School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences - Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 187
  • Item
    No Preview Available
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Selected papers
    Downes, R. G. (Ronald Geoffrey), 1916-1985 (University of Melbourne, 1972)
    These selected papers are submitted for examination for the degree of Doctor of Agricultural Science bearing in mind the need to demonstrate that they should constitute - (i) "Substantial published contributions to science applied to some branch of agriculture"; (ii) "Evidence of research and ability satisfactory to the examiners". To this end the papers have been grouped in the following manner. Group I - Papers which collectively provide evidence of the evolution and development of principles and methods for studying land to provide the ecological information needed to determine its capability for various kinds of land-use and so enable better decisions to achieve conservation of natural resources. 1. Soil, land-use and erosion survey around Dookie, Victoria. CSIRO Bull. No. 243, 1949. 2. Soils of the Macquarie Region N.:. . CSIRO Soil Publication No. 4, 1955. 3. Principles and methods of ecological surveys for land-use purposes. Papers for Australian Soils Conference, 1957. 4. Reconnaissance survey of the ecology and land-use in the catchment of the Glenmaggie Reservoir. Soil Conservation Authority Tech. Pubn. No. 1, 1960. 5. A study of the land in north-western Victoria. Soil. Cons. Auth. Tech. Pubn. No. 2, 1963. 6. A study of the land in south-western Victoria. Soil Cons. Auth. Tech. Pubn. No. 3, 1964. 7. The role of humans in land evaluation. CSIRO-UNESCO Symposium on Land Evaluation, Canberra, 1968. Group II - Papers that report results of original research as evidence of contributions to scientific knowledge and its significance as the basis for work by others. 8. The use of the hydrometer for the mechanical analysis of soils. Journ. CSIR Vol. 17, 1944. 9. Tunnelling erosion in north-eastern Victoria. Journ. CSIR Vol. 19, 1946. 10. Studies in the variation of soil reaction - I Field variations at Barooga N.S.W Aust. Journ. Agric. Res. Vol. 2, 1951. 11. Cyclic salt as a dominant factor in the genesis of soils in south-eastern Australia. Aust. Journ. Agric. Res. Vol. 5, 19514. 12. The effect of subterranean clover an Wimmera rye grass in controlling surface run-off from four-acre catchments near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Aust. Journ. Exp. Agric. & An. Husb. Vol. 2, 1962. Group III - Papers which indicate the application of a conceptual philosophy of conservation based on ecological principles to tae solution of problems of land-use, soil conservation and agriculture. 13. The Westgate Planning Project. Soil Cons. Auth. Pubn. 1953. 14. Conservation problems on solodic soils in Victoria. Journ. Soil & Water Cons. (USA), Vol. 11, 1956. 15. Land management problems following disturbance of the hydrologic balance of environments in Victoria. Proc. 7th Tech. Meeting IUCN, Athens. 1958. 16. Soil salinity in non-irrigated arable and pastoral land as the result of unbalance of the hydrologic cycle. Proc. UNESCO-Arid hone Symposium on Salinity Problems, Teheran, 1958. 17. The ecology and prevention of soil erosion. Chapter XXX - Biogeography and ecology in Australia. Publishers Junk - The Hague, 1959. 18. The water balance and land-use. Proc. Aust. Acad. Sci. Nat. Symposium on Water Resources, Use & Management. Melb. Univ. Press, 1963. 19. The rehabilitation of degraded land for agricultural and pastoral production. ANZAAS, Canberra, 1964. 20. The correlation of failure of earthen dams with environmental features - Colloquium on Failure of Small Earth. Dams - CSIRO, , 1964. 21. Agrometeorology in relation to the control of soil erosion - United Nations .O. Regional Seminar on Agrorneteorology. Melb., 1966. 22. Dryland farming - principles of applying conservation methods in Australia. T roc. Int. Lech. Dryland Farmg. Conf. - Deere Co. and. F.A.C., oline USA, 1969. Group IV - Papers which collectively demonstrate the extension of the conceptual philosophy of conservation as applied to soil conservation and agricultural problems to those related to tie conservation of all natural resources and its application as a basis for influencing social, political, legal and administrative activities in relation to them. 23. The Victorian High plains - The environment and its use. Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. Vol. 75, 1962. 24. Soil conservation - ho is responsible? - from Coil conservation in the Pacific - Tenth Pacific Science Congress Series, University of Hawaii Press, 1963. 25. Conservation and the community. Journ. Soil & Water Cons. (USA) Vol. 20, 1965, 26. Nature reserves and National larks in relation to the conservation of man's environment. Aust. Journ. Sci. Vol. 30 196', 27. The conflict between conservation and exploitation of natural resources - Paper to ANZAAS Regional Symposium on The planning and management of Australia's natural resources. Univ. New England, 1967. 28. Soil conservation in Iran - Consultant report to F.A.O., 1967. 29. Resources of East Gippsland - Summary of Symposium - Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict. Vol. 82, 1969. 30. Soil Conservation Law in Australia - Soil. Cons. Authority Pubn., 1970. 31. Criteria for resolving conflict about land-use - Aust. Cons. Found. Seminar on Conservation & Wining, Syd. 1971. 32. Management of conservation reserves - ANZAAS Symposium, Brisbane, 1971.
