Gravel soil research could lift KI grain crop profitability

Led by the University of Western Australia, the GRDC-funded research will aim to improve knowledge of the properties of gravel soils, (also known as ironstone gravel) and provide growers with a more informed management strategy for the grain crops grown on them.

Gravel soils are used for agricultural production across an estimated two million hectares of land on KI and in medium to high rainfall areas of WA.

Head of the UWA School of Agriculture and Environment SoilsWest co-director Daniel Murphy, who is leading the project, said research would utilise advances in the chemistry and physics fields, as well as leverage technology and knowledge from industries such as mining.

"We will work with other researchers with geological and mining skills to generate new understandings about the mineralogy and physical characteristics of these soils, especially their soil moisture holding capacity and high rates of phosphorus fixation," he said.

"Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development researchers have previously confirmed, through GRDC-invested research, that crop plants grown on these soils have poor access to water and phosphorus."

Specifically, Mr Murphy said the research would include mineralogical laboratory studies investigating the physical and chemical structure of ironstone gravel particles.

"The research will generate new foundational scientific knowledge, including about nutrient interactions, that will feed into future GRDC soils projects that deliver practical outcomes to grain growers," he said.

Existing knowledge based off a review of literature, and grower and adviser experiences, will identify knowledge gaps and will assist with providing a clear direction for the research.