bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil-extractable sulfur and pasture response to applied sulfur
Authors: Anderson G. C. , Blair G. J. , Lefroy R. D. B.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Attempts to measure the sulfur (S) requirements
of pastures using existing soil test procedures have largely been unsuccessful
due to the extractants either under- or over-estimating the availability of S
from soil organic matter.
A range of extractants was used to assess the availability of S at 2 field
sites on Kentucky yellow podzolic and Walcha krasnozem soils located on the
Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. The experiments were conducted over a
2-year period on improved perennial pastures. The 7 extraction techniques used
were: 0.1 mol
Ca(H2PO4)2/L
(MCPt); 0.1 mol
Ca(H2PO4)2/L,
treated with activated charcoal (MCPi); water
(H2O); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 40˚C for 3 h
(KCl-40); 0.25 mol KCl/L, heated at 100˚C for 4 h (KCl-100); 0.5 mol
NaHCO3/L, (NaHCO3); and an
acid digestion of the soil (total).
In both soils, the MCPi technique extracted the least
amount of S. The amount of S extracted by the MCPt,
H2O and KCl-40 techniques was intermediate. The KCl-100
technique extracted greater amounts of S than these techniques. For the
Kentucky yellow podzolic soil, the KCl-100 technique extracted the same amount
as the NaHCO3 technique but extracted less for the
Walcha krasnozem soil.
The extraction techniques which varied least throughout the year were total
and NaHCO3 for both soils. The KCl-40 technique was as
stable as these techniques for the Kentucky yellow podzolic soil but was less
stable for the Walcha krasnozem soil. Nevertheless, the KCl-40 technique had a
higher stability than the KCl-100, H2O and
MCPt techniques, while the MCPi
technique was the least stable.
Pasture S content response to applied S fertilisers was related to dry matter
production of each site, which was largely determined by the environmental
factors (soil moisture, temperature and solar radiation). Seasonal changes in
the level of soil S only modified this relationship for the Walcha krasnozem
site when environmental conditions promoted mineralisation of soil organic S
which was retained within the soil profile due to sulfate adsorption and
resulted in an increase in inorganic soil sulfur. These findings suggest
future research is required into field measurements of the ability of soil to
supply S as determined by the rate of mineralisation and leaching in relation
to the plant‘s demand for soil S.
Mineral disorders in grazing livestock and the usefulness of soil and plant analysis in the assessment of these disorders
Authors: Judson G. J. , McFarlane J. D.
Published: August 2004

Summary. This paper briefly describes common mineral
disorders affecting livestock at pasture in Australia, their mineral
requirements, factors affecting these requirements and laboratory methods of
assessing the mineral status of the animal. The benefits and limitations of
mineral analyses of soil and pasture samples for the purposes of identifying
and preventing mineral disorders of the grazing animal are discussed. Mineral
analyses of pasture are of particular value in the identification of the
causes of copper and magnesium deficiency and of acute calcium deficiency in
livestock. Selective grazing, adventitious ingestion of soil and variability
in the mineral reserves of the animal, however, limit the usefulness of
pasture analyses to identify a mineral disorder in the grazing animal.
Effect of nitrogen fertiliser application and length of lock up on dairy pasture dry matter yield and quality for silage in south-western Victoria
Authors: Jacobs J. L. , McKenzie F. R. , Rigby S. E. , Kearney G.
Published: August 2004

Summary. This study aimed to define the effect of
differing rates of nitrogen application and lock up length on harvested
material for silage in south-western Victoria. At 2 sites in south-western
Victoria, 140, 3 by 2 m plots of predominantly perennial ryegrass pasture were
randomly allocated, within 4 replicate blocks. Five nitrogen fertiliser rates
(0, 25, 50, 75, 100 kg N/ha) in combination with 7 lock up lengths were
randomly allocated to the 35 plots within each replicate. Nitrogen was applied
1 week after initial lock up (September 10, site 1; September 12, site 2) and
harvesting commenced 3 weeks after initial lock up. For each treatment and
harvest date, dry matter yield and botanical composition were determined and
samples of total pasture and the ryegrass fraction were collected and
chemically analysed for dry matter digestibility, crude protein, neutral
detergent fibre, water-soluble carbohydrates and mineral content.
Metabolisable energy was derived from dry matter digestibility.
Increasing rates of nitrogen increased herbage dry matter yield regardless of
length of lock up. The yield response was greatest 8 weeks after initial lock
up at both sites (site 1, 26 kg DM/kg N; site 2, 14.9 kg DM/kg N).
Subsequent regrowth of pasture was increased by nitrogen application over
shorter lock up lengths (weeks 3 and 4). Botanical composition was unaffected
by treatment during the harvesting period or in the subsequent autumn.
Application of nitrogen gave rise to a linear increase in pasture
metabolisable energy and crude protein content at both sites until week 5.
Thereafter, this response diminished and by week 8 there was a decrease in
metabolisable energy and crude protein content. Neutral detergent fibre
content was relatively unaffected by nitrogen application until week 8 of the
study, at which point there was a linear increase. Application of nitrogen
reduced the water-soluble carbohydrate content of pastures throughout the
sampling period.
It is concluded that application of nitrogen to a mixed sward locked up for
silage can increase dry matter yield and, provided pasture is harvested before
ryegrass ear emergence, can also have a positive effect on metabolisable
energy and crude protein. Given that the decision for removing paddocks from
the grazing rotation is based upon pasture growth and stocking rates, the use
of nitrogen fertilisers on higher stocked farms could lead to increased dry
matter yield over shorter lock up periods. On farms with lower stocking rates
shorter lock up periods may allow for pastures to be returned to the grazing
rotation earlier, or provide the opportunity for a second harvest of pasture
for silage.
A study of the effect of inputs on level of production of dairy farms in Queensland - a comparative analysis of survey data
Authors: Kerr D. V. , Chaseling J. , Chopping G. D. , Davison T. M. , Busby G.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Multiple linear regression models able to
estimate total farm milk production from nutritional inputs were developed
from farm survey data provided by dairy farmers in Queensland, Australia.
These models were specifically developed for inclusion in a decision support
system that could provide dairy farmers with an annual milk production
estimate, thus enabling them to compare their production with an average farm
using the same inputs in their region. Separate models were developed for each
of 4 regions in Queensland and an additional model was developed for farms
producing greater than 750 kL of milk per farm per year. The models were
tested on dairy farms in Queensland by using the decision support system on
farms that were not involved with initial model development. The partial
regression coefficients for the models were biologically sensible and, apart
from some minor interactions between independent variables in 2 regions, were
additive. These interactions were not included in the final model in the
interests of parsimony, ease of explanation and a need to provide transparent
models within the decision support system. The coefficients of determination
(R2) for the models varied from
79.9 to 88.3%. Forward-feed artificial neural network models were also
used to confirm the relative accuracy of the multiple linear regression models
and to allow for any interactions or non-linear functions in the data and to
show that the simple equations are more appropriate for a farmer-orientated
decision support system.
Measuring nutrient and pesticide movement in soils: benefits for catchment management
Authors: Kookana R. S. , White R. E.
Published: August 2004

