Nd:Glass-Raman laser for water vapor dial

A tunable solid-state Raman shifted laser which was used in a water vapor Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system at 9400 A is described. The DIAL transmitter is based on a tunable glass laser operating at 1.06 microns, a hydrogen Raman cell to shift the radiation to 1.88 microns, and a frequency doubling crystal. The results of measurements which characterize the output of the laser with respect to optimization of optical configuration and of Raman parameters were reported. The DIAL system was also described and preliminary atmospheric returns shown

Soil potential for groundnut production at Kununurra, Western Australia : report of a survey conducted in January 1979

Production of groundnuts in trials on irrigated Cockatoo Sands near Kununurra have been sufficiently encouraging for a soil survey to be requested of three small areas possibly suitable for commercial release. It was anticipated that between 1 000 and 1 200 ha would be necessary in the immediate future for development of five farms for groundnut production. The survey was begun in November 1978 to: classify the sand soil types. determine the potential of these types for with groundnut production. examine possible relationships between soils and vegetation to be used when selecting land for groundnut production

Evaluation of Farming System research (FSr) on Small Livestock in West timor of East Nusa Tenggara

Small livestock complement other parts of the agricultural system in West timor of East nusa tenggara (ntt), since  crop residues, weeds and household wastes areavailable feed resources with low cost. the main roles are as farmers’ income and consumption, provide liquidity, have high value for ceremonies and cultural functions and are a store of wealth and family security. Pigs, goats and native chickens are comparatively important, with relatively large population. there is little published information on the farming systems in which they are kept, on their role, productivity, limitations or potential. Farming systems research (FSr) has been recognized by many government and international development agenciesas an appropriate approach in agricultural research and development, and the concept has been accepted by some organizations in Eastern Indonesia. However, there are few research programs in which an FSr procedure was followed, and evaluated for their effectiveness, especially in the context of livestock research and development. Evaluation of small  livestock farming system research in West Timor, indicates that limitation in times and sufficient data at early stage , as well as broad information of target areas and farmers active involvement, became the main constraints in selecting appropriate location and sites for study purposes. the results of the general evaluation of one year research project suggested that FSr approach was appropriate, even for such a very small scale program. the level of progress achieved was largely dependent on the degree of institutional support provided by regional institutions. there was also need for having better understanding of FSr philosophy and methods for those involved in livestock research and development. Sucess of FSr depends largely on the degree and level of participation of farmers, research workers, and relevant specialists, including comittment of research workers, with close involvement with farmers, their families and problems.Key words: FSr, system approach, evaluation, small livestock

In search of optimal stocking regimes in semi-arid grazing lands : one size does not fit all

We discuss the search for optimal stocking regimes in semi-arid grazing lands. We argue that ‘one size does not fit all’ and that different stocking regimes are appropriate under different conditions. This paper is an attempt to move beyond polarization of the current debate towards a more integrative and flexible approach to grazing management. We propose five different conditions as major influences on grazing regimes: environmental variability and predictability; degradation and thresholds; property right regimes; discount rates; and market stability and prices. We suggest a lack of connection between the micro-economics literature and natural science and social-anthropological literature. It is timely to achieve greater integration around some key questions and hypotheses, and recognize that policy prescriptions at national or even regional levels are likely to have limited value due to context specificity

Soil potential for groundnut production at Kununurra, Western Australia : report of a survey conducted in January 1979

Production of groundnuts in trials on irrigated Cockatoo Sands near Kununurra have been sufficiently encouraging for a soil survey to be requested of three small areas possibly suitable for commercial release. It was anticipated that between 1 000 and 1 200 ha would be necessary in the immediate future for development of five farms for groundnut production. The survey was begun in November 1978 to: classify the sand soil types. determine the potential of these types for with groundnut production. examine possible relationships between soils and vegetation to be used when selecting land for groundnut production