Catchment Scale Water and Soil Balance Modelling in Southern Australia

摘要

Land clearance for agricultural production in parts of southern Australia has resulted in increased deep drainage and consequently, shallow saline watertables. The saline waters have caused deterioration in soil and water quality and reduction in agricultural production. The water use of three pastures was studied over two years. It was found that newly sown lucerne halves the amount of deep drainage compared with the established cocksfoot pasture that most farmers have sown (average deep drainage below lucerne was 7% of annual rainfall).