Summary. The movement of nutrients, especially
NO3- and H2
PO4-, and pesticides from soils
into receiving waters can pose problems for the management of water quality in
catchments. This paper briefly reviews the reactions of these materials in
soil, and the processes involved in their transport by water over and through
soils in the field. The natural heterogeneity of soils, and fluctuations in
the source strength of pesticides and nutrients due to biophysical factors and
environmental conditions, have a profound effect on measurements. Preferred
techniques are discussed for measuring losses from drained systems (sampled as
point sources, which provide an integration of spatial and temporal
variability in the areas drained) and undrained systems (sampled as diffuse
sources, where the reliability of areal averaging depends on the efficiency of
the sampling strategy). Pathways of nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticide
movement from soil into receiving waters (surface and groundwater) are
identified, and examples given of the quantities lost in solution and solid
phases under various land uses. The importance of recognising the likelihood
of 3-dimensional flow of water and entrained solutes in the landscape is
emphasised.
Techniques to obtain representative samples are discussed and sampling
protocols for good quality assurance–quality control are identified. The
concepts of precision, accuracy, completeness and comparability are defined.
Sampling equipment is reviewed and procedures for preventing contamination in
the field and laboratory, and the preservation of samples, are recommended.
The application of techniques is illustrated by case histories for pesticide
monitoring. The role of models for integrating the various processes that
determine the fate of nutrients and pesticides under a specific management
practice is discussed. The scope and current limitations for extrapolating the
results of site-specific measurements to larger areas, such as whole
catchments, through simulation modelling are briefly discussed.
Micropropagation of Scaevola —Australian native of ornamental horticulture
Authors: Bhalla P. L. , Sweeney K.
Published: August 2004

Summary. A number of commercially available cultivars of
Scaevola aemula, S. albida,
S. phlebopetala, S. striata and
material collected from the wild of S. glandulifera,
S. hookeri and S. ramonissima were
successfully propagated by tissue culture. Shoot segments 3–4 cm in
length were multiplied in Murashige and Skoog medium without hormones.
Addition of 25–150 µmol kinetin/L in the micropropagation
medium of S. aemula and
S. phlebopetala resulted in the formation of deformed
shoots. Tissue cultured shoots rooted in hormone-free medium in 4–6
weeks. Indole-3-butyric acid (10–20 µmol/L) had an effect on
rate of root initiation of S. phlebopetala but not on
percentage of rooting. A high survival percentage (>95%) was
obtained when plants were transferred to soil under glasshouse conditions
indicating that micropropagation of Scaevola is
feasible.
Air-tower sprayers increase spray application efficiency in mature citrus trees
Authors: Cunningham G. P. , Harden J.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Conventional pesticide spraying in citrus crops
with low-profile sprayers results in pest management problems because of the
poor distribution of pesticide throughout the tree. Pesticide losses,
particularly drift, are a concern with this type of sprayer especially in
orchards situated in or near urban areas.
The spray deposit on citrus leaves and fruit and off-target losses (canopy
run-off and drift) were determined for air-assisted low-profile sprayers and
air-assisted sprayers fitted with tower air conveyors (air-towers).
The air-tower sprayers produced even distribution of leaf spray deposits
through the full height of the tree canopy while the low-profile sprayers
produced decreasing leaf spray deposits with increasing height in the trees.
The Metters tower sprayer and Cropliner low-profile sprayer resulted in
increasing deposits from the 0˚ axis through to the 90˚ axis to
sprayer travel while the Barlow tower sprayer and the Hardi low-profile
sprayer produced a more even distribution of deposits through the axes to
sprayer travel. Fruit deposits were not significantly different between
sprayers. The Barlow tower sprayer produced significantly less canopy spray
run-off compared with the low-profile sprayers. The Barlow tower sprayer
resulted in a significant reduction in spray drift in the above tree zone
compared with the Hardi low-profile sprayer.
Better distribution of pesticides in citrus tree canopies will improve pest
control especially in the top sections of the tree as this is where the
greatest increase in pesticide deposit is achieved with air-tower sprayers.
Both ground and air contamination from pesticides can also be reduced by using
sprayers fitted with air-tower conveyors designed to produce even airflows for
the full height of the citrus trees being sprayed.
Modelling pesticide residues on greasy wool: experimental studies
Authors: Campbell N. J. , Hanrahan P. D. , Russell I. M. , Roberts G. S. , Horton B. J.
Published: August 2004

