Quilpie mesquite (Prosopis velutina) is an invasive woody weed that is believed to have been intr... more Quilpie mesquite (Prosopis velutina) is an invasive woody weed that is believed to have been introduced into south-west Queensland in the 1930s. Following the withdrawal of 2,4,5-T, research on P. pallida resulted in revised recommendations for control of all Prosopis spp. in Queensland. Adoption of many of these recommendations for Quilpie mesquite control produced substandard results. Following a pilot trial, a shade-house experiment was conducted to determine the differences in susceptibility of two species of mesquite, P. velutina and P. pallida, to commonly available herbicides. It was hypothesized that P. velutina was less susceptible than P. pallida, based upon claims that the registered chemical recommendations for Prosopis spp. were not sufficiently effective on P. velutina. Nine foliar herbicide treatments were applied to potted shade-house plants. Treatment effects indicated differing susceptibility between the two species. P. velutina consistently showed less response to metsulfuron, fluroxypyr, 2,4-D/picloram and triclopyr/picloram, compared to the glyphosate formulations, where negligible differences occurred between the two species. The response to glyphosate was poor at all rates in this experiment. Re-application of herbicides to surviving plants indicated that susceptibility can decrease when follow-up application is in autumn and the time since initial application is short. The relationship between leaf structure and the volume of spray adhering to a plant was assessed across species. The herbicide captured by similar-sized plants of each species differed, with P. pallida retaining a greater volume of herbicide.
This report presents data on the C-footprint expressed as t CO2-e/ha for a number of vegetable en... more This report presents data on the C-footprint expressed as t CO2-e/ha for a number of vegetable enterprises in Bundaberg in comparison with cane and tree crops in the same location and vegetable enterprises in Bowen and the Lockyer Valley. The data serve as a benchmark against which other enterprises can be compared, and as a point of reference for the adoption of improved more efficient use of [and reduced emissions from] fertilizer N and energy sources, both stationary and transport.Associated Grant:This project has been funded by HAL using voluntary contributions from CQUniversity and matched funds from the Australian Government. We also acknowledge the valuable in-kind contributions by DEEDI and information afforded by growers, upon which this report is based, and without which the research would not have been possible
10th World Water Congress: Water, the Worlds Most Important Resource, 2000
ABSTRACT An alternative on-site wastewater reuse system for rural domestic households is currentl... more ABSTRACT An alternative on-site wastewater reuse system for rural domestic households is currently being trialed in Central Queensland, Australia. The system combines hydroponic principles with existing septic and grey water disposal technology. Traditional on-site wastewater principles combined with biological nutrient removal techniques are used to treat the wastewater. The wastewater from the non-sewered household is first treated by a septic tank or a vertical greasetrap, depending on its source. The black and grey water is then mixed together in a holding tank and pumped to sub-surface waterwell pots in which various plant species are grown. The system is fully contained, any excess water that is not used in plant transpiration is returned to the holding tank. This system of modified hydroponics enables resilience by the plants to otherwise toxic levels of nutrients, and perhaps heavy metals, at concentrations normally detrimental to plant health, and lends itself to the dissipation of water containing high levels of ions. A trial site has been operating in Rockhampton since June 1997. Multiple test sites spread across six shires will be in place by the end of 1999. Research is focusing on plant-water relations, nutrient removal, heavy metal and salt accumulations, and in the future, pathogenic analysis.
Quilpie mesquite (Prosopis velutina) is an invasive woody weed that is believed to have been intr... more Quilpie mesquite (Prosopis velutina) is an invasive woody weed that is believed to have been introduced into south-west Queensland in the 1930s. Following the withdrawal of 2,4,5-T, research on P. pallida resulted in revised recommendations for control of all Prosopis spp. in Queensland. Adoption of many of these recommendations for Quilpie mesquite control produced substandard results. Following a pilot trial, a shade-house experiment was conducted to determine the differences in susceptibility of two species of mesquite, P. velutina and P. pallida, to commonly available herbicides. It was hypothesized that P. velutina was less susceptible than P. pallida, based upon claims that the registered chemical recommendations for Prosopis spp. were not sufficiently effective on P. velutina. Nine foliar herbicide treatments were applied to potted shade-house plants. Treatment effects indicated differing susceptibility between the two species. P. velutina consistently showed less response to metsulfuron, fluroxypyr, 2,4-D/picloram and triclopyr/picloram, compared to the glyphosate formulations, where negligible differences occurred between the two species. The response to glyphosate was poor at all rates in this experiment. Re-application of herbicides to surviving plants indicated that susceptibility can decrease when follow-up application is in autumn and the time since initial application is short. The relationship between leaf structure and the volume of spray adhering to a plant was assessed across species. The herbicide captured by similar-sized plants of each species differed, with P. pallida retaining a greater volume of herbicide.
This report presents data on the C-footprint expressed as t CO2-e/ha for a number of vegetable en... more This report presents data on the C-footprint expressed as t CO2-e/ha for a number of vegetable enterprises in Bundaberg in comparison with cane and tree crops in the same location and vegetable enterprises in Bowen and the Lockyer Valley. The data serve as a benchmark against which other enterprises can be compared, and as a point of reference for the adoption of improved more efficient use of [and reduced emissions from] fertilizer N and energy sources, both stationary and transport.Associated Grant:This project has been funded by HAL using voluntary contributions from CQUniversity and matched funds from the Australian Government. We also acknowledge the valuable in-kind contributions by DEEDI and information afforded by growers, upon which this report is based, and without which the research would not have been possible
10th World Water Congress: Water, the Worlds Most Important Resource, 2000
ABSTRACT An alternative on-site wastewater reuse system for rural domestic households is currentl... more ABSTRACT An alternative on-site wastewater reuse system for rural domestic households is currently being trialed in Central Queensland, Australia. The system combines hydroponic principles with existing septic and grey water disposal technology. Traditional on-site wastewater principles combined with biological nutrient removal techniques are used to treat the wastewater. The wastewater from the non-sewered household is first treated by a septic tank or a vertical greasetrap, depending on its source. The black and grey water is then mixed together in a holding tank and pumped to sub-surface waterwell pots in which various plant species are grown. The system is fully contained, any excess water that is not used in plant transpiration is returned to the holding tank. This system of modified hydroponics enables resilience by the plants to otherwise toxic levels of nutrients, and perhaps heavy metals, at concentrations normally detrimental to plant health, and lends itself to the dissipation of water containing high levels of ions. A trial site has been operating in Rockhampton since June 1997. Multiple test sites spread across six shires will be in place by the end of 1999. Research is focusing on plant-water relations, nutrient removal, heavy metal and salt accumulations, and in the future, pathogenic analysis.
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