In Western Australia’s South Westagricultural zone there are 3 million hectares of lateritic gravels or ironstone gravel soils. These are sandy soils that have a cemented laterite surface or caprock.

Many growers are using contractors with specialised machinery that rips and pulverises this top-layer, making sowing easier and improving the likelihood of good crop establishment. What is also needed for developing crops is good nutrition and Lateritic soils bind-up phosphorus, an essential nutrient for young plants.With GRDC investment,on-farm trial are underway to test for nutrient levels in these soils and development nutrient packages for crop management.

Contact

Ben Whisson
bw@consultag.com.au

More information

• Lateritic soils video playlist
• Yield benefits and economics of crushing sheet laterite soils
• Should the gravel content of soils impact on your input management decisions