Summary. A model has been fitted to results from
experimental application of organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and insect
growth regulators to sheep mostly in long wool. The model relates the rate of
breakdown of pesticide to the chemical used, the method of application and the
length of wool at the time of treatment. A genetic algorithm was used to
combine a range of experimental results for each chemical group to determine
the rate of breakdown, and also the effect of application method and length of
wool on breakdown.
Organophosphates break down very quickly when applied to the surface of the
wool (initial half-lives of 9–12 days), but the rate of breakdown
gradually slows as the proportion of pesticide near the surface of the wool
decreases. When the pesticide is applied deep into the wool by hand jetting or
dipping, the rate of breakdown is slower (average half-lives of 27–42
days) and more uniform.
Synthetic pyrethroids applied by hand jetting or backliner to sheep with
6–9 months wool growth initially break down with half-lives of
32–39 days, but the rate of breakdown decreases to 59–215 days
giving average half-lives of 48–103 days over the 3–6 months
between application and shearing.
Cyromazine applied by hand jetting to sheep with 6–8 months wool growth
has an average half-life of 79–96 days, but less if applied by automatic
jetting race. The other insect growth regulators have longer half-lives:
triflumuron, off-shears backliner, 119 days; and diflubenzuron, long wool
jetting on to 7–9 months wool, >119 days.
The model allows for different breakdown rates due to the method of
application and length of wool and for changes in the rate of breakdown
between application and shearing. It can be used to estimate the expected
residue on wool at any time after a specified treatment, provided the amount
of chemical applied is known. Conversely, the amount applied can be estimated
from the residue and treatment details.
Effect of pruning on regrowth of cut foliage stems of seventeen Eucalyptus species
Authors: Wirthensohn M. G. , Sedgley M.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Seventeen species of
Eucalyptus were subjected to trials investigating their
suitability for floriculture and the effect of pruning on cut foliage
production. There was variation in leaf colour within and between species, and
in the time to phase change and flowering. There were significant differences
at 16 months between species for tree height, trunk diameter and lignotuber
diameter with E. globulus having the largest dimensions.
Following pruning at 19 months, there was an initial significant interaction
between species and pruning height in relation to tree height, height
increment, and trunk and lignotuber diameter. After 1 year there were
significant differences between species, in the length of stems, number of
stems and total weight of stems, with E. globulus
producing the highest number and weight of stems. There was a positive
correlation of trunk diameter and lignotuber diameter at 3 and 6 months after
pruning with the number of cut foliage stems produced at 12 months. For
E. gunnii pruning to 1.0 m at 25 months produced the
most stems at 6 months after pruning.
Growth of selected Australian plants in soilless media using coir as a substitute for peat
Authors: Offord C. A. , Muir S. , Tyler J. L.
Published: August 2004

