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Item A soil-landscape model of Blind River/Otuwhero, Marlborough : a case study(Massey University, 2024) Oliver, MattSoils form in complex, four-dimensional, dynamic systems across landscapes. The role of a pedologist is to explore and describe the complexity and variability of soils within that landscape. The most common method used to document soils in the landscape is the soil map. Modern soil mapping has migrated to digital platforms where a much greater range of soil attribute information can be delivered at more appropriate scales. However, often soil mapping projects are carried out without specific reference to the landforms that the studied soils lie upon, in other words a soil-landscape model (S-LM) is often not included with the finished mapping outputs. The inclusion of an explicit soil-landscape model alongside a soil map is important for several reasons such as prediction of variability in soils across a landscape, reduction is survey costs, maintenance of an historic record and development of soil attribute mapping that allows interpolation of soil properties across the landscape rather than confining and defining soils into ‘crisp’ soil polygons. Map users who understand the S-LM can apply its principles across the wider landscape and to smaller landforms than would otherwise be captured on a broader-scale soil map. This study reviews soil-landscape modelling literature then combines Geographic Information System analysis with field work to establish a S-LM for the Blind River / Otuwhero region of Marlborough, New Zealand.Item The effects of tillage practices and cropping pattern on nonpoint source pollution and soil quality : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Agricultural Engineering at Massey University(Massey University, 1997) Guo, PengSoil erosion is one of the most serious environmental problems facing world agriculture. In New Zealand, with the current low financial returns from pastoral-based farming, land which was previously unaffected by soil erosion is being intensively farmed and therefore becoming more susceptible to soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution. Adoption of soil resource management and agricultural practices that seek to conserve soil and water resources and minimise environmental degradation is attracting overwhelming interest among scientists and general public. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the effects of selected tillage practices on soil physical properties, soil and water runoff, and water quality under selected cropping pattern. Experiments were conducted on a Ohakea silt loam comparing crop production (barley and oats double crop rotation) using conventional tillage (MP), no-tillage (NT), and pasture (P) (as a control treatment) and assess their impact on erosion and selected soil properties. It was expected that this relatively heavy soil type would be sensitive to cultivation management systems and was therefore suitable for a comparison of tillage methods. The treatments were arranged in a randomised complete block (RCB) design with four blocks of three treatments. In the field experiment, soil bulk density, water content, infiltrability, penetration resistance and earthworm populations were measured during two cropping seasons after barley and oats crops harvest in March and August 1996 respectively. Generally, these soil properties were significantly (P≤ 0.05) affected by tillage practices. Soil water content, infiltrability, and earthworm populations were similar in the NT and P treatments, but significantly higher than those found in the MP treatment. Conversely, soil bulk density at 0 - 50 mm depth was in the order of MP > NT > P. In the laboratory experiment, soil and water runoff, leachate volume, pH and nutrient losses from soil erosion were measured under a rainfall simulator. "Rainfall" intensity used was at an average application rate of 50 mm/hr for one hour, simulating a rainstorm. Mean data from the two experiments suggested that the surface water runoff and soil sediment in runoff were higher in the MP treatment than in the NT and P treatments, and were in the order of MP > NT = P and in a ratio of 4:1:1 and 30:1:1 respectively. Conversely, the volumes of water leachate were higher for the NT and P treatments than for the MP treatment, and in a ratio of 4:1:1 respectively. Soil pH from both water runoff and leachate was at an average of 7.4 and 7.2 respectively, but not different among the three treatments. Nutrient losses in surface water runoff were found to be significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) in the MP treatment (N=1.45 mg/m2, P=1.02 mg/m2, and K=8.3 mg/m2) than those with the NT (N=0.76 mg/m2, P=0.65 mg/m2, and K=6.8 mg/m2). Nutrient losses from NT and pasture treatments were similar. One year's data including two cropping seasons indicate that conventional tillage practices can result in high surface runoff and sediment loss and adversely affect runoff water quality. Such tillage practices are likely to lead to unsustainable land resource management and decreasing crop yields. On the other hand, conservation tillage practices such as no-tillage and continuous pasture cover reduced soil and water erosion, improved soil physical properties and runoff water quality, and conserved land resources leading to enhanced land productivity and agricultural sustainability.Item A review of the nature of beef cattle industry in the Solomon Islands with emphasis on soil fertility factors influencing pasture production on selected farms : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Masters degree in Soil Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand(Massey University, 2012) Sefa, Simon IroA general review of primary production in the Solomon Islands indicated that cattle grazing is mainly an activity involving smallholder farmers for cash income and consumption for their extended families. The review and a farm survey indicated that the productive capacity of pasture soils and many agricultural soils in Solomon Islands, continues to decline because poor, near-subsistence, farmers are unable, for economic reasons and lack of training, to provide land management strategies for crops and grazed pastures that maintain or improve soil fertility. This thesis reports on three investigations undertaken to assess the fertility levels of some pasture soils in Solomon Islands. This knowledge is required to develop soil fertility management strategies to assist in sustaining the productivity of grazed pasture and the beef cattle industry in the country. The review indicated that most soils are developed from volcanic materials and a few from corals. Most land considered suitable for agricultural use has not been characterised and recorded. Increasingly, the soils require additional sources of nutrients as they only obtain nutrients from decomposed organic matter and weathering soil minerals. Four farms (ASI, ILA, NAC, and STJT) were selected and surveyed focussing on examining their general background information, identification of pasture species, and evaluating the efficiency of record keeping practices. The pasture grass/legume species identified on the farms are T-grass, Carpet grass, Paragrass, White clover, Puero, Centro and Mimosa. Attempts to maintain soil fertility were based on traditional methods of using local waste materials as organic manures. The survey indicated that farmers are lacking in knowledge and did not value the importance of farm record keeping. Therefore, farm records were not available to provide sufficient information to construct a nutrient budget for each farm. Soils and herbage samples were collected in different places within the study areas. Soils were collected at 0-7.5 cm and 7.5-15 cm depths. These samples were chemically analysed and used in a glasshouse trial to test the growth response of white clover (T.Repens) to phosphate (P) and potassium (K) and sulphur (S) fertilizer additions. Low soil P test values were common, however analysis of the field sampled herbage did not confirm P deficiency. In the glasshouse trial, however legume growth was highly responsive to soil type, initial soil P status and added P fertiliser. Legume growth was non-responsive to application of K and S.Recommendations relating to farm record keeping, soils and herbage tests results, and alternative strategies to improve/maintain the soil fertility are discussed. Future research directions that should be taken to boost the production of pasture and beef cattle industry are also discussed.