SUB-PROGRAM 2.2 Agroforestry and Farm Forestry
Research in Progress

To Completed Projects

Optimised Direct Returns from Tree Products

(ii) High Rainfall and Generic
 

Project Title	Inorganic-bonded wood-composites manufactured from mallee eucalypt and melaleuca species
RIRDC Project No.:	ANU-35A
Start Date:	1/12/98
Finish Date:	30/11/2001
Researcher:	Dr Phillip Evans
Organisation:	Department of Forestry CANBERRA ACT 0200
Phone:	02 6249 3628
Fax:	02 6249 0746
Email:	Phil.Evans@any.edu.au
Objectives	To improve the compatibility of mallee eucalypt and melaleuca wood with Portland cement; and  develop suitable processing techniques to facilitate the development by 2005 of an inorganic wood bonded composit industry in Western Australia.
Current Progress:	The initial phase of this project involves screening a range of commercially important Western Australian mallee eucalypt species for their compatibility with Portland cement and hence suitability for the manufacture of wood-cement composites.  The five species currently being tested are: Eucalyptus polybractea, E. loxophleba ssp lissophloia, E. angustissima ssp. angustissima, E. kochii ssp. plenissima and E. horistes.  The growth performance and oil-yield of these species is also being evaluated in trial plantations at six sites in and around the wheat belt of Western Australia. A machine that is capable of measuring the effect of wood on the hydration of cement has been built, and a sampling strategy for the screening of the mallee eucalypts has been formulated jointly with CALM and ANU Statistical Consulting Unit.  Initial experimentation is investigating the effect of the following factors on wood-cement compatibility; mallee species, site, tree age (wood from 5.5 year old seedling trees compared with 2 year old coppice), and the presence/absence of bark in samples. Wood for the experiment has been obtained from plantations in WA, air-dried and chipped and is currently being sieved and conditioned at the ANU prior to testing for its effect on the hydration of cement.

Project Title	Predicting tree growth in farm forestry and following thinning
RIRDC Project No.:	CPF-1A
Start Date:	11/01/99
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Dr Michael Battaglia
Organisation:	CRC for Sustainable Production Forestry GPO Box 252-12 HOBART TAS 7001
Phone:	03 6226 7912
Fax:	03 6226 7942
Objectives	To develop a silvicultural decision support system for farm forestry by incorporating, into an existing process based model (PROMOD) of plantation growth, the effects of tree growth and form of wide spacing, planting in strips and silvicultural practices such as pruning and thinning.  A user-friendly PC package will be available for use by landholders, tree growing cooperatives and industry groups by June 2001. It will predict wood product yield from only a few simple site descriptors, the layout of plantations and plantation silviculture applied.
Current Progress:	The existing plantation site productivity model PROMOD has been extended to deal with open canopies in two ways: 1) firstly it has been modified along the lines of Jackson and Palmer (1979) to calculate intercept radiation by row crops (ie. thinned plantations or wide-spaced or strip plantations); 2) the Penman-Monteith equation has been included so that changes in the boundary layer resistance as a result of planting design can be considered.  Field-work will commence shortly in Tasmania and Western Australia to test the assumptions made in these models. A proto-type hybrid model has been developed for silvicultural decision support by combining site productivity potential estimates from PROMOD with growth projections from the empirical model NITGRO and allometric relationships derived from sampling of Tasmanian plantations. This hybrid model allows for simulation of pruning and thinning schedules with only site and climate data as inputs. Aspects of this model are currently being validated.

 
 