Summary. In 2 experiments coir fibre (coconut mesocarp)
was compared with peat as a propagation or potting mix component for selected
Australian native plants. The first experiment investigated root and shoot
growth on cuttings of Pultenaea parviflora grown in
mixes of peat : perlite : sand 4:7:3, coir : perlite : sand 4:7:3 or
coir:perlite:sand 3:7:3. No differences in rooting or shoot regrowth were
detected even though there were some differences in the chemical and physical
characteristics of the mixes. Over 2 months, pH of the coir mixes rose from
3.3 and 3.9 to 5.8 and 5.6, respectively, whilst electrical conductivity
decreased from 0.253 and 0.127 dS/m to 0.095 and 0.103 dS/m. The
physical characteristics (air-filled porosity and water-holding capacity) of
the mixes did not change substantially over time. In the second experiment,
Brachyscome multifida var.
dilatata, Correa ‘Dusky
Bells’, Eucalyptus melliodora and
Grevillea × gaudichaudii
were potted into peat : sand 1:2, coir:sand 1:2 or coir:sand 1:3; whilst
Callicoma serratifolia and
Lomandra longifolia were potted into peat:sand 1:2,
coir:sand 1:2 or coir:sand 1:5. All taxa and potting mix combinations were
subjected to a ‘less frequent’ or ‘more frequent’
watering regime. The physical and chemical characteristics of the mixes were
all within the Australian standard recommendations (AS 3743-1996) with the
exception of pH which was initially slightly higher than recommended in all
mixes. Analysis of growth characteristics over 14 months did not reveal any
clear overall differences between mixes, indicating that coir was comparable
with peat.
Seasonal variation in the herbage yield and nutritive value of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars with high or normal herbage water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations grown in three contrasting Australian dairy environments
Authors: Smith K. F. , Simpson R. J. , Oram R. N. , Lowe K. F. , Kelly K. B. , Evans P. M. , Humphreys M. O.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Two lines of perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne L.), cv. Aurora and breeding line Ba
11351, from the United Kingdom with elevated concentrations of water-soluble
carbohydrates in the shoot were compared with the standard cultivars, Ellett,
Vedette and Kangaroo Valley, in pure grass swards under irrigation at Kyabram,
Victoria, and Gatton, Queensland, and under natural rainfall at Condah,
Victoria, during 1995–97. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy was
used to predict the water-soluble carbohydrate, crude protein,
in vitro dry matter digestibility, neutral and acid
detergent fibre, and Klason lignin concentrations of the perennial ryegrass
herbage. Herbage yield and water-soluble carbohydrate differed between
cultivars at each site at most harvests, with the high water-soluble
carbohydrate lines usually yielding less and having higher water-soluble
carbohydrate concentrations than the 3 standard cultivars. However, the high
water-soluble carbohydrate lines also had higher water-soluble carbohydrate
concentrations at harvests where their yield was equal to the standard
cultivars. The other nutritive value traits differed significantly at more
than half of the 32 harvests: the high water-soluble carbohydrate lines had
higher crude protein and dry matter digestibility, and lower neutral detergent
fibre, the neutral detergent fibre containing less acid detergent fibre and
lignin than did the standard cultivars. The high water-soluble carbohydrate
lines were more susceptible to crown rust during spring and summer than the
standard cultivars at Kyabram and Gatton: heavy infections reduced yield,
water-soluble carbohydrate, dry matter digestibility and crude protein. Higher
water-soluble carbohydrate may depend on only a few genes, as does rust
resistance and it seems likely that high yielding, high water-soluble
carbohydrate cultivars can be developed by recombination and selection.
Power and sample size calculations using Microsoft® Excel
Authors: O'Neill M. E. , Thomson P. C.
Published: August 2004

Summary. This note illustrates the versatility of modern
spreadsheets such as Microsoft® Excel (a registered
trademark of the Microsoft Corporation) in solving commonly asked questions on
power and sample size in designed experiments. Readers are referred to an
Excel file in the Publications/Journals area on our
website (www.cropsci.usyd.edu.au) if they wish to work
with the illustrations in this note. Click on
Abstract and associated files alongside our paper in the
publication list to locate the file.
Rhizobium as a factor in the re-establishment of legume-based pastures on clay soils of the wheat belt of north-western New South Wales
Authors: Bowman A. M. , Hebb D. M. , Munnich D. J. , Brockwell J.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Populations of
Rhizobium meliloti in self-mulching clay soils
(Vertisols) at 48 sites on 27 properties in north-western New South Wales were
classified according to number and ability to fix nitrogen with several
species of Medicago. Rhizobia were counted using serial
dilution, nodulation frequency, plant infection tests. Abilities of the soil
populations to fix nitrogen were determined in the laboratory with whole-soil
inoculation of Medicago seedlings in test tubes with
shoots exposed to the atmosphere and roots within the tubes under
bacteriological control, and in the field using a technique based on the
natural abundance of 15N in the soil. The majority of
soils contained >1000 cells of R. meliloti per gram.
The major component of those populations fixed nitrogen with lucerne
(Medicago sativa) and some components of some soils also
fixed nitrogen with M. polymorpha,
M. scutellata, M. littoralis,
M. tornata, M. laciniata and
Trigonella suavissima. However, a number of soils were
located which contained few if any rhizobia effective in nitrogen fixation
with M. polymorpha. Overall, the effectiveness of
nitrogen fixation of the naturally occurring populations of
R. meliloti in association with
M. polymorpha, M. scutellata,
M. littoralis and M. tornata was
only 46% of the effectiveness of standard strains. At one particular
site, where 10 lines of annual Medicago spp. were
growing experimentally, fixed nitrogen as a proportion of shoot nitrogen
averaged only 28%. At that site, there were no effective rhizobia for
M. scutellata and it was wholly dependent on the soil as
the source of its nitrogen.
The results are discussed in relation to the need for a substantial input of
legume nitrogen for restoring the natural fertility of self-mulching clay
soils in degraded wheat lands of north-western New South Wales. It is
suggested that lucerne, or perhaps other perennial
Medicago spp., might fill this role better than annual
medics such as M. polymorpha and
M. scutellata that are more dependent than lucerne on
specific strains of R. meliloti to meet their
requirements for symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Changes in characteristics of pastures in the coastal subtropics when grazed by cattle during years of low rainfall
Authors: Hennessy D. W. , McLennan D. J. , Williamson P. J. , Morris S. G.
Published: August 2004

