Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > SR > SR07162
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 46(3)

Effects of crop and pasture rotations and surface cover on rainfall infiltration on a Kandosol in south-west Queensland

G. A. Thomas A B , D. N. Orange A and A. J. King A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, Natural Resource Sciences, South West Region, PO Box 318, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: gregory.thomas@nrw.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 46(3) 203-209 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR07162
Submitted: 17 October 2007  Accepted: 11 March 2008   Published: 1 May 2008

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on a Kandosol in south-west Queensland from 2001 to 2005 to determine the effects of fallow management practices and crop and pasture rotations on soil properties and crop production. In April 2004, infiltration measurements were made using a rainfall simulator at the end of a 6-month fallow period following harvest of crop phases (wheat under reduced tillage and zero tillage, chickpea under zero tillage) and following termination of pasture phases (2-year legume and grass + legume leys) with herbicide application and zero tillage during the fallow period. Measurements were made at 3 surface cover levels in each treatment: (i) where crop or pasture dry matter was cut at ground level and removed to approximate 0% cover, (ii) at existing cover percentage, and (iii) where wheat straw was added to give 100% cover. In a separate study to monitor water infiltration, the movement of bromide applied to the soil surface in November 2003 was monitored in the soil profile to 1.5 m soil depth in April 2004 and February 2005.

Mean cumulative infiltration after 100 mm rainfall over 1 h was 35, 42, and 69 mm (l.s.d. P = 0.05, 6) with 0%, existing, and 100% cover, respectively, and was greater following wheat (52 mm) than following chickpea (39 mm) under zero tillage (l.s.d. P = 0.05, 13). Short-term pasture leys did not appear to improve infiltration characteristics of the soil under the conditions of this study.

In the rainfall simulator study, mean drainage of water below 1.5 m soil depth was 8.5% of applied rainfall. In the bromide tracer study, only ~12% of the applied bromide could be accounted for in the 0–1.5 m soil depth 15 months after application. Rainfall received during this period was similar to the long-term mean amount.

Results demonstrate the importance of surface cover in increasing rainfall infiltration on this soil, thereby potentially improving soil water storage for crop and pasture production and reducing the risk of runoff and soil erosion. However, the relatively rapid movement of water and solutes through the soil profile has implications for possible adverse effects of drainage to lower parts of the landscape and for nutrient leaching below the root-zone, decreasing the availability of soil and applied nutrients to crops and pastures.


Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) for financial assistance (Western Farming Systems Project, Qld) and Mr and Mrs B. Scriven and I. Hill, ‘Mulga View’, St George, who provided land and other assistance for the field experiment. We also thank Mr J. Harvey for assistance with field operations and Dr D. M. Silburn, Mr G. W. Titmarsh, and Dr R. C. Dalal for comments on drafts of the manuscript.


References


Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001) Queensland Year Book 2001. No. 58, ABS Catalogue No. 1301.3.

Bell MJ, Bridge BJ, Harch GR, Orange DN (2005) Rapid internal drainage rates in Ferrosols. Australian Journal of Soil Research 43, 443–455.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | (verified 29 January 2008).

Cogle AL, Littleboy M, Rao KPC, Smith GD, Yule DF (1996) Soil management and production on Alfisols in the semi-arid tropics. III. Long-term effects on water conservation and production. Australian Journal of Soil Research 34, 113–125.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | (products) (verified 5 April 2008).

Rayment GE , Higginson FR (1992) ‘Australian laboratory handbook of soil and water chemical methods.’ (Inkata Press: Melbourne, Vic.)

Robinson B , Freebairn D , Tolmie P , McClymont D (2004) How much deep drainage occurs in the western cropping belt of southern Queensland? In ‘Western Farming Systems – Qld Results Booklet 2004’. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Information Series QI04040. (Ed. L Page) pp. 47–49. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: Brisbane, Qld)

Snedecor GW , Cochran WG (1967) ‘Statistical methods.’ 6th edn (Iowa State University Press: Ames, IA)

Thomas G , King T , Orange D , Dalal R , Fraser M , Christodoulou N , Singh J , Mann M (2005a) Crop and pasture rotations, ‘Dunkerry South’, Nindigully 2004. In ‘Western Farming Systems Queensland Results Book 2005’. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Information Series QI05027. pp. 22–28. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: Brisbane, Qld)

Thomas G , King T , Orange D , Dalal R , Fraser M , Christodoulou N , Singh J , Mann M (2005b) Crop and pasture rotations, ‘Mulga View’, St George – 2004. In ‘Western Farming Systems Queensland Results Book 2005’. Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Information Series QI05027. pp. 29–33. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries: Brisbane, Qld)

Thomas G , King T , Orange D , Dalal R , Weston E , Lehane J , Christodoulou N , Riddell J , Cawley S (2001) Crop and pasture rotations for red earth soil – ‘Mulga View’ trial, St George. In ‘Western Farming Systems Project Results Booklet 2001’. Queensland Department of Primary Industries Information Series QI01093. pp. 27–29. (Queensland Department of Primary Industries: Brisbane, Qld)

Thomas GA, Dalal RC, Weston EJ, Holmes CJ, King AJ, Orange DN, Lehane KJ (2007) Zero tillage and nitrogen fertiliser application in wheat and barley on a Vertosol in a marginal cropping area of south-west Queensland. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 965–975.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Weston EJ , Nason CN , Armstrong RDH (1975) Resources study and problem analysis for primary industries in the Condamine-Maranoa Basin of southern Queensland. Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Division of Plant Industry Bulletin No. 731.

Yee Yet JS , Silburn DM (2003). Deep drainage estimates under a range of land uses in the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin using water balance modelling. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Coorparoo, Queensland, QNRM03021.