Publication Date

7-2019

Series Number

415

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

City

Perth

Abstract

The Midlands groundwater and land assessment is a $4.7 million Water for Food project. Its aim is to confirm groundwater availability at one or more focus areas that may form precincts of 2000–3000 hectares suitable for intensive irrigated horticulture. This report forms part of this project.

Firstly, this report describes the climate of the Midlands study area and highlights the subtle differences between the two selected focus areas, Irwin and Dinner Hill. It discusses the importance of climate in determining crop suitability. We also investigated the following additional factors that determine crop suitability: water quality, water quantity, land capability (soils) and environmental impact.

Secondly, this report examines potential commercial horticultural crops for the Midlands area.

We found that the combination of climate and the range of soils in the study area would suit a wide range of horticultural crops. The main limiting factor for extensive horticultural development in the study area is the availability of water that is suitable for irrigation. High temperatures, wind and water quality are also important management considerations.

The first edition of this report was updated after corrections were made in related reports, specifically resource management technical reports 406 and 408. This second edition contains those corrections, and some outdated mapping has been replaced or removed. Other minor editorial changes have also been made in this edition.

Number of Pages

51

Keywords

Midlands, climate, crop suitability, irrigated horticulture, soils, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agriculture | Soil Science | Sustainability

Comments

This publication supersedes the first edition, Resource management technical report 405, of the same title.

The following commissioned report was used as a supporting document for this study:

Maps

Maps are not included as part of the complete document download. If this report contains a map, it will be available in the individual parts list below.

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