Central Tablelands Research Articles

Merino ewe and lamb performance in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales following joining in March-April or June-July

A March-April joining of Merino ewes was compared with a June-July joining in central New South Wales at a low stocking rate on subterranean clover based pastures over 3 years. In all years, ewes joined in June were heavier (P < 0.05) than ewes joined in March (55 v. 52 kg). Liveweights at the start of lambing and liveweight change from joining to lambing were also high and favoured the later lambing group. The proportion of ewes lambing (97% March v. 93% June) and proportion of ewes twinning (29% March v. 20% June) were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but consistently favoured the March-April joining. Perinatal mortality was low (9.4% March v. 7.1% June) and not significantly different between the 2 groups, but was consistently lower in the June joined group. Number of lambs weaned per 100 ewes joined was also not significantly different, but was higher each year in the March joined group (1 13% March v. 105% June). The growth rate of the lambs (both singles [24% greater, 248 v. 200 g/day] and twins [37% greater, 2 13 v. 155 g/day]) was consistently in favour of March joined ewes. Mean greasy fleece weights of the ewes were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but were in favour of the late joined group (4.83 v. 4.50 kg). Time of joining significantly affected liveweights and greasy and clean fleece weights of the progeny at the shearing in the year following their birth in favour of March joining. These data suggest that, despite a nutritional advantage to the ewes in late pregnancy and milder weather at lambing with a June-July joining, a March- April joining is the preferred option on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales.

Anthelmintic resistance in Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus populations in sheep in the central tablelands of New South Wales.

Anthelmintic resistance in Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus populations in sheep in the central tablelands of New South Wales.

The prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes on the central tablelands of New South Wales

A survey was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematode populations on 40 commercial farms distributed throughout the central tablelands of New South Wales. Representatives of the 2 major groups of broad spectrum anthelmintics with different modes of action (thiabendazole and levamisole) were used at the manufacturer's recommended dose rates. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of the reduction in faecal strongyle egg counts 7 days after treatment. An efficacy of less than 90% using both anthelmintics was obtained on 4 farms. Thiabendazole had an efficacy of less than 90% on a further 21 farms and levamisole had an efficacy of less than 90% on an additional 4 farms. There was no evidence of anthelmintic resistance on 8 farms, while the remaining 3 had insignificant parasite burdens. Based on larval cultures from faeces, Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus were the most significant species in resistant populations. Haemonchus burdens were sporadic and levels of resistance relatively low. Nematodirus burdens were widespread but no evidence of resistance was detected.

Establishment of radiata pine on a high altitude second rotation site II. Effect of site preparation on early survival and growth II. Effect of site preparation on early survival and growth

Summary In an experiment carried out on a high altitude second rotation site in the central tablelands of New South Wales, the removal of litter and logging slash by raking or burning resulted in increased soil temperatures and reduced frost intensity compared to sites where this material was left as a surface mulch. Radiata pine seedlings planted on raked or burnt sites survived better in the first two years than those planted into a mulch of litter and logging slash. It is suggested that this better survival is due to higher soil temperatures in the spring after planting and a less severe frost climate. Pines on raked sites do not appear to be growing as well as those where litter and slash were burnt. This may be due to the greater loss of nutrients in litter and topsoil from raked sites. A suggested site preparation technique for these high altitude sites would be the rough stacking of large woody debris to allow access, followed by line cultivation through the remaining litter to expose bare mineral soil. The pine seedlings could then be planted into these lines of bare soil. This approach would retain a high proportion of the nutrients in the litter and topsoil on site, where they may be of value to future growth, while ameliorating the soil and frost microclimate in the establishment period.

