Rainfall Simulator Extension Tour: ‘Orion Downs’ Orion

Level 1 General description

Purpose:

A rainfall simulator was used to examine the influence of different management options on infiltration of rainfall and runoff.

Methods (brief)

The rainfall simulator was applied to the following four plots:

A) Freshly cultivated and pits created similar to an adjacent pitted area Dimpled (cover 10%).

B) Cultivated with a shovel to create conditions similar to those left behind a scarifier (same tilth as plot A).The soil surface was furrowed on the contour, referred to as Scarified (cover 10%).

C) Wheat stubble recently harvested and scarified; described as Scarified (cover 2%).

D) Not cultivated, some cracks were present and standing stubble provided surface cover, referred to as Uncultivated (75% cover).

Key findings (brief)

• After 'rain' (75mm) water in A, B and C had only penetrated 10 cm
• Contour furrows held 5% more water compared to pits at this site.
• Scarified treatment C started running off very quickly (10 min/15 mm rain)
• Cultivating soil which had cracks increased runoff compared to uncultivated soil.
• Water which entered the soil via cracks is less likely to be lost as evaporation.

Various clippings

Location

‘Orion Downs’ - Orion

Related studies

‘Enderley’, Gindie; ‘Kurrajong’, Capella; ‘Maryland’, Retro; ‘Innesfree’, Wolfgang; ‘Tarvellon’, Kilcummin; ‘Bundella’ Wallumbilla; ‘Twin-Butts’ Wandoan; ‘The Limes’ Chinchilla; ‘Moruya’ Goondiwindi; ‘Forest Park’ Warwick

Key references and sources of this data synthesis

These data summaries have been extracted from:

Freebairn D, Wockner G, Huff S, Agnew J, Carroll C, Halpin M, Douglas N, Wade J. 1992. Rainfall simulator extension tour: central Queensland 27-29^th October 1992.