Soil water extraction and biomass production by lucerne in the south of Western Australia
P. J. Dolling A B E , R. A. Latta C , P. R. Ward A , M. J. Robertson D and S. Asseng AA CSIRO Plant Industry, PO Box 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.
B Department of Agriculture Western Australia, 10 Dore St, Katanning, WA 6317, Australia (present address for corresponding author).
C Department of Primary Industry, Walpeup, Vic 3507, Australia.
D CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: pdolling@agric.wa.gov.au
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56(4) 389-404 https://doi.org/10.1071/AR04158
Submitted: 2 July 2004 Accepted: 27 January 2005 Published: 26 April 2005
Abstract
To understand the factors involved in lucerne reducing drainage below the root-zone and influencing lucerne biomass production and water extraction were analysed in the south of Western Australia. The lucerne was grown for 3 years before removal. The factors investigated as part of the water extraction analysis included the rate of advance of the extraction front or extraction front velocity (EFV, mm/day), the soil plant-available water-holding capacity (PAWC, mm/m soil), and the temporal change in soil water deficit (drainage buffer, mm). The drainage buffer is related to the EFV and PAWC.
A site with deep sand had the highest EFV (mean of 9.2 mm/day) but the lowest PAWC (mean of 32 mm/m soil) to a depth of 4 m. In the duplex soils the EFV was 18–34% of the deep sand EFV and the PAWC was 60–222% higher than the deep sand PAWC to a depth of 1.6–2.1 m. The EFV was reduced by the higher clay content and sodicity in the B horizon of the duplex soils. The highest drainage buffer measurements occurred in the deep sand site and the better structured duplex soils and therefore these soils will have the greater effect on reducing drainage below the root-zone. However, lucerne was able to create a drainage buffer to at least a depth of 1.5 m over 3 years and therefore contribute to a reduced drainage even on the most sodic and saline sites. Low soil pH did not affect the drainage buffer as much as soil texture and structure.
Variation in biomass production of lucerne-based pastures was positively related to rainfall and water use (taking into account soil water storage and drainage losses) across sites, explaining approximately 50% of the biomass variation. Rainfall and water use could therefore be used for predicting lucerne biomass production in Western Australia. Biomass water use efficiency was highest in spring (15 kg/ha.mm) and least during autumn (4.5 kg/ha.mm).
Acknowledgments
We thank Krystyna Haq, Student Services, University of Western Australia, and Geoff Moore, Department of Agriculture, for their comments on an earlier draft. The Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture Western Australia, and the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity provided support for this project.
ACL (1995).
Anderson GC,
Fillery IRP,
Dolling PJ, Asseng S
(1998a) Nitrogen and water flows under pasture–wheat and lupin–wheat rotations in deep sands in Western Australia. 1. Nitrogen fixation in legumes, net N Mineralisation, and utilisation of soil-derived nitrogen. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 329–343.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Anderson GC,
Fillery IRP,
Dunin FX,
Dolling PJ, Asseng S
(1998b) Nitrogen and water flows under pasture–wheat and lupin–wheat rotations in deep sands in Western Australia. 2. Drainage and nitrate leaching. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 49, 345–361.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Asseng S,
Fillery IRP,
Dunin FX,
Keating BA, Meinke H
(2001) Potential deep drainage under wheat crops in a Mediterranean climate. I. Temporal and spatial variability. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 45–56.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cocks PS
(2001) Ecology of herbaceous perennial legumes: a review of characteristics that may provide management options for the control of salinity and waterlogging in dryland cropping systems. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 137–151.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dalgliesh NP, Tolmie PE, Probert ME, Robertson MJ, Brennan L , et al.
(2001) Incorporating lucerne leys into cropping systems on the clay soils of the Darling Downs. ‘10th Australian Agronomy Conference’. Hobart, Tas. (Australian Society of Agronomy: Hobart, Tas.)
Dardanelli JL,
Bachmeier OA,
Sereno R, Gil R
(1997) Rooting depth and soil water extraction patterns of different crops in a silty loam Haplustoll. Field Crops Research 54, 29–38.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dolling, P ,
Moody, P ,
Noble, A ,
Helyar, K ,
Hughes, B ,
Reuter, D ,
and
Sprarrow, L (2001).