Temporal variation in the results of soil phosphate analyses

Soil phosphate (P) values were determined for 49 improved pasture sites on 11 occasions over a 3-year period. Each sample was taken from under an improved pasture on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales and analysed using the Bray No. 1 and Colwell (modified Olsen) tests. Variations in soil P values between samplings over time were significant (P<0.05). For individual sites, the 95% confidence limit, as a percentage of the mean, averaged � 19% for Bray P values and � 13% for Colwell P values. The pattern of variation in P values over time was not significantly (P<0.05) affected by soil P level, soil type or soil test. Variation in P values over time with both tests was significantly (P<0.05) correlated with a general estimate of soil moisture and thermal index for the sampling month. Both Colwell P and Bray P values showed negative correlations with increasing soil moisture or increasing thermal index. The correlation between Colwell P and Bray P values on any one soil type was not reliable enough to allow prediction of one soil-test P value from the other.

Effects of waterlogging and subsequent drainage of a pasture soil on phosphate sorption, extractable phosphate and oxalate-extractable iron

Undisturbed cores of a pasture soil from the central tablelands of New South Wales were waterlogged for periods varying from 4 to 42 days and then drained to simulate seasonal waterlogging. Phosphate sorption, Bray 1 extractable phosphate and oxalate-extractable iron levels were measured before watering, at the end of waterlogging and up to 90 days after draining. Increasing the duration of waterlogging increased the logarithms of phosphate sorption and Bray 1 extractable phosphate linearly, but the response equation of log oxalate iron was significantly quadratic. When drained, all three levels fell, but the positive sorption response to waterlogging remained 90 days after draining. These results are consistent with those from previous studies that found phosphate solubility to be associated with the reduction of iron during waterlogging and its subsequent oxidation on drying. The agronomic implication of the findings for superphosphate topdressing of seasonally waterlogged soils is discussed.

Establishment of radiata pine on a high altitude second rotation site

Summary After clearfeliing and removal of sawlogs and waste wood from a 33-year-old crop of radiata pine, a site on the central tablelands of New South Wales contained an estimated 222 kg ha ' of nitrogen in above-ground litter and logging slash, and 8746 kg ha−1 in the soil. Broadcast burning of the litter and slash removed 139 kg ha−1 of nitrogen, but had no measurable effect on the organic matter content of the soil. Hand raking removed 212 kg ha−1 of nitrogen from the litter and slash, as well as approximately 1 cm of topsoil, containing at least 124 kg ha−1 nitrogen. It was concluded that on this site the commonly used technique of windrow raking of logging slash and litter before replanting was likely to have a greater effect on site nutrient capital than broadcast burning. Neither practice had an appreciable impact on total site reserves of nitrogen, since very large quantities are contained in the mineral soil. However, since little is known of the availability of these soil reserves to the replan...

Boron supplying power, boron adsorption capacity and productivity of some acidic soils from the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

The reliability of the hot-water soluble boron (HWSB) content of a soil as a measure of total boron available to plants during intensive cropping, and its relationship with the boron-supplying power (BSP) of the soil, as affected by the soil's parent material, was studied in a glasshouse trial. Fifteen surface soils (0- 15 cm) from six parent materials from the Central Tablelands of New South Wales were used. In each pot of soil, three crops were planted in succession: sunflower (Helianthus annuus cv. Hysun 3 I), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cv. Woogenellup), and maize (Zea mays cv. XL45). Lime and borax were applied in a 2x2 factorial combination. Crop responses to these applications, their relationship with soil BSP and HWSB content, and soil boron adsorption capacity (BAC) when borax was added were also investigated. In soils not treated with borax or lime, the following were significantly correlated (r > 0.51): crop yield, crop uptake of boron, HWSB content before cropping, and BSP. However, BSP was not correlated with the amount of HWSB lost from the soil during cropping. In sandstone, granitic and quartz-rich fine sedimentary soils, the amount of boron taken up by the crops was not significantly different from the amount of HWSB removed from the soil. Therefore, their BSP (0, 74 and 145 g B/ha respectively) was not significantly greater than zero and thus their HWSB content simply and reliably measures their boron status. From crop responses in granitic and quartz-rich fine sedimentary soils (HWSB content 0.26 and 0.30 �g B/g of air dried soil, respectively) it was shown that these soils require boron supplementation whenever their HWSB content is less than about 0.34 �g B/g air dried soil, particularly if they are cropped intensively or heavily limed. The BSP of tuff, basaltic and alluvial soils (388, 407 and 620 g B/ha) was significantly greater than zero. Therefore, these soils have boron reserves not measured by the HWSB method and their HWSB content does not reliably measure boron available for crops. All soils adsorbed boron when borax was applied. The BAC did not differ significantly between the six soil types. The overall effect of lime was to significantly increase dry matter yield. Boron uptake by the crops, and soil BSP and BAC were not significantly affected by liming.

