Legumes on Sands
Improving the production of legume crops on sandy soils to improve ground cover and reduce erosion risk
Key objectives
Investigate which legume crops are best suited for cultivation on sandy soils in the SA Mallee region to enhance yield and groundcover.
Explore and develop agricultural management practices that maximize biomass, stubble generation, and persistence, contributing to sustained soil health and productivity.
About the project
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscapes Board, Mallee Sustainable Farming and Mallee farmers have identified that legume crops grown on sandy soils in the SA region are providing sub-optimal levels yield and vegetative groundcover. This can lead to the soil condition benefits usually provided by the legume crop during the growing season at a risk of being lost due to subsequent wind erosion on these soils. This leaves the soil vulnerable to ongoing erosion and can lead to reduced productivity and groundcover protection of subsequent crops.
This project commenced in 2019 to address this issue within the target SA Mallee environment. Specifically, the project aims to explore and develop methods and practices that will improve long-term groundcover retention on in sandy soils where legumes are grown regularly in the rotation. This includes investigating which legume crops are most suitable to be grown on sandy soils and evaluation of management practices landholders could implement to maximise biomass and stubble generation and persistence.
Improving legume performance on sands 2020
Improving legume performance on sands with YP & Mid North Consultant Sam Trengrove from Trengrove Consulting & Jeremy Nelson from Murraylands & Riverland Landscapes Board. We had two fantastic days of field days in South Australia early September 2020. With over 100 attendees across both days, an impressive line-up of speakers, delicious lunch and snack packs and then finishing the day with an icy cold beer or two – we reckon the driving field days were a big success! Massive thanks to our sponsors and partners as well as everyone who attended for supporting our field days.
Improving legume performance on sands 2019
Mallee Sustainable Farming trials looking to improve legume growth and establishment on sandy soils.
Working together with farmers
Other MSF Projects
