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Management of Salinity Risk

Managing land salinity is logistically complex due to the scale of the issue, which often requires a landscape-level approach, not just a site-specific fix. Salinity management action should strategically target the type and scale of salinity experienced locally, but generally consist of:

1. Adjustments to cropping/livestock systems to better suit soil conditions
This approach centres on ‘living with the salt’, by selecting more salt-tolerant cropping varieties (such as barley or canola), using saltbush for plant fodder instead of pasture grazing, and keeping the area vegetated to prevent erosion (e.g. reduced grazing intensity, cover cropping, stubble retention or application of mulch/straw if economically viable). These approaches do not necessarily address the rate or cause of salinisation, but allow for the use of saline land for agriculture and help minimise impacts to plants.

2.Use of Engineering Solutions

The instillation of subsoil drainage systems can help move saline water below the root zone. This can be paired with the application of excess irrigation water to flush salts below the root zone. However, it is important to consider the salinity of water used and the depth to groundwater when deciding if this approach is suitable for your property.
Surface drains (diversion drains and ‘W’ drains) and contour banks can be used to prevent water logging and salt accumulation at the surface.
Clay spreading/inversion can be used on sandy soils to enhance water retention near the top of the soil profile and reduce drainage into deeper layers (i.e. ground water recharge). Clay additions also enhance soil fertility, supporting increased plant establishment and growth. This increases water uptake by plants, further reducing the amount of groundwater recharge.

3. Revegetation and Land-use Change to Reduce Groundwater Recharge

Increasing water uptake by plants decreases the amount of groundwater recharge observed. This can be achieved by:

Revegetating non-arable areas of your property with deep-rooted or perennial native vegetation.
Using deep-rooted cropping varieties (e.g. Lucerne) or converting annual crops/pastures to perennial production systems.

These approaches are a long-term solution which addresses the cause of soil salinity.

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