Deep-Rooted Legumes Facilitate N Fixation and Nutrient Cycling in Western Australian Deep Sandy Soils
Tracks
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:42 PM |
Overview
Speaker
Dr Luca De Prato
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Murdoch University
Deep-Rooted Legumes Facilitate N Fixation and Nutrient Cycling in Western Australian Deep Sandy Soils
Abstract
Sandy soils in Western Australia (WA), a Mediterranean-type climate, are hostile to plant establishment and growth, presenting combinations of water repellence, moderate acidity (
Extensively cropped areas of WA are suitable for perennial deep-rooted legumes; however, their adoption has been relatively slow due to farming system complexities and, for Lebeckia, an adequate seed supply.
Through projects focussing on improving soil structure and fertility for grain crops, improved deep-rooted legume cultivars were investigated in different field trials in deep sandy soils in WA to quantify soil improvement, N legacy and grain yield and quality impact, and ecosystem benefits. Similar trials have commenced on sandy soils with slightly different characteristics in the Western Cape of RSA.
Wheat biomass, grain yield and protein significantly increased following Ornithopus spp and Lebeckia cultivation in WA. N and K nutrient levels were raised in the top layer (0-10 cm) in different agroecological zones, showing the potential for recycling leached nutrients from the deeper soil layers (>60 cm).
Improving soil fertility could increase the sustainability of deep sandy soils through plant-based solutions, helping to reduce artificial fertiliser inputs and creating more sustainable options for farmers to improve soil health and organic matter under challenging conditions.
Extensively cropped areas of WA are suitable for perennial deep-rooted legumes; however, their adoption has been relatively slow due to farming system complexities and, for Lebeckia, an adequate seed supply.
Through projects focussing on improving soil structure and fertility for grain crops, improved deep-rooted legume cultivars were investigated in different field trials in deep sandy soils in WA to quantify soil improvement, N legacy and grain yield and quality impact, and ecosystem benefits. Similar trials have commenced on sandy soils with slightly different characteristics in the Western Cape of RSA.
Wheat biomass, grain yield and protein significantly increased following Ornithopus spp and Lebeckia cultivation in WA. N and K nutrient levels were raised in the top layer (0-10 cm) in different agroecological zones, showing the potential for recycling leached nutrients from the deeper soil layers (>60 cm).
Improving soil fertility could increase the sustainability of deep sandy soils through plant-based solutions, helping to reduce artificial fertiliser inputs and creating more sustainable options for farmers to improve soil health and organic matter under challenging conditions.
Biography
Dr Luca De Prato is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Murdoch University in Sustainable Agriculture, part of the Legume Rhizobium Science group. Under the HALO project, he oversees field site operational activities, water efficiency, crop productivity data collection, statistical analysis, and modelling. Previously, he was the lead operation Research Fellow for a series of agricultural projects under the Soil CRC body. He published several peer-reviewed papers, presented his research findings at national and international conferences, liaised with funding bodies, farmers and grower groups, and supervised Postgraduate and research students.
