Micro-Water Harvesting and Soil Amendment Increase Grain Yields of Barley on a Heavy-Textured Alkaline Sodic Soil in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment

Authors

Edward G. Barrett-Lennard, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western AustraliaFollow
Rushna Munir, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Dana Mulvany, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
Laine Williamson, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
Glen Riethmuller, Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentFollow
Callum Wesley
David Hall, Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-8-2021

Journal Title

Agronomy

ISSN

Electronic: 2073-4395

Keywords

electromagnetic induction, EC1:5, EM38, gypsum, plastic mulch, sodicity, elemental sulfur, transient salinity

Disciplines

Agronomy and Crop Sciences

Abstract

This paper focuses on the adverse effects of soil sodicity and alkalinity on the growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in a rainfed environment in south-western Australia. These conditions cause the accumulation of salt (called ‘transient salinity’) in the root zone, which decreases the solute potential of the soil solution, particularly at the end of the growing season as the soil dries. We hypothesized that two approaches could help overcome this stress: (a) improved micro-water harvesting at the soil surface, which would help maintain soil hydration, decreasing the salinity of the soil solution, and (b) soil amelioration using small amounts of gypsum, elemental sulfur or gypsum plus elemental sulfur, which would ensure greater salt leaching. In our experiments, improved micro-water harvesting was achieved using a tillage technique consisting of exaggerated mounds between furrows and the covering of these mounds with plastic sheeting. The combination of the mounds and the application of a low rate of gypsum in the furrow (50 kg ha−1) increased yields of barley grain by 70% in 2019 and by 57% in 2020, relative to a control treatment with conventional tillage, no plastic sheeting and no amendment. These increases in yield were related to changes in ion concentrations in the soil and to changes in apparent electrical conductivity measured with the EM38.

Recommended Citation

Barrett-Lennard EG, Munir R, Mulvany D, Williamson L, Riethmuller G, Wesley C, Hall D. Micro-Water Harvesting and Soil Amendment Increase Grain Yields of Barley on a Heavy-Textured Alkaline Sodic Soil in a Rainfed Mediterranean Environment. Agronomy. 2021; 11(4):713. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040713