Information
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.
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 27-29th October 1992.