Summary. The effect of continuous grazing on pasture
composition and quality was assessed on 2 pasture types in a subtropical
environment. The pastures were native stocked at 1 cow/2.5 ha, and
previously improved stocked at 1 cow/1.6 ha. In August 1990, carpet grass
(Axonopus affinus) was the major species in both the
native (49.8%) and improved (61.3%) pastures. However, the
proportion of carpet grass decreased during the study to 33% in the
native pasture and 30% in the improved pasture in February 1994. In the
native pasture, blady grass (Imperata cylindrica)
increased at the expense of carpet grass, whereas in the improved pasture
higher quality grasses, and to a lesser extent Giant Parramatta grass
(Sporobolus indicus), increased at the expense of carpet
grass. Overall, dry matter on offer and green dry matter depended on rainfall
and these peaked in late summer. Dry matter on offer differed between
non-drought and drought periods in both pastures and was ≤3500 kg/ha in
drought months in the native pasture and ≥3500 kg/ha in comparable
months in the improved pasture. Green dry matter was higher in pastures
towards the end of the summer growing season (83%, March 1992) and
lower during many of the drought months (12%, May 1991). Grazing
pressure (liveweight 0.75/t green dry matter) was
highest in August, the crucial period for weed incursion. Organic matter
digestibility was highest following rain in late spring (November 1990;
69%, improved pasture) but lowest in the absence of rain (November
1993; 38%, native pasture). The proportion of green dry matter in the
native pasture was not related to organic matter digestibility nor to the
nitrogen content of plucked pasture samples. However, in the improved pasture
the proportion of green dry matter was related to organic matter digestibility
on 3 occasions but not to nitrogen content.
Lamb survival in relation to lambing and neonatal behaviour in medium wool Merino lines divergently selected for multiple rearing ability
Authors: Cloete S. W. P. , Scholtz A. J.
Published: August 2004

Summary. Two lines of Merino sheep were divergently
selected from the same base population since 1986 on maternal ranking values
for multiple rearing ability. In the high (H) line, ewe and ram progeny were
preferably descended from ewes that reared >1 lamb per joining. In the low
(L) line, replacements were the progeny of ewes that reared <1 lamb per
joining. Data on lamb mortality, lambing and neonatal behaviour as well as
lamb production were obtained from these lines over 5 years (1993–97).
Lamb survival was improved (P<0.01) in the H line,
mainly as a result of the improved survival of multiples. It was evident that
the survival of lambs was not compromised by selection for ewe multiple
rearing ability, despite the fact that higher mortality levels are expected
with an increase in multiple birth rate. No line difference was found for the
time lapse from birth to first standing for >10 s, but H line lambs were
quicker (P<0.01) to progress from standing to
suckling than L line contemporaries (28 v. 38 min
respectively). This line difference remained after adjustment for better
co-operation of H line ewes with the first suckling attempts of their progeny.
Ewes in the H line tended (P = 0.18) to remain
longer on or near their birth sites than L line contemporaries (403
v. 362 min respectively). They also tended to be less
(P = 0.07) likely to desert their lambs than L
line ewes (12/424 = 0.028 v. 14/230
= 0.061 respectively). After least-squares adjustment for their heavier
(P<0.01) litter weight, H line ewes experienced
shorter (P<0.05) births than their L line
contemporaries (46 v. 57 min respectively). Fewer
(P<0.05) H line lambs died during or shortly after
parturition (respective proportions of 22/890 = 0.025 and
25/441 = 0.057), while maiden H line ewes were less
(P<0.05) likely to be assisted at lambing than L line
contemporaries (4/107 = 0.037 v. 8/61
= 0.131 respectively). With regard to overall lamb production, it was
found that the number of lambs weaned per ewe present at lambing in the H line
was improved (P<0.05) in all years relative to that
observed in the L line, the differences ranging from 25% in 1993 to
47% in 1997. Lamb weaning weight was correspondingly improved
(P<0.05) in H line lambs, the differences ranging
from 8% in 1994 to 22% in 1996. Fairly high levels of production
could thus be attained with predominantly pasture-fed ewes selected for
multiple rearing ability.
Preface
Authors: Sparrow Leigh
Published: August 2004

Summary. In relatively few years, the Australian Soil
and Plant Analysis Council Inc. (ASPAC) has conducted 2 inter-laboratory
proficiency programs on plant material and 3 inter-laboratory proficiency
programs on soils. The purpose of these performance-based programs is to
enhance the quality of soil and plant analysis in Australasia, with guidance
where necessary from the soil and plant expertise of ASPAC members.
ASPAC’s inaugural ‘Accreditation Committee’ reviewed
published standards and existing laboratory accreditation/proficiency
programs in Australia and internationally before developing what is now in
full operation. This historical perspective and the 12 principles that guide
operations of ASPAC’s soil and plant proficiency programs are described,
as are the numeric procedures used to determine satisfactory performance.
Certificates are issued to successful laboratories on completion of each
program. Moreover, these remain current until signed certificates from the
next equivalent program are released. Wide variations in some data sets
suggest there is considerable scope to improve laboratory accuracy,
particularly for soil chemical tests. Some of these differences are sufficient
to markedly affect the assessment of fertiliser requirements. The present
‘Accreditation Committee’, in addition to State Representatives,
serve as ‘points-of-contact’ for laboratories that require
assistance to overcome problems with analytical accuracy and precision. ASPAC
encourages its member laboratories to seek and maintain NATA (National
Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) accreditation, in addition to
participating regularly in the performance-based proficiency programs run by
ASPAC.
Australian species of Lasioseius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascidae): the porulosus group and other species from rainforest canopies
Authors: Walter D. E. , Lindquist E. E.
Published: August 2004