Project Title	Impact of insects on eucalypt plantations in the Murray Valley
RIRDC Project No.:	CSE-72A
Start Date:	1 July, 1995
Finish Date:	30 June, 2000
Researcher:	Dr Robert Floyd
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology GPO Box 1700 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	02 6246 4089
Fax:	02 6246 4155
Email:	R.Floyd@ento.csiro.au
Objectives	To assess provenances and families of several species of eucalypts for resistance to pests of young trees in order to incorporate insect resistance into breeding programs in seed orchards. To measure the impact of insect feeding on the growth and form of young eucalypts grown in existing plantations (Murray Valley and ACT) and new plantations established under irrigation or in high water table sites in the Murray Valley and to incorporate this information into growth and economic models. To develop a set of recommendations for the environmentally sensitive management of insect pests involving insect resistance in young trees for use in farm forestry.
Current Progress:	Insect damage and tree growth in plantations of Eucalyptus globulus planted in 1994 and E. grandis planted in 1993 has been monitored since planting. Trials of E. dunnii, E. benthamii and E. maculata, planted in 1995 have been monitored for damage and tree growth since 1996. Collection of data to determine phenology of major insect pests has also occurred over the same period.  The most important foliage feeding insect pests have been identified as Mnesampela privata (autumn gum moth), Cardiaspina fiscella (brown basket lerp), Phylacteophaga spp. (leafblister sawfly) and Anoplognathus spp. (Christmas beetle). Analysis of patterns of resistance and growth at a provenance and family level for the E. globulus and E. grandis trials is ongoing. The E. globulus data is the most complete and analysis has demonstrated cross-resistance to insect attack at the provenance level. Recent large outbreak populations of autumn gum moth have resulted in heavy damage.  Average defoliation at one site in 1998 was 98%. Data collected from these sites will be analysed for patterns of growth following heavy defoliation and to see whether insect resistance confers any advantage to trees recovering from such damage. Preliminary trials on how best to incorporate information on insect resistance and plant growth into economic models are underway.

 
 

Project Title	Identification of pest resistant eucalypts using near infrared spectroscopy
RIRDC Project No.:	CSE-78A
Start Date:	1 January, 1997
Finish Date:	31 December, 1999
Researcher:	Dr Robert Floyd
Organisation:	CSIRO Entomology GPO Box 1700 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	02 6246 4089
Fax:	02 6246 4155
Email:	R.Floyd@ento.csiro.au
Objectives	To develop near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) methods as a means of rapid and early prediction in juvenile trees of important tree characteristics such as pest resistance. To identify pest resistant trees of key species of eucalypts for farm forestry in south-east Australia.
Current Progress:	Trials of four Eucalyptus species with high and low concentrations of the chemicals 1,8-cineole and sideroxylonal, traits hypothesised to correlate with resistance to herbivores, have shown a relationship between chemical concentration and feeding by some insect and vertebrate herbivores. Trees with high concentrations of both these chemicals supported lower leaf consumption by marsupial herbivores and five species of Christmas beetles than trees with low concentrations of the chemicals.  However for the insects Uraba lugens, Chrysophtharta variicolis and Gonipterus scutellatus consumption was independent of leaf chemistry and the concentration of cineole and sideroxylonal. Models predicting insect and vertebrate resistance of mature leaves using NIRS have been developed and experiments are being prepared to test the validity of one model using ringtail possums.  Progress is being made towards developing predictive models of resistance using seedling foliage. This requires knowledge of when seedlings develop adult chemotypes and so far the leaf chemistry of four and 12 month old E. sideroxylon seedlings has been determined with further determinations planned for 20 and 24 month old seedlings. These data shows that separation of seedlings into resistant and susceptible chemotypes has not occurred by 12 moths.

 
 

Project Title	Novel nutrient management for improved tropical cabinet-timber growth on farms
RIRDC Project No.:	CSL-6A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/06/99
Researcher:	Dr Michael Webb
Organisation:	CSIRO Land and Water Private Mail Bag, Post Office AITKENVALE QLD 4814
Phone:	07 4753 8500
Fax:	07 4753 8600
Email:	michael.webb@tvl.clw.csiro.au
Objectives	To increase growth rates, reduce planting establishment costs and minimise nutrient leaching and loss to the environment by demonstrating the potential of developing, for northern Australian conditions, a novel nursery fertiliser delivery system that is effective in supplying nutrients to timber trees in the humid tropics after planting.
Current Progress:	At Babinda, in coastal north Queensland, after 4 months in the nursery and 2 months in the field, Eucalyptus pellita seedlings that were raised in a specially developed nursery media were more than double the height (107 cm) than those raised in a standard media (48 cm) (P< 0.001). Similarly, but to a lesser extent, Flindersia brayleyana raised in this specially developed media were 22% greater in height than those raised in a standard media. On the Atherton Tablelands in north Queensland, although no field results are available yet, at the time of planting both Eucalyptus cloeziana and Flindersia brayleyana produced more than twice the dry matter when grown in the specially developed nursery media than when grown in a standard nursery media. In spite of the reduced growth of trees raised in the standard mix, they still appeared perfectly healthy. This feature, that trees which are nutrient limited can still appear healthy, means that there may be enormous losses in growth potential, which go unrecognised because of their healthy appearance. This feature has also been noticed in other work even when trees are more than 12 months old. To date, all nursery stock has been raised and four of the six sites have been planted.
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust.