Effect of parent material, natural available soil boron, and applied boron and lime on the growth and chemical composition of lucerne on some acidic soils of the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

Fifteen acidic soils (0-1 5 cm), three from each of the five main parent materials in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, were collected for a glasshouse experiment. The hot water soluble boron content of these soils and some other related soil properties were measured. Boron at nil and 1.5 �g/g air-dried soil and lime at nil and 670 �g/g air-dried soil in a factorial combination were applied to the soils. The effects of the treatments on the performance of lucerne (Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River) grown on these soils were studied. Boron application tended to increase the production of lucerne dry matter on sandstone, shale and slate, and granitic soils, but not on basaltic or alluvial soils. Also, it increased the boron concentration in the leaves of lucerne grown in all soils and consequently, reduced the calcium to boron ratio. The boron levels that produced 90% of the maximum yield and below which boron deficiency symptoms were manifested by the plants, were 0.34 �g/g in air-dried soil and 25 �g/g in oven-dried leaves. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.98) between the hot water soluble boron content of the untreated soils and the boron concentration in the leaves. The hot water soluble boron content of the soils derived from sandstone, shale and slate, and granite was much lower than the basaltic or alluvial soils and were nearly equal to or below the determined critical level. Although liming had the tendency to induce the symptoms of boron deficiency, the effect of lime was greater than boron in increasing the yield. The role of lime in eliminating the problems of these acidic soils and hence promoting the yield of lucerne is discussed.

English

Wilson, K. L. (National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, Australia 2000) 1980. Notes on some Australian species of Cyperaceae. Telopea 1 (6): 457-467, Pl. XXVI-XXVII.-The following new species are described: Baumea johnsonii, Bulbostylis burbidgeae, Cyperus portae-tartari and C. viscidulus. Gahnia australis (Nees) K. L. Wilson and G. drummondij (Steud.) K. L. Wilson are published as new combinations and a key provided to Gahnia section Microstachyae. Cyperus lhotskyanus Boeck. is reinstated, and Lepidosperma exsul C. B. Clarke is relegated to synonymy under Tricostularia neesii Lehm. Cyperus compactus Retz. is recorded as new for Australia. A key is provided to the Australian species of Bulbostylis, and B. eustachii J. M. Black ex C. M. Eardley is synonymized under B. barbata (Rottb.) C. B. Clarke. INTRODUCTION Recent collecting in Australia, particularly in the more remote northern areas, has provided material of new species and of little-known species of Cyperaceae. In this paper, four new species are described and the synonymies of various other species are discussed. Since recent revisions exist for all but one of the genera dealt with here (Bulbostylis being the exception), discussion is brief. Of the revised genera, Kiikenthal published revisions of Cyperus (1935-36), of Lepidosperma (1941 a & b), of Baumea (1942) as a subgenus of Cladium, of Gahnia (1943) and of Tricostularia (1944). Gahnia had previously been revised by Benl (1940). The work reported in this paper was begun at the National Herbarium of New South Wales and was completed after visits in 1977 to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to the British Museum (Natural History), to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, and to the Laboratoire de Phanerogamie, Paris. Unless otherwise indicated, all specimens cited have been seen by the author. BAUMEA Gaudich. Baumea has been variously regarded as a subgenus of Cladium (Kiikenthal, 1942), as a synonym of Machaerina (Kern, 1974; Vanhecke, 1974) and as a separate genus (Blake, 1969; Raynal, 1972). I am following Blake and Raynal in retaining Baumea as a separate genus. Baumea johnsonii K. L. Wilson, sp. nov. habitu et inflorescentia B. gunnii (Hook. f.) S. T. Blake et affinibus similis et nullo dubio his speciebus proxima, praecipue culmis foliisque scabridis differt. ROLOTYPE: NEW SOUTH WALES: Central Tablelands: Govetts Leap, Blackheath, E. F. Constable 5576A, 10.xii.1964 (NSW). ISOTYPES: BRI, CANB, CRR, K, P. Caespitose perennial. Culms erect, more or less terete to biconvex, scabrous, without nodes, 15-60 cm tall, 1-2 mm diam. Leaves basal, equitant, flattened above, to 150 cm tall, 2-3 mm wide, somewhat softto tough-textured, scabrous, shorter than to greatly exceeding culm and inflorescence; sheaths reddish; lowest leaves reduced to sheaths. Inflorescence-bracts reddish, flat, much shorter than lowest branch of inflorescence. Inflorescence paniculiform, (10-) 15-55 cm long, with (10-) 20-35 spikelets; branches slender, somewhat arching, sulcate, ± scabrous; rhachis elongated between lowest and upper branches, sulcate, scabrous, (5-) 10-38 cm long. Spikelets 6-8 mm long, solitary, with 1 fertile flower, glumes Volume 1(6): 457–467 Publication Date: March 1980 dx.doi.org/10.7751/telopea19803607 TELOPEA Journal of Plant Systematics Til. Ro)'al BOTANIC GARDENS 6 DOPII(liPi Tmst plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Telopea • escholarship.usyd.edu.au/journals/index.php/TEL· ISSN 0312-9764 (Print) • ISSN 2200-4025 (Online)

