APAL’S positive results on hardsetting grey clay

6/04/2004 12:00:00 AM

APAL’s soil program is showing positive results in WA Department of Agriculture trials on hardsetting grey clay at Gnowangerup.

WA Agriculture’s Great Southern Agricultural Research Institute is trialling two methods to improve productivity in these difficult soils.

The first is to physically deepen the seedbed using knife-points to improve root penetration.

The second method involves improving the soil chemically by following recommendations and soil tests from APAL.

APAL has also provided support and advice to the researchers during the trial.

Hardsetting grey clay soil has several properties that can make it a difficult soil to manage. These include a hardsetting surface, shallow topsoil, very dense subsoil, restricted water infiltration, and a sodic and dispersive soil profile.

Many farmers are looking to overcome these problems, because they prevent grey clay soils reaching their full productivity potential.

The APAL program has had a significant positive effect on crop establishment, dry matter production, and final yields.

APAL expects that the benefits of the program will continue beyond the year of application as the health and productivity of the soil is enhanced, so it is important that the plots continue to be measured annually.

Copies of the report are available from the Great Southern Agricultural Institute, or contact APAL.