 
 

Project Title	The silvicultural basis for farm forestry in Australia - a national, collaborative review of past and present silvicultural research and proposals for a national network of strategic experiments
RIRDC Project No.:	DAQ-222A
Start Date:	1/04/97
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Dr Rosemary Lott
Organisation:	Queensland Forestry Research Institute M.S. 483 Fraser Road GYMPIE QLD 4570
Phone:	07 5482 0869
Fax:	07 5482 8755
Email:	lottr@qfri1.se2.dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	To collate and review published and (in particular) unpublished data relating to the silviculture of key farm forestry species in Australia. To determine the extent to which relationships (e.g. growth response to various degrees of removal of weed competition) are general, or specific to species or sites. To analyse the sensitivity of farm forestry productivity and economics to silvicultural treatments. To develop and refine silvicultural prescriptions for distribution to growers. To identify deficiencies in available data, and design a series of strategic experiments to correct these deficiencies, using key species and sites across Australia. Promote a national networking in relation to silviculture research relating to farm forestry and to the development of silvicultural prescriptions. Promote increased awareness among practitioners of farm forestry of the importance of good silviculture in achieving optimum productivity.
Current Progress:	The national database for farm forestry silviculture (SILVDAT) has been designed to hold data describing published and unpublished research trials on silviculture of Australian native species, plus some data from agroforestry trials. SILVDAT stores site and experiment description information, and tree growth data is represented as treatment means and standard errors for each measurement date.  The data will be analysed for general responses to silvicultural treatments, and whether some responses differ between regions and species. The database is designed to be compatible with CSIRO’s TREDAT and Victoria’s farm forestry database, and is currently being redesigned to match the recent alterations to TREDAT. Approximately 970 Australian papers on farm forestry and silviculture of eucalypts, hoop pine and rainforest species have been entered into an Endnote bibliography. Trial and growth data is being obtained from relevant papers and entered into SILVDAT, currently concentrating on Australian published literature and Queensland unpublished experiments.  The various forestry research organisations from around Australia have also volunteered unpublished data from approximately 150 trials, representing past and current silviculture trials and some farm forestry research trials.  Summary descriptions from these trials have been entered into SILVDAT, and data has been requested from the various states.

Project Title	Silviculture of rainforest cabinetwoods
RIRDC Project No.:	DAQ-240A
Start Date:	1/07/98
Finish Date:	30/06/00
Researcher:	Dr Alan House
Organisation:	Queensland Forestry Research Institute MS 483 Fraser Road GYMPIE QLD 4570
Phone:	07 5482 0879
Fax:	07 5482 8755
Email:	housea@qfri1.se2.dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	To determine appropriate sites for preferred tropical rainforest timber species To increase the rate of successful plantation development of red cedar (Toona ciliata) by development of the most appropriate light environments and establishment procedures. To develop management prescriptions for spacing, thinning and pruning in single and mixed species plantations of high-value tropical timber species. To improve understanding of inter-species interactions in mixed species plantations.
Current Progress:	Seed procurement, seedling propagation and site selection and preparation have been completed for all red cedar (Toona ciliata) experiments. Companion (T. ciliata with Azadirachta indica and Grevillea robusta) trials and insecticide/fertiliser trials have been established, as well as underplanting trials of T. ciliata with a range of other species.  A protocol for assessing tip moth (Hypsipyla robusta) damage to Toona has been developed: a manual for tip moth assessment in Australia and other countries is nearing completion. A number of established CRRP mixed species plantations have been remeasured and data analysed.  Early growth results for Maple (Flindersia brayleyana) planted in a monoculture and in a pairwise mixture with Acacia aulacocarpa show that when planted together, there are significant height increases in both species. Such results may be indicative of potential production increases with mixed species plantings. Further studies of crown and root architecture, tree form and presence/absence of pathogens and insect damage in the mixtures and monoculture treatments are currently being undertaken.  Based on these early results another of these trials has been established on the Atherton Tableland, on private property. We aim to test these new models on this new planting to reinforce their expediency in mixed species plantations.
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust

