Publication Date

11-2016

Series Number

RMTR 399

Abstract

This is a novel approach using regional-scale information. The analysis estimated that:

  • most of the wheat-growing land in south-west WA has one or more soil constraints
  • about 1.6 million hectares (9% of the total area) are not suitable for cropping
  • about 2.2 million hectares (12% of the total area) are suitable for cropping but are subject to many (more than 3) constraints; soil amelioration is unlikely to significantly improve profitable yield gain
  • subsurface acidity extends over 12.6 million hectares (about 70% of the total area); about 7.6 million hectares of that area (42% of the total area) is estimated to have only 1 or 2 soil constraints, and treating the most-limiting constraint is likely to achieve a profitable yield gain
  • subsurface compaction susceptibility extends over 13.2 million hectares (about 73% of the total area); about 5.7 million hectares of that area (about 32% of the total area) is estimated to have only 1 or 2 soil constraints, and treating the most-limiting constraint is likely to achieve a a profitable yield gain
  • water repellence, surface salinity, subsoil alkalinity, low soil water storage, topsoil acidity and physical crop-rooting depth each restrict yield over at least 1 million hectares.

Number of Pages

79

Keywords

soil constraints, wheat yield, land capability

Disciplines

Agriculture | Soil Science

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