The role of landholder education in adoption of soil health management systems

Management for soil health has received increasing attention, but, despite this, adoption of soil health management plans (SHM) has been slow and is possibly affected by landholder education. This paper investigates the role of landholder education in the adoption of SHM systems, using salinity and sodicity as indicators. Through the use of a landholder response mail based survey consisting of likert scale rank questions, categorical responses and open ended questions, education was shown to mildly affect the adoption of SHM programs, but was not considered an overriding impediment by landholders. However, there is a disparity between education as an impediment and landholders knowledge. This disparity is potentially overcome by a reliance on agronomists and extension officers to guide landholders through SHM issues that they find complex. In terms of managing soils for salinity, education was shown to be adequate, although for sodicity education is still a major limiting factor

Analysis of Electron Beam Damage of Crystalline Pharmaceutical Materials by Transmission Electron Microscopy

We have studied the impact of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and low dose electron diffraction on ten different crystalline pharmaceutical compounds, covering a diverse chemical space and with differing physical properties. The aim was to establish if particular chemical moieties were more susceptible to damage within the electron beam. We have measured crystalline diffraction patterns for each and indexed nine out of ten of them. Characteristic electron dosages are reported for each material, with no apparent correlation between chemical structure and stability within the electron beam. Such low dose electron diffraction protocols are suitable for the study of pharmaceutical compounds

Understanding stress-induced disorder and breakage in organic crystals: beyond crystal structure anisotropy

Crystal engineering has advanced the strategies for design and synthesis of organic solids with the main focus being on customising the properties of the materials. Research in this area has a significant impact on large-scale manufacturing, as industrial processes may lead to the deterioration of such properties due to stress-induced transformations and breakage. In this work, we investigate the mechanical properties of structurally related labile multicomponent solids of carbamazepine (CBZ), namely the dihydrate (CBZ·2H2O), a cocrystal of CBZ with 1,4-benzoquinone (2CBZ·BZQ) and the solvates with formamide and 1,4-dioxane (CBZ·FORM and 2CBZ·DIOX, respectively). The effect of factors that are external (e.g. impact stressing) and/or internal (e.g. phase transformations and thermal motion) to the crystals are evaluated. In comparison to the other CBZ multicomponent crystal forms, CBZ·2H2O crystals tolerate less stress and are more susceptible to breakage. It is shown that this poor resistance to fracture may be a consequence of the packing of CBZ molecules and the orientation of the principal molecular axes in the structure relative to the cleavage plane. It is concluded, however, that the CBZ lattice alone is not accountable for the formation of cracks in the crystals of CBZ·2H2O. The strength and the temperature-dependence of electrostatic interactions, such as hydrogen bonds between CBZ and coformer, appear to influence the levels of stress to which the crystals are subjected that lead to fracture. Our findings show that the appropriate selection of coformer in multicomponent crystal forms, targetting superior mechanical properties, needs to account for the intrinsic stress generated by molecular vibrations and not solely by crystal anisotropy. Structural defects within the crystal lattice, although highly influenced by the crystallisation conditions and which are especially difficult to control in organic solids, may also affect breakage

Modelled ocean changes at the Plio-Pleistocene transition driven by Antarctic ice advance

The Earth underwent a major transition from the warm climates of the Pliocene to the Pleistocene ice ages between 3.2 and 2.6 million years ago. The intensification of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation is the most obvious result of the Plio-Pleistocene transition. However, recent data show that the ocean also underwent a significant change, with the convergence of deep water mass properties in the North Pacific and North Atlantic Ocean. Here we show that the lack of coastal ice in the Pacific sector of Antarctica leads to major reductions in Pacific Ocean overturning and the loss of the modern North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW) mass in climate models of the warmest periods of the Pliocene. These results potentially explain the convergence of global deep water mass properties at the Plio-Pleistocene transition, as Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) became the common source

The effects of lime, gypsum and lime/gypsum combinations, after 2.5 years, on two sodic soils under dryland cropping conditions in the Macquarie Valley, NSW

While gypsum, and to a lesser extent lime, are reported as ameliorants for soil sodicity, there is relatively little information concerning the use of these ameliorants in combination. This study investigates the use of lime and gypsum combinations on selected soil properties relating to sodicity on two different soils used for dryland cropping in the Macquarie Valley of New South Wales (NSW). Lime and gypsum treatments were applied to two soils (lime [L] and/or gypsum [G], applied at t/ha rates: L0G0 [control], L2.5G0, L0G2.5, L2.5G2.5, L2.5G5, L5G2.5, and L5G5) that were sampled after 2.5 years and analysed for soil pH, EC and aggregate stability. Changes in pH and EC, as well as correlations, suggest that lime has dissolved more readily in the presence of gypsum. While aggregate stability was not significantly enhanced, significant relationships between soil EC and aggregate stability were found