Programmed year-round sheep breeding

A program of controlled year-round sheep breeding, designed to provide batch lambing every 2 months, was evaluated on a private property in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, over a 16-month mating period commencing in October 1977. It was preceded by a preliminary test designed to evaluate the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) in conjunction with intravaginal progestagen sponges in the breeding season, and the importance of mating strategy. A flock of 140 Border Leicester x Merino ewes-of which 132 survived to the end of the test (mean 136)-and 6 Poll Dorset rams were used. Mating, pregnancy diagnosis and lambing were scheduled in advance using synchronization and induction of oestrus with intravaginal (i/v) progestagen sponges and PMSG (400 or 600 i.u.), pregnancy diagnosis based on plasma progesterone assay at 18 days after mating, and induction of parturition with either dexamethazone (DM ; 16 mg) or oestradiol benzoate (ODB; 20 mg). Treatment of a batch of ewes commenced every 60 days, and ewes diagnosed non-pregnant from the previous batch were included. Synchronized oestrus was induced 90 days after lambing, immediately after which lambs were weaned. There were eight lambing batches involving 365 treatments, which resulted in 219 lambings (60%) and 346 lambs, of which 321 survived to 72 hours, an average of 27 lambings and 40 viable lambs/2 months. The annual production rate was 176 viable lambs per 100 ewes.

Replacing a nitrophilous weed association with Phalaris aquatica and Medicago sativa on non-arable land

In an experiment (1974 to 1978) carried out on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, the effects of nine herbicide treatments, two intervals between spraying and sowing, and sowing in late autumn, on the ability of Medicago sativa, Phalaris aquatica and Vicia dasycarpa to establish, develop and replace a nitrophilous weed association (broadleafed plants, annual grasses and native perennial grasses) were measured. Herbicide treatment of the resident species was necessary for the establishment and development of M. sativa and P. aquatica but not for the establishment of V. dasycarpa. Successful treatments were: 2,2-DPA + amitrole, 2,2-DPA + 2,4-D, paraquat + diquat and glyphosate. Intervals of 7 and 28 days between spraying and sowing had no differential effect on establishment. Sowing in late autumn resulted in successful establishment of all species. Over four years the percentage ground cover of sown species on the herbicide treatments increased from 0% in early 1974 to 49% in late 1978; the control treatment rose from 0% to 12%. The percentage ground cover of the nitrophilous weed association on the herbicide treatments decreased from 76% in 1974 to 27% in 1978; the control fell from 76% to 68%. The experiment demonstrated that a nitrophilous weed association can be replaced with perennial pasture species on non-arable land on the Central Tablelands by using aerial techniques. Further research is needed to determine the optimum time of spraying and sowing.

