Landcare - Umuwa Project 1 > Site 3

This site was in the Ernabella creek floodout area about 2.7 kilometres south of McCaul bore. It was chosen because the grazing pressure from rabbits had removed the grasses and ruby dock (rumex vesicarius) had invaded the area. The soil type was an alluvial sand covered with a fine silt, typical of a floodout area.

It was decided to plant a collection of saltbush and bluebush seed in this demonstration plot. There were seven different saltbushes and six different bluebushes and each were hand planted on a separate spiral. Spirals were chosen because plant type would have its own plot and could be easily visited to determine results. Thirteen spirals were ploughed and the following seed planted:

After the spirals were ploughed, two to three hectares of staggered furrows were ploughed and old man saltbush (atriplex nummularia) was planted through the seed box. The area was suitable for growing old man saltbush.

Picture 1. An aerial view of the demonstration site in the Ernabella creek floodout site (March 93).

Picture 2. Ploughing the small spirals for the demonstration plot in the Ernabella creek floodout site (March 93).

Picture 3. Old man saltbush seedlings after germination at the demonstration plot in the Ernabella creek floodout site (May 93).

Picture 4. After seven months (November 93), most of the plant growth on the spirals was ruby dock (rumex vesicarius). There were no visible signs of saltbush or bluebush planted seven months earlier. Note how the vegetation has grown in association with the furrows and the mound made with the opposed disc plough. The surfaces between the circles of the spiral have been largely unvegetated.

In the first year of beginning the demonstration plot at site three very little germination from planted seed was recorded. Since the site was relatively close to the Umuwa Resource Centre it was decided to continue with further trials in this area. Hence Project 2 began in March 94.