ponding at a constant application rate. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was equated to the long-time steady-state application rate needed to maintain surface ponding. This rate could be determined to a precision of 0.5 �m s-1 (2 mm h-1) and agreed well with core data from 0.5 to 1.0 m depth in the profile. The results obtained were compared with ponded ring infiltrometer measurements. Sorptivities calculated from the ring infiltrometers were greater than those from the variable rate drip infiltrometer which in turn were greater than those from the constant rate drip infiltrometer. This was attributed to the effect of the macropores under the ponded rings and to confining the depth over which sorptivity was measured under constant application rate to the wetter surface soil. In dry soil, the drip infiltrometer measured low initial infiltration rates caused by poor wetting of the soil, but these were not measured by the ponded ring infiltrometers, which had a 50 mm head. In moist soil, poor wettability did not occur. Five equations for calculating sorptivity from measurements of time to ponding under a constant application rate of 8.3 �m s-1 (30 mm h-1) were used and four of these equations agreed within 20%. This was less than the range of sorptivities arising from uncertainties in determining the time to ponding, and the differences between the equations were attributed to the assumptions used in their derivation. It was concluded that any measurement of sorptivity on this soil was difficult to interpret because of non-uniformity in the upper soil profile.

The biology of the Jarrah leaf miner, Perthida glyphopa common (Lepidoptera : Incurvariidae)

1970 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
MMH Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Soil Type ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Leaf Miner ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Eucalyptus Marginata ◽  
Innate Resistance

The jarrah leaf miner P. glyphopa causes conspicuous damage to both jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and to flooded gum (E. rudis) in Western Australia. It may also attack other Eucalyptus species but rarely reaches high densities in them. Details of the life history and distribution are presented and processes influencing numbers in the field are discussed. These include larval parasitism (Hymenoptera); possible predation by birds; tree or understorey density or both; surface soil type; and innate resistance of certain trees to attack. A theory of outbreak initiation and subsequent decline is outlined.

A Comparative assessment of estimated soil hydraulic conductivity from rainfall simulator and infiltrometer using laboratory repacked soil samples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparimita Priyadarshini Naik ◽  
Sreeja Pekkat
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Comparative Assessment ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Soil Pressure ◽  
Rainfall Simulator ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Soil Hydraulic Conductivity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Soil Hydraulic

&lt;p&gt;Near surface soil hydraulic conductivity is an essential parameter for various hydrological, geotechnical, and environmental-related studies. Currently, many instruments are in practice for evaluating this parameter, both in field, and laboratory. The rainfall simulator (RS) and mini disc infiltrometer (MDI) are two instruments used for the indirect estimation of hydraulic conductivity by many researchers and engineers. However, both the devices differ in their working philosophy and evaluation methodology. While the RS works by considering large soil volumes and providing a positive soil pressure, the MDI works for small sampled volumes and supply negative boundary head. Therefore, the two devices can result in varying estimates of hydraulic conductivity. In this study, a comparative assessment is carried out between the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt;) estimates from the two instruments using laboratory experiments for two different soil textures (loam and sand). The infiltration results from the RS are analyzed using the Green-Ampt method, and from the MDI is analyzed using the Zhang's method followed by the Kutilek and Nielson method to produce K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt; values. The K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt; results from both the instruments are compared with the values obtained using the laboratory falling-head permeameter test. A one-way ANOVA and the Fisher&amp;#8217;s Least Significant Difference (LSD) test as a posthoc test are carried out to analyze the statistical significance of the differences in the estimates of K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt; by the two devices. The results showed that the two devices produced varying K&lt;sub&gt;s&lt;/sub&gt; results for both the soil textures, with the MDI mean values being one order higher than the RS mean. Compared with the permeameter values, the mean values from the RS were closer to the permeameter than the MDI. However, the ANOVA test and the Fisher&amp;#8217;s LSD test reported that the variations between the two devices with that of the permeameter were not significant for both the soil textures. On the other hand, the RS and MDI variations were reported significant by the ANOVA and post hoc test.&lt;/p&gt;

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