Cropping, soil and deep drainage
Mr Michael Case, (DECC) taking soil water measures in a Mallee cropping paddock with a neutron probe.
Summary
NSW DPI is undertaking hydrological research in collaboration with the Lower Murray Darling CMA and Department of Environment and Climate Change to assess progress made in achieving catchment targets for salinity. A network of 87 paddocks in the Lower Murray Darling Catchment is used to monitor trends in stored soil water and rate of deep drainage. Changes in these data are interpreted in relation to land management practice and seasonal conditions. Locations identified as having increasing trends of soil water or rate of deep drainage can be targeted for intervention by the CMA.
Dryland agriculture in the Lower Murray Darling CMA area has the potential to be one of the most environmentally sustainable farming systems in Australia if best practices are used. However, there is a potential for excessive deep drainage under dryland cropping to increase saline inflows to the Murray River. By monitoring the impact of management practices on stored soil water and deep drainage rate, NSW DPI can work with the CMA to increase the use of water wise and phase farming techniques by growers and so lessen the risk of river salinity.
Project Objectives
Drilling crew collecting deep soil samples so that they can be tested for soil chloride concentration.
Drilling crew collecting deep soil samples so that they can be tested for soil chloride concentration.
- To assess progress made by the CMA towards meeting catchment target S1 (Salinity).
- To identify locations within the catchment having higher deep drainage rate and so greater threat to enhanced salinity.
Partners
Lower Murray Darling CMA, NSW DPI, NSW DECC, University of New England, Mallee Sustainable Farming Inc.
Fact sheets
Download Farmtalk and Lower-Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority (LMD CMA) fact sheets relating to the 'Cropping, soil and deep drainage' project.
- Farmtalk 9 - Lucerne in the Mallee
245.3 KB - Farmtalk 11 - The Deep Down on deep drainage in the Mallee
281.2 KB - Farmtalk 21 - Soils ain't soils: the Mallee experience 303.6 KB
- Farmtalk 22 - Mallee farming: prodcutive, profitable and sustainable 272.1 KB
- Deep drainage - what are the neutron probes sites telling us? 39.4 KB
- LMD CMA Fact Sheet 032 Deep Drainage 371.7 KB