Landcare - Warakurna Project

This community was included in the October 87 direct seeding program because it had some large areas to the south east of it which had been denuded of vegetation as a result of use by ceremonial camps over many years. The area to be direct seeded was between the community and the Giles weather station which was located on a rise about 3 km away to the south east.

The seed that was used in the project included buffel and birdwood grasses (Cenchrus ciliaria and C. setigerus), old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia), witchetty bush (Acacia kempeana) and umbrella bush (Acacia ligulata). A combination of spirals and staggered furrows were used in a soil type that was very variable. It ranged from light calcareous to powdery clay soils which favoured the growth of buffel grass.

The following pictures show some of the early results from the October 87 program:

Pictures 1: This aerial view shows a combination of spirals and staggered furrows in the centre of the photograph and was taken 3 months after completion of the project (Jan. 88). Note the germination and growth of vegetation on the far side of the spirals where the rain water collected. The staggered furrows between the spirals had also collected water and good germination is visible in the photograph.

Picture 2: View of a staggered furrow (Jan. 88) covered with buckbush (Salsola kali). The plants of buffel grass in the picture have already hayed off and the seed produced has fallen into the furrow cut by the discs on the opposed disc plough. Soils is blown into the furrow covering the seed which germinates after rain.

This project was successful, however due to the lighter soils a longer period was required to revegetate the area.