Influence of cropping on the population of a native earthworm and consequent effects on hydraulic properties of vertisols

Soil Research ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 995 ◽  
Author(s):  
JJ Friend ◽  
KY Chan
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
New South ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Shrinkage Cracks ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Earthworm Population ◽  
Moisture Conditions ◽  
Brown Clay

Population density of Heteroporodrilus mediterreus, a large native earthworm found on the Mitchell grassland (Astrebla lappacea) on the Vertisol plains near Walgett, New South Wales, was investigated at two sites (brown and grey clays). Maximum earthworm activity at the soil surface layer was observed during winter (July/August) corresponding to more favourable soil moisture conditions. The highest earthworm population density (7.5 m-2) and biomass (0.89 t ha-1) were detected at the brown clay site under natural pasture. Populations were much lower (by two thirds in the brown clay) and the proportion of immature worms was much higher in the cropped soils than in the pasture soils. Current wheat cropping practices involving long fallowing and excessive cultivation during the period when earthworms are active at the surface are the possible causes of the reduction in population. Disc permeameter measurements compared with infiltration through single earthworm holes showed that the earthworm channels contributed significantly to the movement of water into the subsoil. Their persistence under wet conditions, even after closure of shrinkage cracks, suggests they are also important in maintaining subsoil aeration. Significant reductions in sorptivity and infiltration rate were observed in the cropped soils.

Reclamation of a scalded, red duplex soil by waterponding

Soil Research ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 779 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Ringrose-Voase ◽  
DW Rhodes ◽  
GF Hall
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Infiltration Rate ◽  
Silty Clay ◽  
Soluble Salts ◽  
Massive Structure ◽  
Shrinkage Cracks ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Swell Potential ◽  
Wind And Water Erosion

In semi-arid New South Wales, waterponding is successfully used to reclaim red duplex soils which have been scalded by wind and water erosion exacerbated by overgrazing and drought. Reclamation was studied by comparing profiles under scald, 7 month old and 22 year old ponds, as well as under a sandy hummock and a naturally revegetated patch. The scalded soils were generally bare of vegetation, having crusted, silt loam A horizons over red, silty clay B horizons, which were saline and sodic with well developed structure. Infiltration was slow, causing rainfall to be lost by runoff and evaporation. Under recent ponds, there had been leaching of soluble salts but few other changes. Under older ponds and naturally reclaimed sites, besides leaching, the structure of the B horizon had become massive with the formation of large shrinkage cracks on drying which break open the crust. In thin section, the fabric showed more birefringent clay and there were some pore coatings of dispersed clay. These observations lead to the hypothesis that initial revegetation is a result of reduction in run-off and increased infiltration and possibly leaching of soluble salts. In the longer term, leaching causes reorganization of clay in the sodic B horizon and formation of a massive structure with shrinkage cracks which dramatically improve the infiltration rate. For waterponding to cause revegetation by this process, the soils should have a clay subsoil with shrink/swell potential and high sodicity so that restructuring takes place on leaching.

What lies beneath? The pattern and abundance of the subterranean tuber bank of the invasive liana cat's claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (Bignoniaceae).

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusegun O. Osunkoya ◽  
Karina Pyle ◽  
Tanya Scharaschkin ◽  
Kunjithapatham Dhileepan
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Tuber Traits ◽  
Standing Vegetation ◽  
Multiple Stems ◽  
Environmental Weed

Cat’s claw creeper, Macfadyena unguis-cati (L.) Gentry (Bignoniaceae) is a major environmental weed of riparian areas, rainforest communities and remnant natural vegetation in coastal Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. In densely infested areas, it smothers standing vegetation, including large trees, and causes canopy collapse. Quantitative data on the ecology of this invasive vine are generally lacking. The present study examines the underground tuber traits of M. unguis-cati and explores their links with aboveground parameters at five infested sites spanning both riparian and inland vegetation. Tubers were abundant in terms of density (~1000 per m2), although small in size and low in level of interconnectivity. M. unguis-cati also exhibits multiple stems per plant. Of all traits screened, the link between stand (stem density) and tuber density was the most significant and yielded a promising bivariate relationship for the purposes of estimation, prediction and management of what lies beneath the soil surface of a given M. unguis-cati infestation site. The study also suggests that new recruitment is primarily from seeds, not from vegetative propagation as previously thought. The results highlight the need for future biological-control efforts to focus on introducing specialist seed- and pod-feeding insects to reduce seed-output.