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Observations on fomes pomaceus (pers.) big. & guill. infecting plum trees ; An investigation of sooty moulds with particular reference to their taxonomy and their growth in culture
    Fisher, Eileen. (University of Melbourne, 1974)
    I. The Taxonomy of "Sooty Mould "-Fungi. 1. Existing schemes of classification are discussed. 2. A classification is offered in which, the inaccuracies of other taxonomic schemas, are corrected. 3. "Sooty Moulds� are arranged, according to the macroscopic appearance of their growth, into four groups. 4. Diagnostic features are given for five families of ��sooty mould"-genera. 5. The families Capnodiaceae v. Hohn. and Chaetothyriaceae Th. are emended. A key to the identification of the genera Included in each of these families Is given. 6. Chaetothyrium Citri (Arn.) nov. comb. is recorded for the first time in Australia. 7. A new species, Phycopsis australiensis is described. II. An Instigation of the Cultural Behaviour of some "Sooty Mould" Fungi with reference to Climatic Conditions. 1. Eight species which, were isolated from epiphytic moulds, are included in this study. 2. A preliminary survey is made of the nutritional recuirementa of these species. 3. The methods used for recording measurements of colony-size and for calculating the rate of growth are described. 4. Measurement is made of the growth occurring at the following temperatures: 10�C., 15�C., 18�C., 20�C. and 25�C. The optimum growth temperatures determined for seven "sooty mould" endemics lie between 15�C and 20�C. 5. The methods which were adopted for growing these fungi under conditions of controlled atmospheric humidity are described. 6. The humidity growth-rate relations determined here are similar to those of fungi from quite unrelated habitats. 7. The geographic distribution of epiphytic "sooty moulds" is discussed in relation to the temperature and humidity requirements of the species examined here. The temperature-growth relations of the Capnodiaceae species do not confirm the assumption that high temperatures are favourable, rather It would appear that growth is active during the winter months. 8. It la suggested that the deciduous nature of the flora in cool temperate regions is responsible for the almost entire absence of the Capnodiaceae in these regions.
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    A study of pathological and ecological factors causing root-rot of subterranean clover (T.subterraneum L.)
    Kellock, A. W. (Anthony William), 1939- (University of Melbourne, 1975)
    The studies reported in this thesis were conducted by the writer at the School of Agriculture and Forestry University of Melbourne, during a two-year period of study leave from the Victorian Department of Agriculture, within the years 1972-1973. This work extends and consolidates research which was commenced almost simultaneously and independently at both the School of Agriculture and Forestry and the Victorian Plant Research Institute, Department of Agriculture in 1970, to investigate a serious root rot disease of subterranean clover in Victoria.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Wettability, surface tension and venturi scrubber performance
    Atkinson, David Scott Forman. (University of Melbourne, 1973)
    The addition of a wetting agent or detergent to the liquor of both model and industrial venturi scrubbers, markedly improves particulate collection efficiency. A study of the literature Indicated that an explanation for the improvement was not available. However, it would appear that the role of the wetting agent is to reduce surface tension which could either reduce the drop size or increase the drop-particle attachment or both. A reduction in drop size would improve efficiency if either the impaction or diffusion mechanism of aerodynamic collection was operating. A number of empirical equations have been developed to correlate the operating parameters of an air-liquid atomizer with the drop size distribution generated. These equations differ as to the role of surface tension and there has been only one detailed experimental study under conditions similar to those in a venturi scrubber. Changes in surface tension of water have not been studied as a single variable and it was decided to do this in a model venturi scrubber. The venturi was operated so that drops rather than clouds (composed of ultra-fine drops) were generated. The break-up of the liquid jet and the drops were photographed. The drop size distribtuions for water and water solutions of an ionic and non-ionic detergent giving minimum surface tensions were obtained. There was no statistical significance in the difference between the means of the three distributions and indeed little difference between the shape of the curves. It is concluded that reduction in surface tension of water on addition of a detergent does not influence the drop size distribution in a venturi scrubber. This is thought to be due to the fact that a detergent will only reduce the surface tension of water at the water surface. The inter-molecular attraction within the bulk of the water is not changed on addition of detergent. Thus, when a water jet is rapidly atomized the detergent has insufficient time to spread to or over the newly created surfaces. At the moment of atomization, the surface tension of the solution of detergent in water is effectively that of water alone and hence the drop size is not altered. Addition of detergent does improve venturi scrubber performance and it could do so by increasing the attachment of particles to drops. Alternatively, the bubbles which are formed only after the addition of detergent, may collapse into very fine drops which could act as highly effective collectors for sub-micron particles. Agreement between the median drop diameters obtained in this work and those predicted from the empirical equation of Ingebo and Foster was satisfactory.
