Influence of earthworms, Aporrectodea spp. (Lumbricidae), on lime burial in pasture soils in south-eastern Australia

Soil Research ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 831 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Baker ◽  
P. J. Carter ◽  
V. J. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
The Other ◽  
Aporrectodea Caliginosa ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The relative abilities of 3 exotic lumbricid earthworms, the endogeic Aporrectodea caliginosa and A. trapezoides and the anecic A. longa, to bury surface-applied lime and help ameliorate soil acidity were measured in cages in 7 pasture soils in south-eastern Australia. All 3 species buried lime, mostly within the top 5 cm of the soil profile, but A. longa buried it deeper than A. caliginosa and A. trapezoides. A. longa significantly increased soil pH at 15–20 cm depth at some sites within 5 months (winter–spring, the earthworm ‘season’ in the Mediterranean climate of south-eastern Australia). Lime burial varied markedly between sites. These site differences were explained, at least in part, by variations in rainfall. Lime burial increased with earthworm density. A minimum density of 214 A. longa/m 2 was needed to significantly enhance lime burial within one season. Higher densities were required for the other two species. However, per unit of biomass, A. caliginosa and A. trapezoides were generally more able to bury lime in the upper soil layers (2 . 5–10 cm depth) than A. longa. Agricultural soils in south-eastern Australia are dominated by shallow burrowing species such as A. caliginosa and A. trapezoides. Deeper burrowers such as A. longa are rare. Introduction of A. longa to soils in high-rainfall regions of south-eastern Australia, where it does not presently occur, should enhance lime burial and help reduce soil acidity.

The effects of soil pH on Cd concentration in wheat grain grown in south-eastern Australia

1995 ◽  
pp. 791-795 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Oliver ◽  
K. G. Tiller ◽  
M. K. Conyers ◽  
W. J. Slattery ◽  
R. H. Merry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Attempts to measure the influence of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) on the field mortality of the bush fly Musca vetustissima Walker (Diptera: Muscidae) in south-eastern Australia

1983 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. H. Wallace ◽  
M Tyndale-Biscoe
Keyword(s):  
Total Mortality ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Dung Beetle ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
The Other ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
South Eastern Australia

AbstractThe immature stages of Musca vetustissima Wlk. in dung pads in south-eastern Australia suffered a high mortality through the actions of a complex array of dung organisms, including dung beetles (scarabaeids), predatory beetles (hydrophilids and histerids) and predatory mites (Macrocheles glaber (Müll.)). At times of high dung beetle numbers, it was possible to demonstrate a relationship between fly mortality and dung beetle numbers. Single-species dung beetle populations appeared to be as effective as multiple-species populations in reducing fly numbers, except that some benefit was derived from a combination of day- and night-flying species. When dung beetle numbers were low, their influence could not be measured because of the high mortalities already caused by the other dung fauna. It is suggested that in those circumstances any mortality caused by the dung beetles may simply have become substituted for an existing mortality caused by other fauna without adding to the total mortality.

Influence of earthworms, Aporrectodea spp. (Lumbricidae), on pasture production in south-eastern Australia

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 1247 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Baker ◽  
P. J. Carter ◽  
V. J. Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Initial Number ◽  
Aporrectodea Caliginosa ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Phosphorus Levels ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Most of the earthworms now found in agricultural fields in south-eastern Australia are exotic, patchily distributed, mineral soil dwellers (endogeic species). The influence of two of the most common endogeic species, Aporrectodea caliginosa and A. trapezoides, on pasture production was compared with that of another exotic, surface-feeding, deep-burrowing (anecic) species, A. longa, which is essentially restricted in its Australian distribution to Tasmania. Comparisons were made by introducing 4 different densities of the worms in cages at 10 field sites and measuring pasture production for approximately 5 months. All 3 species increased pasture production at most of the 10 sites. Increases in pasture production were greatest where original pasture production was low. Pasture production increased with earthworm density. Averaged across sites, earthworms increased pasture production by up to 61%. Significant increases in yield were detected with ≥214 A. longa/m 2 and ≥429 A. caliginosa or A. trapezoides/m 2. A. longa is a much bigger worm than A. caliginosa and A. trapezoides. If the initial number of worms introduced to the cages was taken as the measure of earthworm ‘abundance’, then A. longa increased pasture production more than the 2 endogeic species. If the biomass of introduced worms was taken as the measure of abundance, then the reverse was the case. A. longa reduced nitrogen levels in some soils. Phosphorus levels were not affected. No residual effects on pasture production were detected when soil that had been improved by earthworms was potted and resown with ryegrass. Broad scale introduction of A. caliginosa, A. longa, or A. trapezoides to sites lacking them in south-eastern Australia is likely to improve pasture production significantly. Addition of A. longa to existing communities of endogeic species should further increase pasture yield by enhancing functional diversity.