Effects of depth and time of sowing on emergence of Danthonia richardsonii Cashmore and Danthonia linkii Kunth

1993 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1311 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge ◽  
AJ Schipp
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Sand Mixture ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Seed Field ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Soil Temperatures

Two experiments examined the effects of sowing time and depth (surface and 10, 25, 50 mm) on emergence of Danthonia richardsonii Cashmore and Danthonia linkii Kunth. Experiment 1 was conducted from January to December 1990 on a loam/sand mixture in boxes. Emergence was highest in both species for seeds sown onto the soil surface in summer and autumn (P < 0.05). Sowing at any depth at any time of the year, or surface sowing in winter and spring, markedly reduced emergence. Experiment 2 was conducted in the field at Tamworth, northern New South Wales from September 1991 to August 1992, on a red brown earth and a black earth. This study confirmed that emergence in both species was highest from surface sown seed. Field emergence was lowest in winter, but in contrast to experiment 1, it was higher in spring, particularly on the black earth. Seedling emergence appeared to be related to mean maximum temperature, decreasing in winter as it declined below 20�C, and increasing in spring when it was greater than 23�C. Differences in seed weight were reflected in emergence of D. richardsonii and D. linkii in experiment 1. Similar emergence was recorded for the loamlsand mixture and sand, indicating that there was little effect of texture. Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirosa surface sown in December had lower emergence ( P < 0.05) than both Danthonia spp., but emergence of this larger seeded cultivar was higher at depths of 10 and 25 mm. Laboratory studies to determine reasons for the low emergence of D. richardsonii and D. linkii from depth, indicated that neither had an obligate light requirement for germination. Depth, however, reduced germination (P < 0.05) compared with surface sowing of seed. Seedlings at depth also were observed to have slower rates of shoot and root elongation. In the field, the most successful establishments of D. richardsonii and D. linkii seedlings are likely to occur from surface sowings in April and May. Sowing in spring may also be possible if mean maximum soil temperatures exceed 23�C, and seedlings can establish before the onset of hot, dry conditions in summer.

Phosphorus nutrition of beef cattle. 1. Effect of supplementation on liveweight of steers and digestibilty of diet.

1972 ◽  
Vol 12 (58) ◽  
pp. 455 ◽  
Author(s):  
RDH Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Matter Energy

The effect of phosphorus supplementation on liveweight and digestibility of dietary components was studied in two experiments with beef steers at Grafton, New South Wales. In one experiment, three groups of 15 steers grazed a pasture that was deficient in phosphorus and nitrogen throughout the year and received a supplement of 0, 35, or 70 g phosphorus each week for twelve months. The phosphorus supplements had no effect on liveweight. In a second experiment, five pairs of steers were individually fed a phosphorus deficient diet to which urea, molasses, and minerals were added. The steers received a daily supplement of either 0, 2, 4, G, or 8 g phosphorus. The supplements had no effect on liveweight or apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy, or nitrogen. The apparent digestibility of phosphorus increased with supplementation up to 4 g a day (P<0.001) but there was no further increase at the higher rates. The apparent retention of phosphorus increased with each increment of phosphorus (P<0.01). It is concluded that supplements of phosphorus will not improve liveweight performance when beef cattle graze natural pasture of such low quality as that frequently found in north-eastern New South Wales.

The effects of grazing and season on the stability of Chloris Spp. (Windmill grasses) in natural pasture at Trangie, New South Wales.

1978 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 106 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Michalk ◽  
PK Herbert
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Mean Diameter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study of the density and basal diameter of Chloris acicularis Lindl. (syn. Enteropogon acicularis (LindlJLazar. - curly windmill grass) and C. truncata R. Br. (windmill grass) was made at two stocking rates over a period of eight years. The propor- tion of ground covered by these Chloris species varied widely with season, and to a lesser extent with grazing pressure. The density of both species increased in good seasons, while the mean diameter decreased because of the number of new seedlings. Although C. truncata seedlings were more numerous in good seasons, they did not survive as well as did C. acicularis seedlings during prolonged dry periods.

Geographic variation in the snail Velacumantus (Gastropoda : Potamididae)

1967 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
WH Ewers
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Swan River ◽  
Morph Frequency ◽  
Lake Illawarra

A morph-frequency cline and a size cline are described for the snail Velacumantus australis. The frequency of a white-banded form decreases clinally with latitude South. Living populations from Queensland and northern New South Wales have frequencies between 7 and 18% whereas all populations from southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria, except those from Lake Illawarra, have frequencies between 2 and 5%. The frequency in Port Phillip Bay is less than 0.1%. The frequency in a sample from Swan River, Western Australia, was 9.1% about the same as in samples from localities of the same latitude on the eastern coast of Australia. The frequency in most fossil samples was similar to that in nearby living populations. The mean length of populations from the eastern states increases clinally with increase in latitude South, although there are some irregular fluctuations between adjacent populations which are probably influenced by population density.