  • Item
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Soil-plant relationships : with particular reference to soil physical properties and root growth
    Barley, K. P. (University of Melbourne, 1974)
    The candidate was admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Agricultural Science (1948) and Master of Agricultural Science (1952) in the University of Melbourne. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (1958) by the University of Adelaide. The candidate is eligible, subject to approval of the Faculty of Agriculture, for candidature for the degree of Doctor of Agricultural Science. This thesis is submitted to the University of Melbourne towards the requirements for that degree. The experiments described in the thesis were conducted chiefly at the C.S.I.R.O Regional Pastoral Laboratory, Deniliquin, New South Wales (l950-54), and at the Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide (1955 onwards). During these periods, one year, 1952, was spent at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, and another, 1961, at the Department of Soils and Plant Nutrition, University of California, Berkeley. Part of 1968 was spent at the Department of Botany, University of Edinburgh. The papers presented in the thesis deal with processes operating in soil-plant systems of agronomic interest. Although the work has not, for the most part, been immediately applied to agriculture by the candidate, it is hoped that it may lead to a better understanding of principles that affect soil management. The work is viewed as a contribution to the scientific study of the soil as a medium for the growth of crops. A short account of the general development of the work is followed by sections dealing with particular subjects. The following sequence is adopted for each subject: Firstly the relevant papers of the candidate are listed in chronological order. Secondly, the papers are discussed in relation to other published work. Finally, the candidate's papers are assembled, also in chronological order. References to papers mentioned in discussion are given at the end of the thesis.
  • Item
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    The uptake and distribution of nitrogen by two wheat varieties and their growth response to soil nitrogen
    Dalling, Michael J. (University of Melbourne, 1971)
    In many areas of the world human hunger prevails as a result of a shortage of food. Malnutrition due to low-quality diet is even more common, occurring in many areas where food supplies are adequate to meet caloric requirements. A common cause of malnutrition is shortage of high quality protein. Since wheat and other cereals provide one-half of the world's calories and one-third of the world's protein, any increase in the productivity of these crops may have far-reaching importance. Throughout the world there is an increasing use of nitrogen fertilizers in an attempt to increase grain yield and grain protein. However, in the major grain-growing regions of Australia the benefits obtained from nitrogen fertilizers have been small. While the present practice of having clover-ley pastures as an integral part of the rotation persists, and while the presently available wheat varieties continue to be used, it is doubtful whether nitrogen fertilization will be of any wide-spread value in Australia. However, because of the recently introduced restrictions on farm output of wheat, it is likely that emphasis will be placed on maximizing yield per acre in order to devote the maximum portion of the farm acreage to other enterprises. This may cause a change in farm rotations and result in a more intensive use of smaller areas. In this situation supplemental nitrogen may well be of value. The overall objective of this study was to relate the growth of the wheat crop to the level of mineral nitrogen (nitrate-N and ammonium-N) in the soil throughout the season. The soil nitrogen was varied by applying fertilizer nitrogen at both different rates and different times. Also different varieties were used because there is an accumulating body of evidence that some aspects of nitrogen assimilation by plants are under genetic control and can therefore be manipulated by the plant breeder (Hageman, Leng and Dudley, 1967; Beevers and Hageman,1969). The capacity of the plant to take up nitrogen from the soil and to use it efficiently and eventually deposit it in the grain is an important determinant of grain yield and grain protein. These aspects have received special attention in the present study.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    An evaluation of management by objectives as a planning system in a government veterinary service
    Wroth, Robert Harold ( 197-?)
    The need, for field officers, of State Departments of Agriculture to plan their work has been recognized for many years. In the last 10 years particular attention has been paid to program planning by Extension officers. However, it has become apparent that program planning is not being used effectively. Reasons for this range from the lack of defined organizational objectives to difficulties associated with planning at the individual level. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of introducing MBO into a Department of Agriculture and its effectiveness in overcoming planning difficulties. In order to test this a MBO system was used to plan for the eradication of bovine Brucellosis by two country regions of the Division of Animal Health in the Victorian Department of Agriculture. Two other regions acted as controls and prepared plans without MBO. The effectiveness of MBO was evaluated on the criteria of involvement and participation of field officers, their job satisfaction, job dissatisfaction, understanding of the plans and the MBO process and the importance of aspects for planning. The major finding was the difference in response of Officers at higher and lower levels of authority and responsibility. Those at higher levels viewed MBO more favourably than those at lower levels, and consequently considered they had significantly more involvement and participation than previously. The study also highlighted deficiencies that existed, such as confusion as to lines of responsibility and lack of two way communication between Regional and Head Office staff, and showed how this can lead to increased job dissatisfaction. The work to be performed was not seen as personally satisfying, thus lowering job satisfaction, and so reduced the apparent success of MBO. However, the overall conclusion was that MBO was a realistic system to use for planning by Department of Agriculture personnel and that it did overcome problems associated with program planning. General and specific recommendations on the use of MBO are made.