Approximately 100 species of Lasioseius have beendescribed worldwide, yet only two species have been reported from Australia(L. boomsmai Womersley andL. queenslandicus Womersley). We recently identifiedboth of these species from rainforest canopy chemical knockdown collectionsand reared them from fungal sporocarps growing on dead trees and logs. We alsofound that species in the Lasioseius porulosus group,previously unreported from Australia, are often the most numerous predatorymites on the leaves of tropical rainforest trees and of tropical tree crops inQueensland. Herein, we provide new collection records, diagnoses andbiological information for the two previously known Australian species ofLasioseius; review the Australian members of theporulosus group; describe five new species(Lasioseius cuppa,L. quandong,L. traveni, L. wondjina andL. zaluckii); and present a key to the species ofLasioseius that inhabit rainforest leaves. One of the previous records ofL. queenslandicus is shown to represent a pantropicaltramp species,L. subterraneusChant (newly reported fromAustralia), and L. athiasae Nawar & Nasr is shown tobe a junior synonym ofL. queenslandicus.Gnorimus Chaudri, 1975, Indiraseius Dansehvar, 1987, andNeolaspina Halliday, 1995, are shown to be synonyms ofLasioseius.
A revision of the Australian metaltellines (Araneae : Amaurobioidea : Amphinectidae : Metaltellinae)
Authors: Davies Valerie Todd
Published: August 2004

Seven new metaltelline genera (Quemusia,
Magua, Keera,
Jalkaraburra, Buyina,
Cunnawarra and Penaoola) are
described with the following new species:Q. aquilonia,
Q. austrina, Q. raveni,
Q. cordillera,
M. wiangaree,K. longipalpis,
J. alta, B. halifax,
B. yeatesi,C. grayi,
C. cassisi, P. algidaand
P. madida. Patterns of the male palpal sclerites in
eight Australian amaurobioids and Amaurobioides are
illustrated and discussed. Cladistic analyses of the relationships between the
Australian metaltelline species suggest that there are two clades, one of
which includes the South American genera; it indicates
thatCalacadia is more closely related to some of the
Australian genera than it is to Metaltella. The
metaltellines are transferred from the Amaurobiidae to the Amphinectidae on
the basis that they appear to be more closely related to genera in this family
than to Amaurobius fenestralis, the outgroup in the
cladistic analyses.
Revision of the genus Calliotrochus Fischer, 1879 (Gastropoda : Trochoidea)
Authors: Herbert D. G.
Published: August 2004

Examination of a large amount of material from the Indo–West Pacific
supports the view that all taxa currently referred to
Calliotrochus belong to a single widespread and variable
species, the oldest available name for which
isMargarita marmorea Pease, 1861. The species ranges
from south-eastern Africa to the Hawai’ian Islands and inhabits a range
of habitats from shallow, intertidal, lagoonal systems to offshore coral reefs
at depths of up to 25 m. Calliotrochus differs from
Gibbula in radula morphology and external anatomy, and
is considered generically distinct. It is referable to the Trochinae, but
relationships at tribal level are not clear. On the evidence available it is
referred to the Cantharidini. Attention is also drawn to similarities between
Calliotrochus and members of the Stomatellinae in
respect of radula and protoconch morphology.
New synonyms: Calliotrochus symbolicusIredale, 1937;
Calliotrochus symbolicus alterIredale, 1937;
Calliotrochus excellens Iredale, 1937;
Gibbula (Calliotrochus)
cummingae Kilburn, 1977; and probably also
Margarita ponsonbyi Preston, 1908 =
Calliotrochus marmoreus (Pease, 1861).
Classification, phylogeny and biogeography of the genera of Adeliini (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Matthews E. G.
Published: August 2004

In the tribe Adeliini, 45 genera are recognised: 24 endemic to Australia, nineto New Zealand, eight to New Caledonia, and three to Chile, and one(Licinoma Pascoe) that occurs in both Australia andChile. The genera of Australia and Chile are keyed and fully described, andall recognised species of Adeliini from Australia (303) and Chile (12),including synonyms and 66 new combinations, are listed in appendices. Onlycryptic features (defensive glands, stridulatory files, aedeagus, ovipositorand female tract) are described for New Zealand and New Caledonian genera, butall characters are included in an overall data matrix for analysis.The Adeliini are considered to be a tribe separate from Laenini. Therelationships of Phobelia Blanchard, Laenini,Goniaderini and Oncotini are briefly discussed. Four generic names aresynonymised: Achora Pascoe, 1869 =Isopteron Hope, 1840; DystalicaPascoe, 1869 = Adelium Kirby, 1818;Macroperas Carter, 1914 =Daedrosis Bates, 1868; andPseudadelium Kaszab, 1982 =Neoadelium Carter, 1908. New specific synonymiesproposed are Daedrosis rufipes Carter, 1934 =Tetragonomenes ruficornis (Champion, 1894);Adelium sinuaticolle Carter, 1914 =A. hackeri Carter, 1908;Dystalica multilineata Carter, 1937 =Seirotrana strigipennis Bates, 1873; andAdelium delicatulumCarter, 1919 =Adelium panagaeicolle Macleay, 1872. Two new names areproposed for new secondary homonyms: Daedrosis carteri,nom. nov. for D. antennalis Carter, 1920 (not Carter,1914), and Isopteron kulzeri, nom. nov. forCestrinus gracilis Kulzer, 1964 (not Carter, 1939).Eleven new genera and seven new species are described from Australia:Apocryphodes based onA. thompsoni, sp. nov; Bellendenumbased on B. gonyxuthum, sp. nov.;Bolusculus based on B. arcanus,sp. nov.; Diaspirus based onD. bellendenus, sp. nov.;Dicyrtodes based on D. arneius,sp. nov.; Diemenoma based onAdelium commodum Pascoe, 1869;Dorrigonum based onLicinoma umbilicata Carter, 1924;Epomidus, based on E. prionodes,sp. nov.; Monteithium based onM. ascetum, sp. nov.; Nolicimabased on Cardiothorax angusticollis Carter, 1906; andYarranum based onSeirotrana crenicollis Pascoe, 1869. Two new genera andone new species are described from Chile: Penadeliumbased on P. araucanum, sp. nov., andValdivium based onAdelium sulcatulum Fairmaire & Germain, 1860.All world genera but one were used for a phylogenetic reconstruction usingparsimony, which in turn is the basis for a biogeographic analysis. It wasfound to be necessary to divide Australia into two areas: the wet tropics ofnorthern Queensland, which have genera forming a monophyletic group with someof those of New Caledonia, and south-eastern Australia, which includes generaforming monophyletic groups with those of Chile. New Zealand genera do notparticipate in convincing monophyletic relationships with those of any othersingle area.
Fishery ecology and oceanography of the prawn Penaeus merguiensis (de Man) in the Gulf of Papua: estimation of maximum sustainable yield and modelling of yield, effort and rainfall
Authors: Evans C. R. , Opnai L. J. , Kare B. D.
Published: August 2004