Some investigations into soil and vegetation relationships associated with alkaline-saline soil surfaces in the Walcha area, Northern Tablelands, New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
KH Kreeb ◽  
RDB Whalley ◽  
JL Charley
Keyword(s):  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Tree Planting ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Alkali Cations ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Wide Range

The characteristics of the soil, vegetation and groundwater at a dryland salinity site on Miramoona, a property near Walcha on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, were investigated. Soil parameters measured at 23 points along a 200 m transect were highly correlated with the pattern of vegetation. Of overriding significance was soil pH, which varied from a high of over 10 on bare areas delineated by Critesion marinum and Cynodon dactylon to a low of less than 5 on grazing land supporting the growth of a wide range of pasture species. The bare areas were characterized by alkalinity. While they were sodic at all depths measured, they were only marginally saline and then only at the soil surface. The chemical composition of the groundwater collected from three piezometer tubes varied quite markedly over the site. It is hypothesized that the presence of alkaline bare areas on the Northern Tablelands is not a new problem, but rather the natural result of alternating wet and dry periods which have induced accumulation of carbonates and bicarbonates of the alkali cations, notably sodium. Drainage of the original perched swamps by the early landholders, tree clearing and the grazing of domestic livestock would have accelerated the process since European settlement. However, tree planting would appear unlikely to have any impact on the reclamation process in the short term. A more viable option would be the recreation of the original swamps in suitable situations, although this solution would create problems for grazing management.

Comparative responses of Lolium perenne and Bothriochloa macra to temperature, moisture, fertility and defoliation

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 769 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Cook ◽  
A Lazenby ◽  
GJ Blair
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
New South ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Moisture Conditions

Lolium perenne and Bothtriochloa macra were grown alone and In 1/1 mixtures In pot culture under molsture stress and moisture non-limiting conditions at both high and low levels of fertility, they were grown In three controlled environment cabinets operating at either 16/10°, 23/17° or 31/25°C, and defoliated to either 1 cm or 4 cm from the crown at each of two harvests.Temperature was the dormant factor differentiating the growth and competitive ability of both species Lolium grew best In the 16/10° and 23/17°C temperature regimes, production declining at 31/25° In contrast, Bothriochloa made very little growth a1 16/10° and responded linearly to measuring temperature. Both species responded similarly to increasing fertility and favourable moisture conditions, although such treatments had no effect on Bothriocochloa in the 16/10°C temperature regime Bothtriochloa was more tolerant of low fertility and moisture stress than was Loliurn, especially at 31/25° Lolium yielded more, and competed successfully with Bothtriochloa, only under conditions of high fertility and In the absence of moisture stress at temperatures up to 23/17°C Defoliation intensity had little effect on the total dry matter yields of either species, although it did influence the proportion of leaf to head and stem of Bothtriochloa. The likely implications of the results on the competitive relationships of the two species In the field In the Northern Tablelands environment of New South Wales are discussed

scholarly journals The fossil human skull found at Talgai, Queensland

1918 ◽  
Vol 208 (348-359) ◽  
pp. 351-387 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Human Skull ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The University ◽  
The Town ◽  
Heavy Rains ◽  
Brown Clay

Situated in the Darling Downs of Southern Queensland, in the vicinity of the town of Warwick, are a series of alluvial flats, watered by the tributary creeks of the Condamine River, which is itself a branch of the Darling. One of these creeks, the Dalrymple, winds a tortuous course through the black-soil country, a few miles north of Warwick, and traverses Talgai Station. In the year 1884, after exceptionally heavy rains, the creek came down in strong flood and overflowed the flats to a width of over half a mile. When the floods subsided, it was found that an old water course or “billabong” had been washed out, leaving a channel about ten feet in depth. A fencer who was at work at Talgai at this time, while traversing this freshly washed-out channel, had his attention arrested by what seemed to he a curiously shaped stone in the side of the cut, lying embedded by itself, not at the bottom, but about three feet up the side. It was firmly fixed in the clay, and in dislodging it he formed the opinion that it had not been recently disturbed. When he had freed it, perceiving that it was a skull, he took it to the proprietor of Talgai Station, from whose son it passed into the possession of Mr. E. A. Crawford, of Greenethorpe, New South Wales. This gentleman, in May, 1914, submitted a photograph of it to Prof. Edgeworth David, F. B. S., Professor of Geology in the University of Sydney, who showed it to Prof. J. T. Wilson, F. R. S. He, immediately perceiving the possibilities, expressed a strong desire to have the specimen itself forwarded to Sydney. This having been done, the preliminary investigations were immediately commenced by Profs. David and Wilson, and the results communicated to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Sydney, in August, 1914(1). Shortly after this, Prof. David made a journey to the site of the discovery. He was fortunate enough to find the original discoverer, who, though a very old man, retained a clear recollection of the circumstances of the find. He visited the locality, and, with a memory still clear as to the local conditions, pointed out to Prof. David, to within a few yards, the spot in the gully where the skull was unearthed. His account of the discovery was as just related, and he was able to identify the formation of red-brown clay, interspersed with nodular concretions of carbonate of lime, as identical with that from the upper portion of which the skull was originally removed.

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