The introduction of earthworms to an ameliorated, irrigated duplex soil in south-eastern Australia and the influence on macropores

Soil Research ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
PS Blackwell ◽  
J Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Air Permeability ◽  
Clay Soils ◽  
Aporrectodea Caliginosa ◽  
Pore Connectivity ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Summer Fallow ◽  
Gypsum Application ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Two species of lumbricid, Aporrectodea caliginosa and Aporrectodea longa and a megascolecid, Eukerria saltenis were introduced, during the winter, to a duplex soil (transitional red-brown earth) ameliorated by either gypsum-enriched slots or beds formed after deep ripping and gypsum application. Some were introduced to areas enclosed by mesh within the slots, others were released in adjacent unenclosed areas. The enclosed areas had the equivalent of 0, 5 or 10 t ha-l of wheat straw on the surface, the unenclosed areas had 5 t ha-1. The enclosed areas were excavated in the spring, 17 weeks after earthworms were introduced. Proportionally more Eukerria adults were recovered than Aporrectodea adults (4040% compared with 10-30%). At 20-45 cm depth, Eukerria adults were four times more common than Aporrectodea. Cocoons and immature forms of Aporrectodea were very common, especially near the surface. Nine months after the introduction, even after a drier than average summer fallow, earthworms were still present. More Eukerria than Aporrectodea adults were found in the sample from the unenclosed areas. The smaller species, Eukerria, (about 1 mm diameter and 30 mm long) may be better adapted to survive in these ameliorated clay soils, but further research is needed. In the enclosed areas, soil macroporosity was unaffected by the 17 weeks with earthworms, but air permeability through the macropores was significantly increased, probably due to the burrows increasing vertical pore connectivity within 0 . 3 m depth.

Gaseous nitrogen loss from temperate perennial grass and clover dairy pastures in south-eastern Australia

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Eckard ◽  
D. Chen ◽  
R. E. White ◽  
D. F. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Ammonium Nitrate ◽  
Nitrogen Loss ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
The Other ◽  
N Losses ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
South Eastern Australia

The use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on dairy pastures in south-eastern Australia has increased exponentially over the past 15 years. Concerns have been raised about the economic and environmental impact of N loss through volatilisation and denitrification. Emissions of NH3, N2, and N2O were measured for 3 years in the 4 different seasons from a grazed grass/clover pasture, with or without 200 kg N fertiliser/ha, applied as ammonium nitrate and urea.Nitrogen-fertilised treatments lost significantly more N than the control treatments in all cases. More NH3 was lost from urea-fertilised treatments than from either the control or ammonium nitrate treatments, whereas ammonium nitrate treatments lost significantly more N through denitrification than the control or urea treatments in all seasons, except for summer. More NH3 was lost in summer than in the other seasons, whereas denitrification and N2O losses were highest in winter and lowest in summer. The total annual NH3 loss from the control, ammonium nitrate, and urea treatments averaged 17, 32, and 57 kg N/ha.year, respectively. Annual denitrification losses were estimated at around 6, 15, and 13 kg N/ha.year for the control, ammonium nitrate, and urea treatments, respectively. Total gaseous N losses were estimated to be 23, 47, and 70 kg N/ha.year from the control, ammonium nitrate, and urea treatments respectively.Although the use of ammonium nitrate fertiliser would significantly reduce NH3 volatilisation losses in summer, this fertiliser costs 45% more per unit N than urea, so there is no economic justification for recommending its use over urea for the other seasons. However, the use of urea during the cooler, wetter months may result in significantly less denitrification loss. The results are discussed in terms of potential management strategies to improve fertiliser efficiency and reduce adverse effects on the environment.

