Information
Hydrology, sediment and erosion in pineapples in steep areas of south-eastern Queensland (Imbil) (Ciesiolka et al. 1995)
Level 1 General description
Purpose
This study monitored hydrology and soil erosion over a range of slope lengths on a pineapple farm in order to identify parameters to design sustainable production systems in steep areas (33-38%).
Methods (brief)
The study was undertaken on a commercial farm 3 km from Imbil in the Gympie district. All plots were on a hillside of rectilinear slope approximately 30 m in length and 35-38% slope. Plot lengths studied were 7, 12, and 22 m. A number of larger catchments were also monitored to better understand hydrology and erosion at the paddock scale.
Key findings (brief)
For the period 1988 to 1991 (3 water years) annual average rainfall, runoff and soil erosion was 1232 mm, ~400 mm and 27-116 t/ha respectively for the site. Erosion and sediment concentrations from 7 and 12 m length rows were similar and nearly double for 22 m. Here rilling was evident. The USLE LS relationship appears to underestimate erosion at longer and steeper slopes in this study.
Table 1. Mean annual runoff, erosion and water quality exploring the impact of slope and slope length in steep-land pineapples - Imbil (Ciesiolka et al. 1985) Duration of study:1988-91 (3 Water Years), AAR 1232 mm.
|
Slope length (m) |
Slope (%) |
LS1 |
Runoff (mm) |
Soil loss (t/ha) |
EMC 1
(gm/L) |
Normalised2 Soil loss (t/ha) |
Normalised3 EMC (gm/L) |
|
7 |
34 |
5.3 |
445 |
27 |
6.0 |
5.0 |
1.1 |
|
12 |
33 |
6.6 |
436 |
30 |
6.9 |
4.6 |
1.0 |
|
22 |
38 |
11.7 |
390 |
116 |
29.7 |
9.9 |
2.5 |
1 Soil loss divided by runoff, primary sediment source, no allowance for deposition.
2 USLE factor used to correct normalised data to an LS =1
3 EMC normalised to an LS =1
Location
Ray Walker's Imbil is Lat 26° 27’ 42.59’’S, Lon 152° 40’ 42.45’’E
Related studies
Buchanan's farm at Goomboorian is Lat 26° 3’ 26.97’’S, Long 152° 47’ 39.71’’E
Beerwah Pineapple Research Farm Lat 26° 56’ 0.17’’S, Long 152° 57’ 18.97’’E
Capelin MA, Truong PN 1985. Soil erosion within pineapple fields in south-east Queensland.