Project Title	Forecasting tree growth and yield and financial returns of key agroforestry species across southern Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-129A
Start Date:	1/04/97
Finish Date:	30/09/1999
Researcher:	Dr Tom Baker
Organisation:	Centre for Forest Tree Technology PO Box 137 HEIDELBERG VIC 3084
Phone:	03 9450 8687
Fax:	03 9450 8644
Email:	tom.baker@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	To improve a reliability of forecasting tree growth and yield of key agroforestry species on cleared agricultural land across southern Australia, by developing correlations between tree growth rates and height of mature remnant native vegetation and selected soil chemical parameters. To investigate relationships between tree growth rates and species, site, age and spacing, and construct mathematical models of tree growth which can be incorporated into financial models such as FARMTREE. To improve landholders knowledge of the relative economic returns and benefits from adopting different agroforestry regimes.
Current Progress:	Re-measurement of key Victorian and South Australian trials has been completed. This has included twelve large eucalypt trials, incorporating up to 50 species and provenances established on a range of sites in Gippsland Victoria. Site and soil descriptions (morphology) at these sites will be completed in winter 1999. A standard format database has been designed into which growth data are being collated. A comparison of Victorian and South Australian height growth and volume growth measurement and calculation protocols has been completed. An investigation of alternative mathematical growth functions and methods of fitting these, and of some propriety growth modelling software has been completed. Statistical growth modelling of Victorian data has commenced. Once the Victorian and South Australian data are merged, growth modelling incorporating site factor variables will be undertaken.  Mr Justin Wong of the School of Forestry, University of Melbourne has completed a M.For.Sc. thesis "Tree growth modelling of Eucalyptus delegatensis and other Eucalyptus species utilising early-aged stand measurements" as part of the project. The thesis examines methodologies for modelling farm forestry species, particularly stand height, basal area, diameter distributions, and diameter increment.

Project Title	Demonstration and development of fast growing irrigated eucalypt plantations in northern Victoria
RIRDC Project No.:	DAV-131A
Start Date:	1 March, 1997
Finish Date:	30 June, 2000
Researcher:	Dr Tom Baker, Dr Mike Duncan
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment Centre for Forest Tree Technology PO Box 137 HEIDELBERG VIC 3084
Phone:	03 9450 8687, 03 9450 8663; Mobile: 0407 681 214
Fax:	03 9450 8644
Email:	tom.baker@nre.vic.gov.au; michael.duncan@nre.vic.gov.au
Objectives	To compare the performance of a range of eucalypt species and provenances for a range of soil types and irrigation water qualities
Current Progress:	The Trees for Profit (TFP) species trials focus on Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. globulus, E. grandis and E. saligna at six irrigated sites in northern Victoria. These trials have been measured and the foliage, soil and irrigation water chemically analysed to age 4 years. In the past 12 months the project has also completed measurement and chemical analysis of two recent TFP trials located at Appin South and Yarrawalla South (to age 2 years), and an older TFP trial at Undera (to age 8 years). To age 4 years (and 8 years at Undera), trees at the most saline sites (Nathalia, Tatura and Timmering) showed a trend towards decreasing nitrogen concentration and increasing salt accumulation in the foliage of E. globulus, E. grandis and E. saligna. There was a trend towards increasing surface soil sodicity at most sites. E. globulus was the fastest growing species at all sites, and growth rates generally varied inversely with irrigation water salinity. At Yarrawalla South, while soil sodicity was quite high, salt accumulation was not apparent in the foliage of any species and tree growth rates were reasonable at age 2 years. However, salinity appears to be significant problem at Appin South. The surface was sodic, and significant salt accumulation was occurring in the foliage of E. globulus, E. grandis and E. saligna, resulting in poor tree growth.

 
 

Project Title	Potential production of tannin and fuel wood from plantation bipinnate acacias
RIRDC Project No.:	DCL-3A
Start Date:	1/10/97
Finish Date:	30/09/98
Researcher:	Dr Elizabeth Barbour
Organisation:	Department of Conservation and Land Management 50 Hayman Road COMO WA 6152
Phone:	08 9334 0302
Fax:	08 9334 0327
Objectives	To identify plantation-grown bipinnate acacia species that successfully provide a fuelwood source and tannins for wood adhesive production.