Phytophthora Cinnamomi Rands in Proposed Softwood Plantation Areas on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales.

Phytophthora Cinnamomi Rands in Proposed Softwood Plantation Areas on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF AMBLYSEIUS BERLESE FROM AUSTRALIA (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE)

Females and males of Amblyseius thwaitei sp. n. from Ulmus glabra Huds. in the central tablelands of New South Wales and of Amblyseius bayviewensis sp. n. from Syncarpia glomulifera (Sm.) Niedenzu are described and figured. The two new species were found in association with phytophagous mites on the undersides of leaves. They resemble each other closely and are best compared with A. bellinus Womersley.

An Integrated Approach to Farm Management Education

Farm management lies well to the vocational end of the theoretical-vocational spectrum of tertiary courses in agricultural economics. Students and potential employers generally expect courses in farm management to contain some exposure to realistic management situations. However, as French has emphasized, it is rather than exposure to the real world per se that is required. Furthermore, the application of farm management procedures and methods of pseudo real world situations may achieve relevance at the cost of education. If farm management instruction is to improve the allocative ability (Huffman, p. 96) of the students who participate in these courses, then the emphasis must be on concepts rather than on the mechanical use of tools (Boehlje, Eidman, and Walker, p. 196). The aim of this paper is to describe an approach to teaching farm management that emphasizes self-discovery and relevance. Our technique takes maximum advantage of the motivation and involvement created by a complex, computerized management simulation known as the Central Tablelands Farm Management Game (CTFMG).' Our purpose is to show by example how a computer simulation exercise can be integrated with other traditional and nontraditional teaching techniques in an effort to achieve specific educational goals. Effective teaching requires a flexible instructor who employs multiple teaching techniques which then create an environment where takes place both inside and outside the (Kendrick, p. 766). By basing the course on a realistic management simulation, we aim to create a classroom environment in which the student learns to recognize management problems and then actually reaches out analytical procedures to help meet the challenges posed by these problems. We view all components of the course as tools for assisting decision making, and we try to introduce each new tool at the time when it will have a maximum impact upon the student. Such timing is based upon consideration of student need (for the management tool) and upon the student's level of prior knowledge. Each tool is evaluated by students in an instructor-led group discussion after the initial usage and then periodically throughout the course in the light of new knowledge that may alter opinions. Teaching and are frequently confused in higher education. . . . One can observe in any classroom that teaching can proceed in the absence of learning (Kropp, p. 757). Our approach aims to place the emphasis on learning. This is facilitated by relatively small classes (less than thirty-five) and a generous course weighting in the curriculum. The only prerequisite for entry is a one semester microeconomics course. The percentage of students who will ultimately assume a managerial role is not known, but it is unlikely to exceed 20%. On the other hand, a very high percentage of recent graduates are employed in extension-research positions.

Aphid infestation and virus infection of peas and beans on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

Field Studies were made of aphid infestation, population behaviour and virus incidence on Pisum sativum, Vicia faba and Phaseolus vulgaris at Bathurst, New South Wales, from November 1969 to June 1970. The relative importance of the aphids Aphis craccivora, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Myzus persicae and Aphis gosypii as vectors of subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV) and bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) was obscured by the overwhelming incidence of A, craccivora. On the first two plantings, virus incidence exceeded 90 per cent and yields were almost nil. Virus incidence was low on peas and canning beans on the third planting. Late infection on broad beans was 82-96 per cent. BYMV incidence, negligible on the first two plantings, was 16 per cent on the third planting of broad beans. Migrating alate aphids were trapped and tested on subterranean clover; c. 10 per cent of A. craccivora carried SCSV, and about 10 per cent of M. eybhorbiae, late in the season, carried BYMV. Three species of coccinellids attacked A. craccivora but did not control aphids until plants matured. Spraying with fenitrothion reduced aphid populations in control plots but had little effect on virus incidence and greatly reduced coccinellids. Aphidiid parasites were few and had little effect on aphid populations.

