Six grower groups have identified priority soil constraints and soils to be included in this project. Using predominantly glasshouse studies, the effectiveness of novel amelioration methods will be evaluated in these soils, relative to the current industry best practice methods. This work will therefore set an unconstrained benchmark of soil performance and will identify successful options for future field studies.
The project will determine the mode of action of the amelioration methods enabling CRC researchers to optimise source material and/or the development of new products to improve efficiency of amelioration and will also inform effective application technologies. Many currently used surface applied ameliorants have little effect lower in the profile where subsoils constraints exist. This project will quantify the benefit of ameliorating these constraints. The data produced during these studies will input into the development of Decision Support Systems produced within the CRC. Therefore the project services researchers, grower groups and their members and possible industry stakeholders interested in development of new products.

Soils often exhibit multiple constraints that limit their productivity. Collaborating staff identified a local soil that had regularly underperforming crop production. Initial soil analyses identified sodicity and subsoil salinity and alkalinity to be the likely constraints to production.
Soil was taken from the field in layers 0-10, 10- 50, 50-100cm to be used in glasshouse experiments to quantify the production loss due to the constraints and record the impact on soil properties following application of a range of rates of different amendments.
Based on results of experiments in the study, a final series of glasshouse experiments have been initiated which aim to understand the mechanism of amelioration of potential soil amendments.
It appears that whilst some improvements in soil properties are possible with amendments, it may be impractical to overcome the inherent constraints of deep subsoil.