Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Collected Works - Theses
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ItemThe effect of Bonzi (Paclobutrazol) on height and flowering of the paper daisies Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp.rosea and Rhodanthe manglesii( 1994)The pink paper daisies Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp.rosea and Rhodanthe manglesii are Western Australian wild flowers bush harvested as cut flowers. They produce numbers of showy, long lasting inflorescences at the tips of 50 to 60cm tall stems in spring. The growth retardant Bonzi(R) (paclobutrazol) was applied to both species as soil drenches or whole plant sprays alone or combined seed soaks and drenches. The retardant was applied at various concentrations and times, to determine if plant height could be reduced for pot plant production. Growth was measured weekly and recorded on a graph of maximum/TinimuT desired height (20-30cm). After initial treatments on week 4, all treatments were applied using Graphical Tracking techniques, that is, when actual growth deviated above the maximum height line. Plant height was suppressed with all applications of Bonzi(R) (paclobutrazol). Increasing both the rate and number of applications of BonznK)(pac1obutrazo1) led to an increase in shoot suppression, flowering time and number. The combined seed soak (400ppm Bonzi(R)) and multiple drench application (Bonzi(R) 4mg ai/pot x 3) was most effective in suppressing shoot elongation of R.chlorocephala subsp.rosea with plants 41% shorter than untreated plants. lowering was delayed and numbers reduced, but the compact plants had sufficient numbers of flowers at the end of the trial period to appeal to consumers. Bonzi(R) caused very noticeable delays in flowering in all treated Rhodanthe manglesii plants. The 4mg drenches, (4mg ai/pot x 3) gave the most satisfactory result producing plants 38% shorter than untreated controls but some pots had not flowered by the termination of the trial. The best results, in respect to height, were again the combination seed soak plus drench, with only a single 4mg drench application required to reduce height by 48%, but germination was suppressed excessively and flowering was unacceptably delayed. Although growth was suppressed significantly by whole plant sprays none were saleable due to the unsightly chlorotic foliage effects on both species.
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ItemTaylors Creek revegetation analysis of plant establishment( 1988)Plant survival data was collected from parts of the Taylors Creek revegetation site approximately eighteen months post planting to determine the overall percentage survival rate of all species in the sample and the percentage survival rate of each species in the sample. This data is used to consider the efficacy of rationale and technique employed in the revegetation of Taylors Creek during 1986. Data was collected by a field survey of a randomly selected sample of planting areas comprising 12 percent of the total planting. Total percentage survival of the sample was 46 percent and the survival of each species ranged from 0 to 100 percent with a survival rate of 58 percent for the group of species best represented in the sample.
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ItemConservation analysis of Burnley Gardens( 1994)V.C.A.H Burnley is a horticultural college surrounded by a historic landscape. The gardens were first established by the Horticultural Society of Victoria in 1863 for the acclimatisation of exotic plants especially fruit trees and in 1891 it became a School of Horticulture. A Significant Tree Study and Tree Census provides a current record of the vegetation and its condition. Through a series of maps and verbal descriptions the study depicts the changes that have occurred in the gardens from the 1860s to the present culminating in a Statement of Significance. To ensure the historical integrity of the gardens remains intact, a conservation policy has been formulated which has guided the development of the management recommendations.
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ItemBurnley Gardens landscape conservation analysis( 2002)Burnley Gardens has a history spanning 140 years. Its history parallels much of Victoria's history. From its earliest beginnings in 1861, it was involved in the assessment of produce for the growing colony. This vital work was undertaken by a group of prominent citizens, including Ferdinand von Mueller, and their society later became Victoria's Royal Horticultural Society. A victim of Australia's first Depression, Burnley Gardens was acquired in 1891 by the Victorian government, where it established Australia's first school of horticulture. So began its role in horticultural education in Australia, championing educational opportunities for women at a time when these were both controversial and limited. By promoting their admission and in many cases employing them as teachers, it provided support for the tenuous careers of Australia's pioneering women landscape designers. The changing needs of the workforce and the economy meant a shift in emphasis between production horticulture, agriculture, and amenity horticulture. Throughout au these changes, the grounds were used as an outdoor laboratory, with trialling of plants and education of students and the public undertaken. Burnley graduates were employed throughout Australia in every sphere of horticulture, and the Burnley method of horticultural practice was widespread throughout the country, influencing generations of people in the horticultural field. As a government institution, social policy was also implemented at Burnley. The initial geometric and symmetrical form of Burnley Gardens was redesigned between 1897 and 1907 in the English derived 'free' or landscape style, and though an actively utilised teaching garden, it has matured into a landscape of great ambience and beauty. Throughout its long history, Burnley Gardens has provided pleasure and respite from the neighbouring industrialized experience of Richmond, and for the wider Melbourne community. Burnley Gardens is of historic, social, scientific and aesthetic cultural significance to Victoria and Australia and holds a unique place in the history of this country.
