Across the southern regions of Australia, growers have been observing ‘water left behind’ after growing crops in sandy soils. This poor crop water use is due to several constraints in sandy soils that present challenges for crop production.

The technical manual 'Sandy soils of the southern region' brings together the latest advice on identifying the key constraints, matching the amelioration option to the constraint identified, reviewing trial results for relevant combinations of constraint–treatment–location to estimate the likely response, and a process for evaluating the cost and likely return for a treatment.