Dolling PJ,
Fillery IRP,
Ward PR,
Asseng S, Robertson MJ
(in press) Consequences of rainfall during summer–autumn fallow on available soil water and subsequent drainage in annual based cropping systems. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ,
Dougan WK, Wilson AL
(1974) The absorptiometric determination of aluminium in water. A comparison of some chromogenic reagents and the development of an improved method. Analyst 99, 413–430.
| PubMed |
Dunin FX,
Smith CJ,
Zegelin SJ,
Leuning R,
Denmead OT, Poss R
(2001) Water balance changes in a crop sequence with lucerne. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 247–261.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edwards N
(1998) Magnesium. ‘Soil guide. a handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. Bulletin No. 4343. ,(Ed. G Moore)
p. 207. (Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Esechie HA,
Al Barhi B,
Al Gheity S, Al Khanjari S
(2002) Root and shoot growth in salinity-stressed alfalfa in response to nitrogen source. Journal of Plant Nutrition 25, 2559–2569.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fenton G, Helyar KR
(2000) Soil acidification. ‘Soils: their properties and management’. (Eds PEV Charman, BW Murphy)
pp. 223–237. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne, Vic.)
Fick GW, Holt DA, Lugg DG
(1988) Environmental physiology and crop growth. ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. (Eds AA Hanson, DK Barnes, RR Hill)
pp. 163–191. (ASA/CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI)
Frame, J ,
Charlton, JFL ,
and
Laidlaw, AS (1998).
Genstat Committee (1993).
George PR, Wren BA
(1985) Crop tolerance to soil salinity. Publication Technote 6/85. Department of Agriculture, Perth, W. Aust.
George R,
McFarlane D, Nulsen B
(1997) Salinity threatens the viability of agriculture and ecosystems in Western Australia. Hydrogeology Journal 5, 6–21.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hatton TJ, Nulsen RA
(1999) Towards achieving functional ecosystem mimicry with respect to water cycling in southern Australian agriculture. Agroforestry Systems 45, 203–214.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Heichel GH, Delaney RH, Cralle HT
(1988) Carbon assimilation, partitioning, and utilization. ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. (Eds AA Hanson, DK Barnes, RR Hill)
pp. 195–228. (ASA/CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI)
Hirth JR,
Haines PJ,
Ridley AM, Wilson KF
(2001) Lucerne in crop rotations on the Riverine Plains. 2. Biomass and grain yields, water use efficiency, soil nitrogen, and profitability. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 279–293.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphries AW, Auricht GC
(2001) Breeding lucerne for Australia’s southern dryland cropping environments. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 153–169.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Irwin JAG,
Lloyd DL, Lowe KF
(2001) Lucerne biology and genetic improvement—an analysis of past activities and future goals in Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 699–712.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Isbell, RF (1996).
Lanyon LE, Griffith WK
(1988) Nutrition and fertilizer use. ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. (Eds AA Hanson, DK Barnes, RR Hill)
pp. 333–372. (ASA/CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI)
Latta RA,
Blacklow LJ, Cocks PS
(2001) Comparative soil water, pasture production, and crop yields in phase farming systems with lucerne and annual pasture in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 295–303.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Latta RA,
Cocks PS, Matthews C
(2002) Lucerne pastures to sustain agricultural production in southwestern Australia. Agricultural Water Management 53, 99–109.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Latta RA, Lyons AM
(in press) The performance of lucerne–wheat rotations on Western Australian duplex soil. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ,
Maas EV, Hoffmann GJ
(1977) Crop salt tolerance—current assessment. Journal of the Irrigation and Drainage Division Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineering 103, 115–134.
Mapfumo E,
Chanasyk DS,
Naeth MA, Baron VS
(1998) Forage growth and yield components as influenced by subsurface compaction. Agronomy Journal 90, 805–812.
McCallum MH,
Connor DJ, O’Leary GJ
(2001) Water use by lucerne and effect on crops in the Victorian Wimmera. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 193–201.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McDonald RC, Isbell RF
(1984) Soil profile. ‘Australian soil and land survey’. (Eds RC McDonald, RF Isbell, JG Speight, J Walker, MS Hopkins)
pp. 83–126. (Inkata Press: Melbourne, Vic.)
McKenzie JS, Paquin R, Duke SH
(1988) Cold and heat tolerance. ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. (Eds AA Hanson, DK Barnes, RR Hill, J Walker, MS Hopkins)
pp. 259–302. (ASA/CSSA, SSSA: Madison, WI)
Meyers LL,
Russelle MP, Lamb JFS
(1996) Fluridone reveals root elongation differences among alfalfa germplasms. Agronomy Journal 88, 67–72.
Moore, G (1998).
