Subsoil constraints to cropping in the high rainfall zone

Department of Primary Industries (DPI)I and the Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC) funded a scoping study into the subsoil constraints to cropping in the higher rainfall areas of southeast Australia as these areas have potential for increased area of crop and increased yields. Problems associated with poor soil structure and waterlogging have been noted in the past but the extent of these and other constraints in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) are unknown. The study confirms that the major subsoil constraints are physical due to dense clay subsoils. Also, soil acidity, a topsoil constraint, may reach the subsoil if not addressed. Seven high rainfall agro-ecological zones (HRAEZs) are proposed to provide better geographical focus for research and extension in the HRZ. Options for management and research are proposed for HRZ subsoil constraints. The full report to GRDC can be downloaded in sections here.

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		Front cover and Table of Contents (PDF 425KB)
	1	Introduction (PDF 632KB)
	2	Geographical Context (PDF 632KB)
	3	Soil and subsoil constraints (PDF 1.8MB)
	4	Site Investigations (PDF 416KB)
		Marrar (PDF 437KB) Yarrawonga (PDF 710KB) Willaura (PDF 747KB) Frances (PDF 561KB) Summary and conclusion for the surveyed sites (PDF 1.1MB)
	5	Yield potential for the HRZ and subsoil constraints (PDF 378KB)
	6	Management options (PDF 1.1MB)
	7	Farmer survey results (PDF 337KB)
	8	Conclusions (PDF 362KB)
	9	Recommendations (PDF 362KB)
		References (PDF 178KB)
		Appendices (PDF 109KB)

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