Current Progress:

In 1997, an alliance between the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, local industrial partners, Bunnings Timbachem and Dyno Industries (WA) Pty Ltd, the Department of Conservation and Land Management and the Chemistry Centre of Western Australia was formed to determine the potential of plantation bipinnate acacias to produce tannin and fuel wood.  This project assessed 5.5 year old trees in three trials for wood volume, bark yield and stem form. Non-destructive bark samples were harvested for each provenance of the twelve species represented across the three sites and these were analysed for their Stiasny value and polyflavanoid content. Further bark samples from a single provenance of ten of the species were destructively harvested from the Darkan (Bowelling) site for bulk tannin extraction.  Bunnings Timbachem and Dyno Industries assessed the freeze dried bark extracts for their adhesive attributes. Wood discs cut from the base of the trees and at breast height were used to assess wood density for ten of the species. Overall the project demonstrated that Acacia mearnsii, A. decurrens and A. fulva were the better performing species, with A. decurrens preferring the drier sites.  The tannin extract from each of these species made a satisfactory adhesive and had a high enough wood density to make good short rotation fuel wood trees

 
 

Project Title	Silvicultural research to facilitate the development of large scale commercial farm forestry on farms
RIRDC Project No.:	PN99.2008
Start Date:	June 1999
Finish Date:	April 2002
Researcher:	Mark Lewty
Organisation:	Queensland Forest Research Institute MS 483 Fraser Rd, Two Mile Gympie, Qld, 4570
Phone:	07 5482 0875
Fax:	07 5482 8755
Email:	lewtym@qfri1.se2.dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	To determine the optimum native hardwood species for pulpwood plantations in the 800 – 1300mm rainfall zone between Maryborough and Gladstone. To identify the optimum silvicultural regime to maximise pulpwood yields of selected species To provide extension on the best silvicultural practices for a viable pulpwood industry in central east Queensland.
Current Progress:	Three new species trials incorporating hardwood species and hybrid eucalypt species (some imported from Sth Africa) were established in early 1999. It appears that Eucalyptus grandis or a hybrid of E. grandis will prove most appropriate for the region. Silvicultural trials, including fertiliser, weed control and establishment trials have been initiated. To date few results have been observed due to the youth of the trials, although some significant species x site interactions are now appearing in the species trials.
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust.

 

Project Title	Non destructive evaluation of intrinsic wood quality within on-farm woodlots
RIRDC Project No.:	PN99.2010
Start Date:	August 1999
Finish Date:	July 2000
Researcher:	Ross Dickson
Organisation:	Forest Research and Development Division SFNSW  PO Box 100 West Pennant Hills Beecroft, NSW, 2125
Phone:	02 9872 0111
Fax:	02 9871 6941
Email:	RossD@sf.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	To assess the applicability of non destructive approaches (e.g. stress wave timer) for evaluating the intrinsic wood properties of plantation Pinus radiata and principally E. dunnii. To assess the effects of heartwood/sapwood, moisture and density, log shape, log size, branch size together with wave velocity on grade recovery. To identify and build information links between tree farmers and wood processors on product performance (e.g. structural grade), and wood properties (e.g. wood stiffness).
Current Progress:	The initial harvest of E. dunnii trees from the Coffs Harbour region has been undertaken, with wood quality measurements taken on the standing trees and correlating these measurements to the output from the sawmill. Early indications are that there is a correlation between the non destructive wood measurements and the grade outturn (product quality) from the mill. The pine harvest is scheduled for late 1999 and the comparison of the non destructive wood quality evaluation between hardwood and softwood will be undertaken in 2000.
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust.

