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REVIEW
Contents Vol 46(1)

Subsoil constraints to grain production in the cropping soils of the north-eastern region of Australia: an overview

Y. P. Dang A E , R. C. Dalal B , R. Routley C , G. D. Schwenke D and I. Daniells D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.

B Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia.

C Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Emerald, Qld 4720, Australia.

D NSW Department of Primary Industries, Tamworth Agricultural Institute, 4 Marsden Park Road, Calala, NSW 2340, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: yash.dang@nrm.qld.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46(1) 19-35 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA04079
Submitted: 26 April 2004  Accepted: 14 January 2005   Published: 9 February 2006

Abstract

In dryland agricultural systems of the subtropical, semi-arid region of north-eastern Australia, water is the most limiting resource. Crop productivity depends on the efficient use of rainfall and available water stored in the soil during fallow. Agronomic management practices including a period of fallow, stubble retention, and reduced tillage enhance reserves of soil water. However, access to stored water in these soils may be restricted by the presence of growth-limiting conditions in the rooting zone of the crop. These have been termed as subsoil constraints. Subsoil constraints may include compacted or gravel layers (physical), sodicity, salinity, acidity, nutrient deficiencies, presence of toxic elements (chemical) and low microbial activity (biological). Several of these constraints may occur together in some soils.

Farmers have often not been able to obtain the potential yield determined by their prevailing climatic conditions in the marginal rainfall areas of the northern grains region. In the past, the adoption of soil management practices had been largely restricted to the top 100 mm soil layer. Exploitation of the subsoil as a source of water and nutrients has largely been overlooked. The key towards realising potential yields would be to gain better understanding of subsoils and their limitations, then develop options to manage them practically and economically. Due to the complex nature of the causal factors of these constraints, efforts are required for a combination of management approaches rather than individual options, with the aim to combat these constraints for sustainable crop production, managing natural resources and avoiding environmental damage.


Acknowledgments

We thank Grains Research and Development Corporation in Australia for funding the project (GRDC-SIP08: DNR0004), Ms Mirella Blasi for unpublished data (GRDC-DNR7), and Dr Greg Thomas, Dr Andrew Biggs and Dr Greg Chapman and 2 reviewers for comments and valuable suggestions.


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