Hunting for parna pellets in Australia’s clayey loess

The best-known loessic material in eastern Australia is the so-called parna of southern NSW and northern Victoria. Parna deposits are believed to have formed during glacial phases of the Pleistocene, when huge amounts of dust were transported from arid and semi-arid regions of southern Australia, across the more humid eastern parts of Australia, towards the Tasman Sea. The mineral constituents of this dust are assumed to have been calcareous clays, transported as silt- and fine sand-sized pellets, with some companion quartz grains of a similar size. Clay-rich Alfisols are the most commonly found soils to weather from these parna deposits. A common property of parna-derived soils is subplasticity, where the apparent field texture grade becomes more clayey with increasing mechanical working of the bolus. This propensity for subplastic behaviour suggests that parna-derived soils contain stable silt- and fine sand-sized pellets of clay, yet there has been little direct micromorphological evidence of these pellets ever published. One train of thought is that post-depositional pedogenesis has destroyed these pellets. Here, thin section samples from a number of parna type-sites in southern NSW have been examined micromorphologically, to reveal the presence of very well size-sorted quartz grain populations (companion grains), and, in the drier locations, identifiable prolate clay aggregations of a similar silt to fine sand size. Where these pelletal aggregations are not evident, such as in the older parna deposits and in the wetter locations, abundant illuviation features suggest that clay particles deposited within the parna, whether as pellets or coatings on grains, have subsequently undergone considerable weathering and a range of pedogenic processes. A complicating factor in the positive identification of parna pellets is that faecal pellets of soil mesofauna are often of a similar size and colouration, and similar morphologically. Nevertheless, the apparent ubiquity of the silt-sized pellets in parna soils, and the presence of these outside obvious faunal chambers and pores, suggests that the majority of these features are not of biologic origin

Adoption of soil health improvement strategies by Australian farmers: II. impediments and incentives

Purpose: Many farmers remain hesitant to implement structured management plans and strategies tailored to address soil health, irrespective of mounting scientific evidence for the credibility of certain soil health indicators, an increase in the reporting of program benefits and progress in communicating these benefits. Hence, the purpose of this research is to better understand the impediments associated with the adoption of such programs. Design: Non-parametric analysis of a mail-based survey supported with content analysis of landholder comments was used. Findings: This research highlights that impediments to the adoption of soil health programs are affected by region and that this is likely influenced by the availability, enthusiasm and motivation of surrounding environmental service providers. While the initial investment in soil health management is perceived as an impediment, landholders indicate that production longevity and long-term financial gain are achievable. Education is not viewed as an impediment by landholders, but cannot be ruled out as an impediment due to the increasing complexities of farming and the displayed knowledge of landholders. Practical implications: Impediments and incentives to the adoption of soil health management plans have been identified. This provides for strategic planning in promotion and adoption of such plans, as well as identifying priority issues of concern. Originality/Value: In investigating the impediments and incentives associated with adoption of soil health management plans, strategies for adoption can be formulated and pressing areas of concern are identified

Adoption of soil health improvement strategies by Australian farmers: I. attitudes, management and extension implications

Purpose: There is inconsistency in the design, understanding, implementation and monitoring of soil health programmes. Despite mounting scientific evidence for the credibility of certain soil health indicators, an increase in the reporting of programme benefits, and progress in communicating these benefits, many farmers remain hesitant to implement structured management plans and strategies tailored to address soil health. The purpose of this research is to investigate the proportion of Lachlan and Macquarie Valley landholders who implement a structured soil health programme and to better understand the role of extension in the management of these. Design: Non-parametric analysis of a mail-based survey supported with content analysis of landholder comments was used. Findings: Results suggests that the overall landholder attitude towards soil health management is positive, although soil health management programmes are often inconsistent, unstructured, or ad hoc. Ongoing communication between landholders, agronomists, extension agencies and scientists is shown to be vital in the adoption of soil health management programmes. Practical implication: By understanding landholder attitudes and management practices, as well as the role of extension, extension efforts can become more targeted and effective. Value: This article shows that soil health management is a primary focus of Australian farmers and elucidates the importance of extension efforts in management and planning. Areas where extension should be focussed are identified