Project Title	A national appraisal for pruning for clearwood in eucalypts
RIRDC Project No.:	PN99.2011
Start Date:	October 1999
Finish Date:	June 2000
Researcher:	Kelvin Montagu
Organisation:	Forest Research and Development Division SFNSW PO Box 100 West Pennant Hills Beecroft, NSW, 2125
Phone:	02 9872 0146
Fax:	02 9871 6941
Email:	kelvinm@sf.nsw.gov.au
Objectives	To undertake a technical review of the knowledge base relevant to pruning in eucalypts based on national and international expertise. To produce a farm forestry extension publication incorporating a generic guide to the economics of pruning as a decision support tool for small growers. Develop a national strategy for co-ordinated R&D into hardwood pruning that is closely aligned with grower and processor requirements.
Current Progress:	Nominating a national taskforce of people involved in pruning research has been commenced and planning towards the national workshop has begun. Once the taskforce is finalised a project officer will be appointed to ensure that the workshop, the targeted publications and the R&D strategy are completed.
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust.

 
 

Project Title	Estimating the productivity of forestry systems in southeast Queensland
RIRDC Project No.:	QDN-3A
Start Date:	1/01/99
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	Dr Kristen Williams
Organisation:	Queensland Department of Natural Resources 80 Meiers Road INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068
Phone:	07 3896 9604
Fax:	07 3896 9858
Email:	Kristen.Williams@dnr.qld.gov.au
Objectives	To research and develop the integrated modelling frameworks needed to deliver reliable estimates of forest productivity as the baseline for addressing contemporary land use planning issues linked to forest resource sustainability, productivity and inventory in Southeast Queensland.
Current Progress:	The spatial-landscape application of the forest productivity model 3-PG, jointly developed by Bureau of Resource Sciences and CSIRO Forestry and Forest products, has been installed and demonstrated on QDNR's computer systems.  An information forum on The Forest Model 3-PG (February 1999) - Its use, evaluation, the wide-scale versions and matters arising - focused on development and spatial applications, with key presentations by Drs. J. Landsberg and N. Coops, and S. Hafner (on behalf of P. Tickle).  This forum was widely attended by forest researchers in Queensland and New South Wales, with specific interest in 3-PG as an application tool. Current progress in parameter definition for Eucalytpus grandis was demonstrated by Dr S. House (QFRI). Field survey and computer-based techniques for widespread and rapid assessment of the key forest parameters needed to 'tune' 3-PG were discussed. Summary findings were compiled with the presentation notes and a '3-PG Manual' written by Dr J. Landsberg, and distributed to participants.  The spatial data layers - monthly climate estimates, substrate nutrient indices, and substrate water characteristics (indices for texture, depth, permeability) - have been compiled for the Southeast Queensland study region (over 4.5 million hectares). Topographic variation in climate (especially light availability) will be implemented through a 50 m digital elevation model and terrain modelling software (TAPES-G, SRAD).  Case study areas for local-scale model testing and development have been established in the St. Marys and Benarkin State Forests.

 
 

Project Title	Australian participation in the International Energy Agency's bioenergy program
RIRDC Project No.:	SSC-2A
Start Date:	1/11/98
Finish Date:	30/04/2001
Researcher:	Dr Stephen Schuck
Organisation:	Stephen Schuck and Associates 7 Grassmere Road KILLARA NSW 2071
Phone:	02 9416 9246
Fax:	02 9416 9246
Email:	Steve.Schuck@bigpond.com
Objectives	Funding for Australian participation in Task 17: Short Rotation Crops for Bioenergy of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Bioenergy program. The immediate outcomes include: Access to up to date information on biomass crop production systems and methods; Strengthened contact with international researchers and developers of short rotation energy systems; Participation in the executive committee of IEA Bioenergy with access to information and developments from other taskgroups. Anticipated outcomes include: Creation of new markets for agroforestry and energy crops; Stimulating bioenergy industry within Australia (a potentially important contribution towards reducing our domestic greenhouse emissions); Developing new rural industries and jobs.
Current Progress:	This project was initiated in November 1998 by S. Schuck attending the IEA Bioenergy’s 42nd Executive Committee meeting in New Zealand, where it was resolved to extend an invitation to Australia to participate. Working through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Stephen Schuck and Associates has become the Contracting Party for the Australian Government under the IEA Bioenergy Implementing Agreement.  Each of the participating organisations has provided communications strategies on how they will disseminate information from this project. An hour long teleconference was held on 11 February to set arrangements and future directions, and this was followed up by a meeting of the group on 17 March in Canberra. The group is preparing a synthesis report on short rotation crop activities and directions in Australia for an international meeting in Alabama, USA in September. This will be the first opportunity for the group to participate in such a forum. The 43rd Executive Committee meeting of IEA Bioenergy is scheduled for 26-28 May in Norway.