The effect of sulphur fertilization on the field and chemical composition of forage oats on the Central Tablelands of NSW

Sulphur fertilizers increased the dry matter yield of autumn-sown, high density oats (Avena sativa CV. Algerian) adequately supplied with nitrogen fertilizer, grown on previously unfertilized basaltic and granitic soils of the Central Tablelands of New South Wales. Chemical analyses showed that, under the conditions of these experiments, sulphur was insufficient for plant growth when the immature oats herbage had a sulphate S content less than 0.04 per cent, a total S content of less than 0.10 per cent, and an N : S ratio (Kjeldahl N:total S) in the range of 20 to 50. Ethanol soluble nitrogen was found to be an unsuitable index of sulphur status because of its dependence on plant nitrogen content. Gypsum was superior to elemental sulphur as a carrier during the winter period, when both were applied in a fine form (97 per cent <100 mesh), and KH2PO4 extractable soil sulphate was found to be a useful indicator of soil sulphur status.

Effect of seeding rate and nitrogen fertilizer on production of autumn sown rape (Brassica napus) on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

Two factorial field experiments, comparing the effects of a range of seeding rates and levels of nitrogen fertilizer on the winter and early spring yield of rape (Brassica napus CV. Dwarf Essex) sown in early autumn, were conducted in two successive years near Orange (33.2�S, 149.1�E), New South Wales. Average annual rainfall is 34 inches and winter mean temperatures range from 42-45�F. Seeding rates of from 9 to 15 lb an acre and nitrogen fertilizer at 80 lb N an acre at seeding gave near optimum winter and early spring yields. This combination gave a three-fold increase in yield over sowings at 3 lb an acre without nitrogen fertilizer. The responses to seeding rate and nitrogen were independent in winter, but these factors interacted to affect yield in early spring. The dry matter content of rape varied between 11.5 and 19.3 per cent and was generally unaffected by seeding rate, but tended to decrease slightly with increased nitrogen level. Nitrogen percentage, which fluctuated between 2.18 and 3.61, was little affected by increased seeding rate and generally showed a small increase with increasing levels of applied nitrogen.

The effect of Alar on vegetative growth and fruiting behaviour of three varieties of apples in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales

Trials were conducted in three successive years to test the response of Granny Smith, Jonathan, and Delicious apple varieties to Alar (succinic acid 2, 2-dimethyl hydrazide) applied at various times and concentrations. The results confirmed overseas reports of reduced shoot growth, increased fruit set, reduced fruit size, reduced pre-harvest drop, and, in some cases, increased blossoming the following spring. The Jonathan variety was less responsive to the growth retardant than Delicious, which was, in turn, less responsive than Granny Smith.

The influence of seasonal pasture production and grazing management on seasonal wool growth

The wool growth by Merino ewes grazed on sown annual pastures and by Merino weaners grazed on sown perennial pastures was measured at six-weekly intervals for three years. The ewes were from four groups with different grazing treatments and the weaners were from two grazing treatments. Wool was clipped from tattooed mid-side areas and the weight of clean, oven-dry wool in each sample was determined and staple length and fibre diameter measured. In all pears and in all groups of sheep there were seasonal fluctuations in weight, length, and fibre diameter of the wool. Growth was rapid during autumn and late spring but retarded during winter and summer. With few exceptions the summer and winter minima were not significantly different. The exceptions were mainly due to the summer minimum for a group being less than the winter minimum for the same group ; only in two cases was the summer minimum significantly greater than the winter minimum, and in both of these there was drought during the autumn and winter. The results, obtained at Canberra, A.C.T., are considered representative of the southern and central tablelands of New South Wales.