High clay contents, dense soils, and spatial variability are the principal subsoil constraints to cropping the higher rainfall land in south-eastern Australia

R. J. MacEwan; D. M. Crawford; P. J. Newton; T. S. Clune

doi:10.1071/SR09076

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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High clay contents, dense soils, and spatial variability are the principal subsoil constraints to cropping the higher rainfall land in south-eastern Australia

R. J. MacEwan ^A ^F , D. M. Crawford ^B , P. J. Newton ^C ^D and T. S. Clune ^C ^E

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 3100, Bendigo Delivery Centre, Vic. 3554, Australia.

^B Department of Primary Industries, 621 Sneydes Rd, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.

^C Department of Primary Industries, RMB 1145, Chiltern Valley Rd, Rutherglen, Vic. 3685, Australia.

^D Current address: PO Box 572, Wodonga, Vic. 3689, Australia.

^E North East Water, PO Box 863, Wodonga, Vic. 3689, Australia.

^F Corresponding author. Email: richard.macewan@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Soil Research 48(2) 150-166 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR09076
Submitted: 26 April 2009 Accepted: 2 February 2010 Published: 31 March 2010

Abstract

Available soil information and unpublished data from soil survey indicate that high clay contents and high bulk density are the major subsoil constraints to crop growth in the high rainfall zone (HRZ) of south-eastern Australia. Seven high rainfall agroecological zones are proposed as sub-divisions of the region to focus future research and development. The HRZ is dominated by texture-contrast soils (69.9%) and soils with clay subsoil (89.4%) and high bulk density (mean 1.6 t/m³). Sodicity and acidity are also significant constraints to crop production in the HRZ. The physical limitations to root growth in the HRZ subsoils are best appreciated through the least-limiting water range concept and growth-limiting bulk densities. Management options and results of past research and intervention in soil loosening, drainage, raised beds, liming, and gypsum are reviewed. Climatic uncertainty raises questions about the future relevance of waterlogging as a constraint in the HRZ and confounds the development of reliable recommendations for engineering intervention.

Additional keywords: agroecological zones, bulk density, acidity, compaction, salinity, sodicity, waterlogging, texture contrast soils.

Acknowledgments

The Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries provided funding to carry out this review. Colleagues in New South Wales, South Australian, and Tasmanian government agencies are thanked for assistance in accessing data. David Maschmedt (Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, SA) and Greg Chapman (Department of Natural Resources, NSW) were instrumental in providing soils data and knowledge from their respective states. The 2 anonymous referees and Dr David Nash (Department of Primary Industries) are thanked for their comments on the original manuscript.

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