Annual fishing effort for banana prawns,
Penaeus merguiensis (de Man), in the Gulf of Papua
increased from low levels in 1974 to around the optimum level in 1978 and
peaked at 95000 trawl-hours in 1989 before decreasing after the introduction
of effort controls in 1988. Maximum sustainable yield of
P. merguiensis was estimated at 559 ± s.e. 25 t
(of tails) by linear regression of CPUE (U) on effort
using the Schaeffer model. Optimum effort was estimated at 84·0
(± s.e. 11·8) 103 trawl-hours, and an
equation for the yield (CE) for a
given effort (E) was derived as
CE =
13·5E – (8·31
10-2)E2.
Application of the CLIMPROD program to Gulf of Papua yield and effort and
seasonal rainfall inputs resulted in validated modelling of the fishery.
CLIMPROD selected a Schaeffer model for the CPUE–effort relationship
(U = a +
bE). When CLIMPROD incorporated rainfall
(V), the model used was =
UaV(b+c)
+
dV(2b)E
(linear–exponential–exponential), where rainfall influences
abundance and catchability. For 1974–93 overall, effort was by far the
chief determinant of yield. The model using regionally averaged total rainfall
in the fourth quarter and unstandardized effort data explained only an extra
5% of the variation in the following year’s catch over the model
using effort alone. Standardization of effort data by 3% probably
approximates the real effort applied more accurately than does recorded
effort.
Water quality and phytoplankton dynamics in Moreton Bay, south-eastern Queensland. I. Field survey and satellite data
Authors: McEwan James , Gabric Albert J. , Bell Peter R. F.
Published: August 2004

The water quality of Moreton Bay, a sub-tropical estuarine embayment in
south-eastern Queensland, was monitored over a 2-year period. Surveys
in situ and ground-truthed satellite imagery were used
to describe the temporal and spatial variability in water-quality indicators
and the level of eutrophication. Strong east–west gradients in
chlorophyll α and water clarity were found. During the study period
fluvial discharges, which all enter on the western littoral, were below their
long-term averages, and nutrient loading to the bay was dominated by
point-source wastewater discharges along the western boundary. The data
suggest that although the impact of nutrient loads on the bay’s eastern
side is mitigated by tidal intrusion of oceanic water, the western areas are
already degraded and can be considered mesotrophic to eutrophic. This part of
the bay may deteriorate further with the projected future population expansion
in the bay’s catchment.
Electrophoretic evidence for the presence of the undescribed ‘Bellinger’ catfish (Tandanus sp.) (Teleostei : Plotosidae) in four New South Wales mid-northern coastal rivers
Authors: Jerry Dean R. , Woodland David J.
Published: August 2004

Genetic data were collected from eight allopatric populations of the common
freshwater catfish, Tandanus tandanus. Catfish sampled
from the New South Wales (NSW) mid-northern coastal rivers of the Bellinger,
Macleay, Hastings and Manning exhibited fixed allelic differences from
T. tandanus from the type locality (Namoi River) at four
enzymatic loci (GPI-1*,
EST*, UMB-1* and
UMB-2*), suggesting that, collectively, catfish from
these four river systems constitute an undescribed species of
Tandanus. Catfish from the northern coastal rivers of
NSW (Tweed, Richmond and Clarence) displayed a complex pattern of population
structure that was not fully resolved by the present study. More work is
needed on the complex assemblage of populations of eel-tailed catfish in the
eastern coastal drainages of Australia.
Spatial distribution of littoral invertebrates in the lower Murray - Darling River system, Australia
Authors: Sheldon Fran , Walker Keith F.
Published: August 2004