 

Project Title	Optimising nutrition for productivity and sustainability of farm forestry systems
RIRDC Project No.:	UJC-6A
Start Date:	1/01/99
Finish Date:	31/12/01
Researcher:	Dr Bob Congdon
Organisation:	James Cook University Tropical Plant Sciences School of Biological Science TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811
Phone:	07 4781 4731
Fax:	07 4725 1570
Email:	robert.congdon@jcu.edu.au
Objectives	The major thrust of the research will be To identify pasture legume species which are able to tolerate different levels of shading under tree plantations in the wet tropics - providing improved forage quality and productivity for grazing in agroforestry situations, and improving soil fertility and reducing fertiliser costs through nitrogen fixation.  The benefits to tree growers include enhanced tree growth, weed suppression (reduced costs for herbicides), and reduced erosion on steep or degraded sites (due to mixed ground cover).
Current Progress:	A PhD student has recently been recruited to assist with this project. A preliminary review of the literature has been undertaken and a list of more than 20 potentially useful legumes compiled. Stocks of seed are being sourced; those not readily available in commercial quantities will be propagated to build up seed supplies.  Land has been made available in Townsville and Innisfail for setting up some of the field trials. A Nelder wheel experiment has been designed to establish replicated lines of trees at increasing spacing, to provide a range of shade conditions under which to test legume growth. African Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) will be established on the Townsville site, while other species will be used at the wetter Innisfail location.

Cost Effective Multi-purpose Agroforestry Systems
 

Project Title	Agroforestry design guidelines to balance catchment health with primary production
RIRDC Project No.:	CSM-4A
Start Date:	1/07/96
Finish Date:	28/02/00
Researcher:	Dr Richard Stirzaker and Dr Rob Vertessy
Organisation:	CSIRO Land and Water GPO Box 1666 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Phone:	02 6246 5570, 02 6246 5790
Fax:	02 6246 5845
Email:	rav@cbr.dwr.csiro.au
Objectives	To measure and predict tree water use under optimal conditions. To review and measure tree water use under stressed conditions. To measure and predict the competition between trees and crops for water in different agroforestry systems. To apply a catchment model to key sites and run model scenarios to optimise catchment health with tree productivity. To produce a booklet of guidelines to support land managers to optimise tree productivity with crop/pasture productivity and catchment health
Current Progress:	Average deep drainage below annual crops and pastures ranges between 10-100 mmy-1, 10 to 100 fold greater than that under native vegetation. This project looks at the scope for managing rising watertables by planting trees at a local catchment scale. A range of field experiments, encompassing plantations and spaced trees on flat and sloping land in saline and non saline sites, have been monitored for three years. These data sets are being extended to other situations using simple and complex modeling tools.  The final aim of the project is to produce a booklet for catchment managers. Book chapters include tree water use and hydrology, optimum spacings for tree belts on sloping land, planting trees over shallow watertables and combining trees and crops.  Current research shows that a large proportion (>50%) of the area of cleared land would need to be revegetated to manage watertables in most hydrogeological settings. Given this background, the project aims to identify the most promising niches for tree planting at a farm scale and provides semi-quantitative design criteria to help farmers implement revegetation plans with the best chance of success. The booklet will be available early in 2000 and will be followed by a workshop.

 