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ItemThe effectiveness of using native species for revegetation along urban waterways( 2000)This project investigates the effectiveness of using native plant species for revegetation along urban waterways. Five previously revegetated sites along Melbourne's linear waterways were studied. These sites include Diamond Creek, Merri Creek at Blyth Street and Hall Reserve, Plenty River and Taylor's Creek. Revegetation techniques were studied in order to determine the most successful strategies for urban revegetation. Observational techniques and surveys were used to evaluate the success of each individual project sites. All sites largely succeeded in achieving their original project aims, which included the use of indigenous vegetation, restoration of wildlife corridors, encouragement of passive recreation and use of regular maintenance. Criteria were used to assess the successful achievement of these aims, and `extra criteria' were developed to evaluate the success of other revegetation goals. The sites largely achieved satisfactory results for the extra criteria. Findings indicate a direct association between average leaf litter cover and average weed cover. This shows that high priority should be given to control and prevention of weeds through the application of mulch, and the development of strategies to increase leaf litter cover. Data also establishes that successful revegetation requires adequate planning, site preparation, site maintenance, consideration of landscape values and public awareness. The data enabled the development of recommendations, which can be used in the implementation of successful revegetation projects in the future.
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ItemThe Burnley Garden conservation plan 1939-1999( 1999)This report is intended to form part II of a Conservation Plan for the Burnley gardens, which will assist in the conservation, and preservation of the Burnley Gardens located on the Yarra Boulevard, Richmond. The gardens have a long and rich history, the inception of the Royal Horticultural Society in 1863 provided the foundation for the Department of Agriculture. Horticultural and Agricultural practices and principals were taught for many years at Burnley and during this time the gardens have seen change and evolution to today where Horticultural training is practiced. They hold immense social, historical and scientific significance. The importance of this site cannot be underestimated and as a result thoughtful and strategic planning is needed in future management decisions. The Conservation Plan for the Burnley Gardens 1939-1999, forms the main part of this report and follows the internationally accepted Burra Charter in its format and language. This plan collates and analyzes the garden's history, identifies its value, and recommends policies that will both retain the garden's desirable ambience and guide it future use, giving due respect to the evolution of the student teaching component the gardens have fulfilled.
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ItemA history of Burnley Gardens 1860-1939( 2000)Historic Burnley Gardens in Richmond, Victoria are now part of the University of Melbourne. Horticultural and educational activities have existed on this site since the 1860's and 1890's respectively, with the Gardens initially established for testing fruit and produce to introduce into cultivation in the new colony of Victoria. Despite previous research into the history of the Gardens, the very early period around the time of establishment was not clear, and while it was known that many old and venerable trees grew on the site, it was not clear when they were planted, or the form that the early layout of the Gardens took. A two part research project was undertaken to answer these questions. Using documentary evidence and oral histories (where possible), the history of the Gardens from 1860 to 1939 was examined. A physical survey of the grounds was then carried out to determine what remained today from that period. Early photographs, plant lists, maps and plans were used to determine the position of previous driveways, fences and garden borders. Maps were drawn up to show the physical evolution of the Gardens over the time period being examined. As the Gardens' planting and design largely reflected the educational themes of the school on the site since education began on it in 1891, these themes have been linked to the Gardens' development. The remaining plant material such as trees, shrubs and climbers, path layout and surfacing material, buildings, rock structures, and water features were examined and recorded. The Gardens as it was up to 1939 was then contrasted with the Gardens as it is at the present time, with remaining plantings, layout and features identified. As a result, the history of the Burnley Gardens from 1860 to 1939 was able to be clarified, and a surprisingly large amount of extant material found.