Australian sandy soils have traditionally been seen as inferior for agriculture when compared to loam and clay soils. The low water, nutrient and carbon holding capacity of sands in one of the driest, oldest and infertile continents affirms this view. However, sandy soils comprise 19% and more than 52% of the area dryland cropped to cereals in South Australia and Western Australia respectively. Consequently, it has been necessary for farmers to adapt and innovate to profitably utilize these soils.
This paper traces recent initiatives, that have been used to increase the productive capacity of sandy soils in southern Australia by ameliorating individual and multiple constraints. These constraints include wind erosion, water repellence, compaction, acidity and nutrient deficiencies. The roles of minimum and strategic deep tillage and amendments including clay, and lime have had a profound effect on increasing crop production and farm profitability. The role of organic amendments is not so clear. Often these production increases have occurred where multiple constraints are removed in one operation. The longevity and profitability of these practices will be discussed with specific reference to re-compaction in deep sands.
The role of sands can extend beyond their geographical locality. Recent research has shown the benefit of sand as a mineral mulch for clay soils in low rainfall regions. The novel role of sand as an amendment in Australian agricultural systems expands our thinking about the future management of sands and sands research.