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Science Improves Soil Health in Southern NSW
12/03/08

In the Macquarie valley and southern New South Wales, it has been shown that topsoil characteristics such as surface crusting, hardsetting structure and slow infiltration rates reduce cotton yields.

Past research has shown that this is largely due to soil chemical properties, low organic carbon contents and low rainfall. Such soils have a low structural resilience and are more difficult to irrigate efficiently, leading to reduced seedling vigour, poor water use efficiency and reduced yields.

A new cotton research project funded by the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC looking at the effects of a range of organic amendments on topsoil, with a particular focus on change in soil structure, biology and organic carbon, is underway in the Macquarie and Lachlan valleys.

James Quilty, a PhD student at The University of Sydney, said the main outcome of the research project will be a greater understanding of effects of a variety of organic soil amendments on the topsoil condition on a number of different soil types.

“We will be exploring the effects of a range of organic amendments such as a kelp extract, a liquid blood and bone, and a potassium humate on topsoil, with a particular focus on change in soil structure, biology and organic carbon”.

“The effects of the applied organic amendments, different rates of these and different soil husbandry accompanying the amendments, will be assessed over a three year period, allowing us to determine the effectiveness of the organic amendments for improving topsoil condition” said Mr Quilty.

“There are numerous organic fertilisers available on the market, many of which have been widely accepted in horticulture, especially in suburban gardens. The aim of this project is to determine whether these products can play a role in irrigated cotton production systems”.

“This information could have significant impact in numerous agricultural districts of similar climate (between 350 and 500 mm rainfall per year) and soil types in eastern Australia, including the lower Murrumbidgee and Darling River valleys of NSW”

“I have established three experimental sites in the Macquarie Valley and a further three sites are planned for the Lachlan Valley. These sites will potentially be very useful for field days, allowing farmers to observe the effects of a variety of products and the possible benefits of these for improving topsoil health” concluded Mr Quilty.

For more information please contact James Quilty on 0405 697 699 or 02 9351 3449