Soilpak: a successful decision support system for managing the structure of Vertisols under irrigated cotton

Abstract

We describe a successful way of presenting knowledge of soil management to Australian cotton growers. Previous soil management methods were costly, and often involved unnecessary tillage that further damaged soil structure. Other growers did not correct serious subsoil compaction. Poor control of paddock traffic was a widespread problem. We gathered available information on soil management from researchers, agronomists, and leading growers to present in a format that is easy to follow. We produced guidelines and 'rules of thumb' on best practices and published a manual called 'SOILpak, a Soil Management Package for Cotton Production on Cracking Clay Soils'. The manual was promoted at workshops on practical soil management. Assessments of yield trends and a recent survey of SOILpak clients showed that the manual had improved farming practices. By helping growers to make soil management decisions, the manual assisted the industry's trend towards adopting minimum tillage, permanent beds, and controlled traffic.