The abundance and richness of macroinvertebrates in the lower Murray and
Darling rivers were examined at a macroscale (rivers), mesoscale (billabongs,
backwaters, channel) and microscale (vegetation, snags, substrata). In the
Darling, insects dominated (85% of taxa, 81% of individuals);
the richest taxa were Diptera (26 taxa) and Coleoptera (15 taxa) and the most
abundant were Hemiptera (47%) and Diptera (35%). In the Murray,
insects again dominated (84% of taxa, 52% of individuals),
particularly Diptera (22 taxa), Coleoptera (12 taxa) and Hemiptera (9 taxa),
but there were more crustaceans (9% of taxa, 47% of individuals,
particularly the atyid shrimp Paratya australiensis).
Both assemblages were uneven: in the Darling, >50% of biomass was
Micronecta spp. (Corixidae),
Dicrotendipes sp. (Chironomidae) and
Macrobrachium australiense (Palaemonidae); in the
Murray, 70% of biomass was P. australiensis and
Caridina mccullochi (Atyidae) and the insects
Micronecta spp. (Corixidae) and
Chironomus sp. (Chironomidae). Abundances generally were
greatest in the Murray. Hydrologic and geomorphic factors influenced
assemblages at the macroscale, whereas microhabitat diversity dominated at the
mesoscale.
Effects of native and exotic forest on benthic stream biota in New Zealand: a colonization study
Authors: Friberg Nikolai , Winterbourn Michael J.
Published: August 2004

Algal biomass, microbial activity and invertebrate colonization were
investigated in 20 streams in the South Island, New Zealand. Sixteen streams
drained catchments with native or exotic forest and four were unshaded,
non-forested sites. Algal biomass on stones was highest at the unshaded sites
and was greater at forested sites east of the Alpine Divide than at forested
sites on the western side. Algal biomass on nutrient-diffusion substrata also
showed significant location (east > west) and nutrient effects. However,
responses to nutrient additions were variable among stream groups, with
unshaded and eastern native-forest streams showing the strongest response.
Abundances of invertebrates (mainly Chironomidae) colonizing diffusion
substrata were positively correlated with algal biomass in eastern native
forest streams and unshaded streams but not the other treatments. Microbial
activity, expressed as loss in weight of cellulose cloth over a three-week
period, was unaffected by location/vegetation type but increased
significantly in response to nutrient additions.
A multivariate method for determining optimal subsample size in the analysis of macroinvertebrate samples
Authors: Walsh C. J.
Published: August 2004

The depauperate macroinvertebrate communities of two disturbed urban streams
were used to demonstrate a technique for determining optimal subsample size
for the multivariate representation of community structure. Although
multivariate analyses have commonly been applied to subsampled data, the
effect of subsampling on multivariate patterns has not previously been
investigated in detail. The minimum requirement for applying the method is
eight fully processed community samples distributed across two treatments,
with n = 4 (being a representative subset of a
larger study to which subsampling will be applied). The data from each sample
are subsampled repeatedly with the aid of a simulation program. Variation in
community structure between treatments is tested by analysis of similarity for
the complete data and for multiple sets of subsampled data. The optimal
subsampling strategy is defined as the minimum effort required to achieve a
median R-statistic no less than the value derived for
the complete data. Subsampling to a fixed proportion is a less efficient
strategy than subsampling to a fixed number of individuals. For the urban
stream communities, subsampling to 300 individuals was adequate for four out
of six comparisons and was adequate for all comparisons when a minimum
proportion of 10% was applied. Several non-abundant taxa were found to
be important contributors to differences between treatments. Subsamples need
to be large enough to adequately estimate the abundance of such taxa. Further
investigation is required to assess the relationship between optimal subsample
size for multivariate analysis and the shape of cumulative species-abundance
curves.
Distribution of external parasites indicates boundaries to dispersal of sillaginid fishes in the Indo-West Pacific
Authors: Hayward Craig J.
Published: August 2004

The distribution of sillaginid-specific ectoparasites permits the distinction
of two provinces with high parasite diversity: one on the continental shelf of
Australia, and one on the shelf of Asia. The Australian province has 15
endemics (five monogeneans, one leech and nine copepods), and the Asian
province has 14 endemics (two monogeneans and 12 copepods). These provinces
are separated by a region with coastlines that descend very steeply to the
ocean floor and by deep ocean waters that largely inhibit sillaginid
movements. Some sillaginids must have dispersed across eastern Indonesia,
however, leading to the occurrence of four parasites in both provinces. Three
Australian parasites also appear to be presently encroaching onto the southern
periphery of the Asian shelf. At least one less-recent invasion of Australian
waters by Asian sillaginids would account for the occurrence of six pairs of
copepod congeners that have one member in each province. The most widespread
sillaginid, Sillago sihama, seems to have dispersed to
African shores from the Arabian Sea as planktonic larvae only (no Asian
parasites were present in samples of 29 hosts) and relatively recently (only
one locally endemic parasite appears to have been acquired).
Distribution and incidence patterns of Boeckella, Calamoecia, and Hemiboeckella (Copepoda : Calanoida) in Western Australia
Authors: Maly Edward J. , Halse Stuart A. , Maly Mary P.
Published: August 2004

Surveys of 196 lakes and ponds in Western Australia showed that most species
of the centropagid copepods Boeckella,
Calamoecia and Hemiboeckella have
low incidence, although a few are common within restricted geographic areas.
Records of co-occurrences indicate that many species have broadly overlapping
ecological requirements, suggesting that dispersal or historical events are
more important determinants of incidence and distribution than is colonization
ability. However, some species prefer or are restricted to specialized
environments. The roles of history, recent natural dispersal, and recent
human-mediated dispersal in moulding present-day distributions are discussed.
It is concluded that most species have low dispersal ability and that
historical events have played a major role in determining present-day
distribution patterns, although local dispersal and some human-mediated local
and long-range dispersal have influenced incidence and distribution patterns.