Archive: June 2023

Soil Science Australia conference line up

For the first time in its history, Soil Science Australia is holding its biennial national conference in the Northern Territory, with the theme ‘Our Soil: Spirit of a Nation’. The conference takes place in Darwin from 25 to 30 June and provides a great opportunity for delegates to hear from a va...

Unearthing the secrets of soil management

Dr Chloe Lai of the University of Southern Queensland is leading a new Soil CRC project investigating the best ways to manage multiple soil constraints, such as sodicity, acidity, and salinity, which are known to limit a soil’s yield. The University of Southern Queensland shared her story: “Our ...

CRC invests in new soil research

The Soil CRC has announced funding for six new research projects with a cash investment of $2.7 million and a further $6.2 million of in-kind contributions from participants. Soil CRC CEO Dr Michael Crawford said the new projects focus on end-user engagement, adoption of research outcomes and commer...

Soil microbial indicators: What do they mean and how can we use them?

The last decade or so has seen an increased recognition of soil biology’s role in crop and pasture production and ecosystem health. Scientific advances have provided new ways to measure the diversity, abundance and function of soil microbiota, delivering a range of soil biology metrics. Landholder...

PhD student shines light on soil health

As a former chef, Phil Kay’s passion for sustainable food production led him to embark on a PhD with the Soil CRC in 2019. Three years on, his research is uncovering the relationship between soil health and its biological communities. Read what Phil has to say about his PhD journey. What is the ai...

Investing in soil stewardship

Rewarding farmers for good soil stewardship requires financial markets that are willing and able to invest in soil management. Unlocking this investment in soils is the focus of the ‘Rewarding soil stewardship’ project led by Dr Nicholas Pawsey from Charles Sturt University. The project is endea...

Soil amendment trial underway in Burdekin, Queensland

Australia’s agricultural soils are often plagued with multiple physical and chemical constraints that hinder crop root growth and access to water. By reducing these constraints, roots can more easily penetrate the soil and access the essential resources they need to grow. A Soil CRC field tria...