Publication Date

12-2017

Series Number

400

Abstract

The Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD, formerly Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia), assessed the suitability of land for expanding irrigated horticulture around Myalup, Western Australia. The assessment builds upon existing soil-landscape mapping produced by van Gool and Kipling (1992), and Barnesby and Proulx-Nixon (2000). This report provides guidance to decision-makers and investors about areas with potential for irrigated horticulture.

The survey area for this assessment is east of Myalup, covering 37 800 hectares (ha). Johnston Road forms the northern boundary and the Brunswick River forms the southern boundary (Figure 1.1). The sandy soils of the Spearwood and Karrakatta series in this area are highly sought after for irrigated horticulture because their drainage and workability provide the opportunity for year-round cropping. They also have better water- and nutrient-holding capacity than other soils on the Swan Coastal Plain.

We described 140 soil profiles and collected over 80 soil samples for analysis. We used this information to improve existing soil-landscape mapping. We used land qualities assigned to this mapping to generate land capability maps of the Myalup survey area, highlighting the areas with the greatest potential for irrigated horticulture.

Number of Pages

112

Keywords

Myalup, land capability, irrigated horticulture, soil profiles, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agriculture | Soil Science

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