Moore G
(1998) Distinctive morphological features and their agricultural significance. ‘Soil guide. A handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. Bulletin No. 4343. ,(Ed. G Moore)
pp. 43–50. (Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Moore G, Hall D, Russell J
(1998) Soil water. ‘Soil guide. A handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. pp. 80–93. (Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Needham P, Moore G, Scholz G
(1998) Subsurface compaction. ‘Soil guide. A handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. Bulletin No. 4343. ,(Ed. G Moore)
pp. 116–124. (Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Passioura JB
(1983) Roots and drought resistance. Agricultural Water Management 7, 265–280.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Peck AJ, Hurle DH
(1973) Chloride balance of some farmed and forested catchments in south-western Australia. Water Resources Research 3, 648–657.
Percy, H (2000). ‘Katanning area land resources survey.’ Publication Land Resources Series Reports 16. pp. 1–244. (Department of Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Pietola LM, Smucker AJM
(1995) Fine root dynamics of alfalfa after multiple cuttings and during a late invasion of weeds. Agronomy Journal 87, 1161–1169.
Priestley CHB, Taylor RJ
(1972) On the assessment of surface heat flux and evaporation using a large-scale parameters. Monthly Weather Review 100, 81–92.
Purdie B
(1988) Understanding and interpreting soil chemical and physical data. ‘Soil guide. A handbook for understanding and managing agricultural soils’. Bulletin No. 4343.,(Ed. G Moore)
(Agriculture Western Australia: Perth, W. Aust.)
Ray IM,
Townsend MS,
Muncy CH, Henning JA
(1999) Heritabilities of water-use efficiency traits and correlations with agronomic traits in water-stressed alfalfa. Crop Science 39, 494–498.
Rayment, GE ,
and
Higginson, FR (1992).
Rengasamy P
(2002) Transient salinity and subsoil constraints to dryland farming in Australian sodic soils: an overview. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 42, 351–361.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ridley AM,
Christy B,
Dunin FX,
Haines PJ,
Wilson KF, Ellington A
(2001) Lucerne in crop rotations on the Riverine Plains. 1. The soil water balance. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 263–277.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson MJ,
Fukai S,
Ludlow MM, Hammer GL
(1993a) Water extraction by grain sorghum in a sub-humid environment. II. Extraction in relation to root growth. Field Crops Research 33, 99–112.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robertson MJ,
Fukai S,
Ludlow MM, Hammer GL
(1993b) Water extraction by grain sorghum in a sub-humid environment. I. Analysis of the water extraction pattern. Field Crops Research 33, 81–97.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rogers ME
(2001) The effect of saline irrigation on lucerne production: shoot and root growth, ion relations and flowering incidence in six cultivars grown in northern Victoria, Australia. Irrigation Science 20, 55–64.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rovira AD
(1992) Dryland mediterranean farming systems in Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 801–809.
| Crossref |
Saini GR, Chow TL
(1982) Effect of compact sub-soil and water stress on shoot and root activity of corn (Zea mays L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in a growth chamber. Plant and Soil 66, 291–298.
Schoknecht, N (2001).
Sheaffer CC, Tanner CB, Kirkham MB
(1988) Alfalfa water relations and irrigation. ‘Alfalfa and alfalfa improvement’. pp. 373–409. (ASA-CSSA-SSSA: Madison, WI)
Smeal D,
Kallsen CE, Sammis TW
(1991) Alfalfa yield as related to transpiration, growth stage and environment. Irrigation Science 12, 79–86.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smolinski, HJ ,
and
Galloway, P (2002).
Snaydon RW
(1972) The effect of total water supply, and of frequency of application, upon lucerne. I. Dry matter production. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 23, 239–251.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tennant D,
Scholz G,
Dixon J, Prudie B
(1992) Physical and chemical characteristics of duplex soils and their distribution in the south-west of Western Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 32, 827–843.
| Crossref |
Tow PG
(1993) Persistence and water use efficiency of a tropical grass and lucerne on a solodic soil on the Far North-West Slopes of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 33, 245–252.
| Crossref |
Ward PR, Dunin FX
(2001) Growing season evapotranspiration from duplex soils in south-western Australia. Agricultural Water Management 50, 141–159.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ward PR,
Dunin FX, Micin SF
(2001) Water balance of annual and perennial pastures on a duplex soil in a Mediterranean environment. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 203–209.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ward PR,
Fillery IRP,
Maharaj EA, Dunin FX
(2003) Water budgets and nutrients in a native Banksia woodland and an adjacent Medicago sativa pasture. Plant and Soil 257, 305–319.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitfield DM
(2001) Water content of a red-brown earth subjected to a range of agronomic vegetation options in south-eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 587–592.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Williamson DR,
Stokes RA, Ruprecht JK
(1987) Response of input and output of water and chloride to clearing for agriculture. Journal of Hydrology 94, 1–28.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