Three new species of Fergusonina Malloch gall-flies (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) from terminal leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in south-eastern Australia

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3112 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
LEIGH A. NELSON ◽  
SONJA J. SCHEFFER ◽  
DAVID K. YEATES
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
The Other ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Dorsal Shield ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Three new species of Fergusonina (Diptera: Fergusoninidae) flies are described from terminal leaf bud galls on Eucalyptus L'Hér. from south eastern Australia. Fergusonina omlandi Nelson and Yeates sp. nov. is the first species of fly from the genus Fergusonina to be described from the Eucalyptus pauciflora Sieb. ex Spreng. (Snow Gum) species complex; although another two species occur in sympatry on this host at higher elevations. Fergusonina omlandi sp. nov. can be distinguished from the latter by differences in adult size and markings on the mesonotum and morphology of the dorsal shield of the larva. The other new species, Fergusonina williamensis Nelson and Yeates sp. nov. and Fergusonina thornhilli Nelson and Yeates sp. nov. are the first flies to be described from Eucalyptus baxteri (Benth.) Maiden & Blakely and Eucalyptus dalrympleana Maiden, respectively. These two species can be distinguished from all other described Fergusonina by host specificity, adult colour and setation and morphology of the dorsal shield.

Longevity of wheat yield response to lime in south-eastern Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Coventry ◽  
W. J. Slattery ◽  
V. F. Burnett ◽  
G. W. Ganning
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Initial Application ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Phosphorus Fertiliser ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Summary. A long-term experiment in north-eastern Victoria has been regularly monitored for wheat yield responses to a range of lime and fertiliser treatments, and the soil sampled for acidity attributes. Substantial grain yield increases have been consistently obtained over a period of 12 years with a single lime application. Lime applied at 2.5 t/ha in 1980 was still providing yield increases of 24% with an acid-tolerant wheat (Matong, 1992 season) and 79% with an acid-sensitive wheat (Oxley, 1993 season) relative to no lime treatment. The 2 wheat cultivars responded differently to phosphorus fertiliser, with the acid-sensitive wheat less responsive to phosphorus fertiliser in the absence of lime. The use of a regular lime application applied as a fertiliser (125 kg lime/ha) with the wheat seed gave only a small grain yield increase (8% Matong, 16% Oxley), despite 1 t/ha of lime applied over the 12-year period. Liming the soil at a rate of 2.5 t/ha (1980) initially raised the soil pH by about 1.0 unit and removed most soluble aluminium (0–10 cm). However, after 12 years of crop–pasture rotation after the initial 2.5 t lime/ha treatment the soil pH had declined by 0.7 of a pH unit and exchangeable aluminium was substantially increased, almost to levels prior to the initial application of lime. Given the continued yield responsiveness obtained following the initial application of lime, this practice, rather than regular applications of small amounts of lime, is recommended for wheat production on strongly acidic (pHw < 5.5) soils in south-eastern Australia.

Long-term surface application of lime ameliorates subsurface soil acidity in the mixed farming zone of south-eastern Australia

Geoderma ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 338 ◽  
pp. 236-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangdi D. Li ◽  
Mark K. Conyers ◽  
Keith R. Helyar ◽  
Chris J. Lisle ◽  
Graeme J. Poile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Acidity ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Surface Application ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Subsurface Soil ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Systematics of the Egernia whitii species group (Lacertilia : Scincidae) in south-eastern Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Donnellan ◽  
Mark N. Hutchinson ◽  
Paula Dempsey ◽  
William S. Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Species Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Allelic Differences ◽  
South Eastern Australia

Allozyme electrophoresis was used to assess the taxonomic significance of colour pattern variation within and between populations of the Egernia whitii species group from 41 locations in south-eastern Australia. Analysis of the products of 39 presumed loci revealed that a minimum of three species are present in southern New South Wales among populations previously referred to Egernia whitii. Fixed allelic differences were maintained where pairs of species were sympatric. One of these three species is wide-ranging and is the one to which the name E. whitii is properly applied. The other two are more restricted ecologically and geographically and are described here as new. The three species are genetically and morphologically distinct from the other three eastern Australian members of the species group, E.�margaretae, E. modesta, and E. multiscutata. Genetic data and a review of the morphological evidence provide no support for the recognition of subspecies within either E. whitii (sensu stricto) or E. multiscutata.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document