Salinity

Most modern agricultural systems are based on pastures and annual crops that use less of the annual rainfall than the original vegetation.

The excess rainfall drains below the root zone and joins the water table, causing it to rise and bring dissolved salts into the root zone. This results in dryland salinity, waterlogging and deteriorating soil health. Most dryland salinity is in southern Australia where the majority of land clearing has occurred.

Given the small amount & condition of native vegetation retained in the landscape, Native Vegetation can no longer be relied upon as a significant option for salinity preventation in most of southern Australia.

There are two best practices approaches to managing dryland salinity:

1. Reducing groundwater recharge by increasing the proportion of perennials (grasses and trees) in the landscape, where possible. AWI investments in EverGraze and Evergreen have a focus on increasing the proportion of perennials in the landscape.
2. Managing the discharge zone. Three key options are available;
   • Control the grazing pressure. Exclude continuous grazing and graze opportunistically;
   • Assess the productive capacity and if cost effective, identify specialised salt tolerant pasture species to sow which make use of the excess water and increase dry matter production and livestock productivity;
   • Drainage to provide an outfall for rising saline water and to lower the water tables to below the root zone. Usually a ‘last resort’ option but may provide a benefit to the area.

Sustainable Grazing on Saline Land has demonstrated that there are major opportunities to increase farm profitability and livestock production through changed management of saline areas.

Addressing salinised land with a view to improving productivity also delivers environmental benefits through improved soil heath, biodiversity and removing salt from the surface of the landscape.

© Copyright 2008 Australian Wool Innovation (AWI)

• Legal terms
• Privacy policy
• Contact us
• Site map