Natural Resources Research Articles
Improving water use of annual crops and pastures—limitations and opportunities in Western Australia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2001
Journal Title
Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
ISSN
0004-9409
Keywords
Lucerne, Salinisation, Western Australia, Water, Rainfall, Soils, Loamy sandy soils, Crop, Pasture
Disciplines
Agribusiness | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Climate | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Fluid Dynamics | Fresh Water Studies | Hydrology | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Organic Chemistry | Plant Biology | Soil Science | Water Resource Management
Abstract
As part of a wider analysis of the potential role for lucerne in farming systems being developed for containing the spread of salinisation, we have reviewed information generated in Western Australia on opportunities for improving the water use of annual crops and pastures. Substantial increases in water use have been shown to be possible in a number of situations and rainfall environments. Best gains, of the order of 40–70 mm, were reported on deep sand and loamy sand soil types. These were achieved from selection of deep-rooted and longer growing crop and pasture species, and from amelioration of widespread traffic pans and subsoil acidity, and/or selection of tolerant species. On more widespread gradational and duplex soils, soil physical and chemical properties that restrict water infiltration and/or root penetration to depth limit the potential to increase water use. Increases in production and water use are still possible, depending on the permeability of the lower horizons of these soils and on rainfall distribution. At best, recorded increases on these soils were of the order of 5–15 mm in short season, low rainfall environments, and around 40 mm in long season, high rainfall environments. These increases in water use were not invariable. Increases in water use were not noted in dry years on all soils and in all years on shallow duplex soils with impermeable B horizons. Seasonality impacts on all outcomes and is a key issue on all soils and in all rainfall environments.
Recommended Citation
Tennant David , Tennant David , Hall David Hall David (2001) Improving water use of annual crops and pastures—limitations and opportunities in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 52, 171-182. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR00005
