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Sandy soils of the southern region: a technical manual to identify, evaluate and manage constraints – GRDC (Manual)

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) webpage introduces the manual, Sandy soils of the southern region [PDF 15.3 MB, 56 pages]. The manual explains how to diagnose and manage common constraints – like poor water use, soil strength, water repellence, acidity and low fertility – on sandy soils across southern Australia. It describes how to identify the main constraint, match it to the right amelioration tool (e.g. deep ripping, spading, inclusion ripping), and estimate likely crop and economic responses using local trial data. The manual is based on 6 years of trials across low‑ to medium‑rainfall areas and helps growers compare costs and returns before investing. While the advice is tailored for grain cropping in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, it may also be of interest to growers in other grain-growing regions. #

Chapters:
Key constraints to production on sand
Mitigation
Amelioration
Evaluation of treatments

  • Audience: RSP, tertiary students, landholders, SFSG, consultants
  • State: WA, SA, VIC, NSW
  • Author/Editor: T McBeath (Ed.), M Azeem, R da Silva, J Desboilles, M Fraser, C Saunders, M Ucgul
  • Publisher: GRDC
  • Resource Type: Manual
  • Copyright Year: 2024
  • Not Provided
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Resource Last Updated: August 18, 2025

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