Project Title	Quantifying the tradeoffs between tree and crop productivity on farms
RIRDC Project No.:	CST-6A
Start Date:	1 January, 1999
Finish Date:	30 June, 2001
Researcher:	Dr Peter Carberry
Organisation:	Agricultural Production Systems Research Unit CSIRO Tropical Agriculture 203 Tor Street TOOWOOMBA QLD 4350
Phone:	07 4688 1377 or 07 4688 1378
Fax:	07 4688 1193
Email:	peter.carberry@tag.csiro.au
Objectives	In enabling landholder assessment of the productivity and risk of commercial agroforestry investment on grain farms in Australia's medium to low rainfall regions, this project aims to:  develop the capacity to simulate tree-crop interactions;  quantify potential benefits and risks of planting trees; and design and implement action learning activities that enable individual landholders to explore the viability of agroforestry investments for their own farms.
Current Progress:	Progress to date has been undertaken on two fronts: the tree growth model (known as the APSIM FOREST module) and the canopy microclimate and competition module (MICROMET module). The prototype APSIM FOREST module has been developed following an analysis of a range of current forest models of varying complexity. Model components and functional forms applicable to the proposed model usage have been determined from this study and combined into an operational module with the wider APSIM framework. Initial testing and validation of this model has included application of the model to the Biology of Forest Growth Experiment (Irrigation x Fertilizer for Pinus Radiata, ACT) and a range of Eucalyptus globulus stands (6 Sites across soil type and rainfall gradients, WA). Preliminary studies have shown that the current model design is able to capture the response of uniform forest stands to a range of growth conditions. The applicability of this functionality is soon to be further tested by application of the model to data for several Eucalyptus grandis stands from Victoria, NSW and Queensland encompassing a diverse range of nutrient, water and climatic conditions. In addition, recent testing of the module functionality has included the responses by the plant to changes in water table height and salinity. This work is making use of current datasets from NSW and Victoria. The design of a modelling framework to simulate interactions during canopy competition, and changes to canopy structure or microclimate, is nearing the end of the review phase. This work has been undertaken in conjunction with Dr V. Snow of CSIRO Land and Water. Once again, a suite of current modelling approaches have been studied with the development of a proposed framework applicable to proposed model usage. This design has been forwarded to other professionals within CSIRO for review (Dr R. Leuning, Dr H. Cleugh).
This project is supported by the Natural Heritage Trust.

 

Project Title	Thinning native regrowth for timber production and improved biodiversity
RIRDC Project No.:	GAN-1A
Start Date:	1/09/97
Finish Date:	31/07/98
Researcher:	Mr David Curtis
Organisation:	Greening Australia NSW Inc. PO Box 1467 ARMIDALE NSW 2350
Phone:	02 6772 3248
Fax:	02 6771 4094
Email:	greenau@northnet.com.au
Objectives	To review and evaluate existing knowledge of on-farm regrowth management in order to develop preliminary guidelines for on-farm management of regrowth in order to maintain biodiversity, manage land degradation and provide additional and diversified income.
Current Progress:	An A5 sized booklet has been developed and is envisioned to be ready to camera ready stage by 30/05/97. The booklet will be forward to RIRDC for printing. The booklet entitled "A Farmer’s Guide to Thinning Native Regrowth Forests for Improved Timber Production and Biodiversity".  The booklet describes methods for maintaining and enhancing forest biodiversity and improving timber stands. The thinning guidelines aims to provide landholders with information on maintaining a diverse range of ages and sizes of trees and the selective removal of those trees which prevent the growth and the enhancement of biological diversity of the forest and potential timber stands.

 
 

Project Title	Salt tolerant trees with high pulp quality
RIRDC Project No.:	UMU-19A
Start Date:	1/07/96
Finish Date:	30/06/01
Researcher:	A/Prof. Jen McComb
Organisation:	Murdoch University MURDOCH WA 6150
Phone:	08 9360 2336
Fax:	08 9360 6303
Objectives	To provide farmers, wood pulp producers and land care groups with trees which have high pulp quality and can be grown in saline areas. To identify the genotypes combining salinity tolerance, fast growth, and good quality pulp from Eucalyptus camaldulensis x E. globulus hybrids through the establishment of new field trials on saline soils in WA, the Murray Darling Basin and Tasmania, and monitoring existing field trials in WA. To improve micropropagation and cutting propagation methods for the hybrids.
Current Progress:	Field trials have been established at Beverley, Mount Barker, Boyup Brook and Narrikup WA, and at Condobolin NSW. Trials are being monitored for survival and height, and soil salinity. The survival of E. globulus on saline soils is poor compared with the hybrids. E. camaldulensis shows best survival. The growth of the surviving E. globulus is greater than the hybrids, which in turn is greater than E. camaldulensis. When growth is plotted against soil salinity, the regression slope is steepest for E. globulus and less steep for the hybrids and E. camaldulensis. It has been found that in vitro the growth of the hybrids is more similar to E. camaldulensis than E. globulus, but when stored for 6 months most hybrid clones were better at 5o rather than 25o where as for E. camaldulensis the opposite occurred. Trees are still not sufficiently large for pulping tests.

Last updated: 17 November 1999
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