Effects of farming systems, tillage, and traffic practices on deep drainage and soil salt loads in the Queensland Murray-Darling and Fitzroy Basins using soil chloride

Article


Silburn, D. M., Tolmie, P. E., Biggs, A. J. W. and Crawford, M. H.. 2022. "Effects of farming systems, tillage, and traffic practices on deep drainage and soil salt loads in the Queensland Murray-Darling and Fitzroy Basins using soil chloride." Soil Research. 60 (3), pp. 262-278. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR21084
Article Title

Effects of farming systems, tillage, and traffic practices on deep drainage and soil salt loads in the Queensland Murray-Darling and Fitzroy Basins using soil chloride

ERA Journal ID5248
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsSilburn, D. M., Tolmie, P. E., Biggs, A. J. W. and Crawford, M. H.
Journal TitleSoil Research
Journal Citation60 (3), pp. 262-278
Number of Pages17
Year2022
PublisherCSIRO Publishing
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN0004-9573
1446-568X
1838-675X
1838-6768
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1071/SR21084
Web Address (URL)https://www.publish.csiro.au/sr/content/allissues
Abstract

Context: Cropping in the Queensland Murray–Darling and Fitzroy Basins has precursors for secondary salinity – high soil salt loads and increased drainage after clearing.

Aims: To measure changes in deep drainage, for key tillage, traffic, and cropping systems.

Methods: Steady-state and transient chloride (Cl) mass-balance were applied to Cl profiles from four tillage and crop rotation trials and one controlled traffic trial in southern and central Queensland, to determine deep drainage below the root zone.

Key results: Large downward movement of Cl occurred after clearing. Deep drainage from transient Cl balance for cropping was a small proportion of rainfall but considerably higher than under native vegetation. Deep drainage was consistently greater under zero than conventional tillage, for both winter and summer cropping. For example, deep drainage was greatest for zero tillage (∼45 mm/year) and least for conventional, stubble mulch, and reduced tillage (2–6.3 mm/year) at the highest-rainfall site (677 mm/year). Deep drainage was 12.7 and 7.9 mm/year for zero and conventional tillage, respectively, at the lowest-rainfall site (497 mm/year). Drainage under continuous wheat conventional tillage was more than twice that where some summer crops were included. At Billa Billa, continuous wheat had greater deep drainage by three to five times than continuous sorghum for three of four tillage systems. No drainage was detected during 6 years of opportunity cropping. A pasture legume ley had only 1.7 mm/year of deep drainage. Deep drainage was less for compacted than non-compacted treatments (23.3 vs 38.2 mm/year).

Conclusion and implications: Increased deep drainage with zero tillage and controlled traffic can be reduced using summer crops, particularly opportunity cropping where crops are planted when soil water is sufficient, and ley pastures.

Keywordssteady-state mass-balance; compaction; cracking clay; dryland salinity; native vegetation; opportunity cropping; Vertosols; transient mass-balance
Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland
Centre for Agricultural Engineering
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia
University of Queensland
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