GRDC Podcast

Gravelling and sanding problematic sodic soils

GRDC Podcast

Show Notes

Gravel and sand mulches are being tested to improve crop emergence in areas affected by challenging soil conditions, including non-wetting soils, waterlogging and salinity with some unexpected results. Ella Shaylor from SLR Agriculture explains how surface mulches can help conserve soil moisture, reduce evaporation and limit the movement of salts towards the soil surface. Local grower Jake Latham shares his experience with persistent patches where crops have struggled to germinate year after year. While gravel has performed well in previous trials, sand mulch is showing particularly promising results— raising new questions about how and why the treatment is working.

This podcast is part of a 6-part GRDC series looking at managing soil constraints in Western Australia. The project adopting innovative solutions for challenging soils is a GRDC investment led by SLR Agriculture.

Contacts:

Ella Shaylor

SLR Agriculture

[email protected]

Jake Latham

Grower

[email protected]

More Information:

https://grdc.com.au/resources-and-publications/grdc-update-papers/tab-content/grdc-update-papers/2026/02/gravel-mulch-improves-cereal-yield-and-water-use-efficiency-on-alkaline-sodic-soils-in-the-eastern-wheatbelt-of-wa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPqOC5zbwC8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foExvBXRFjo

Project/Investment Codes:

PLT2409-001SAX

SLR25002-001SAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More from GRDC Podcast

Oct 20, 2026

92,000 hectares of canola has been planted into canola stubble this year. Blackleg pathologist from the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Angela Van de Wouw, Western Australian agronomist Geoff Fosbery, and plant breeder Raymond Cowley explain why the risks of canola-on-canola far outweigh any short-term benefits.

Oct 13, 2026

Ben White and Chris Warrick from GRDC’s grain storage extension team discuss practical grain storage best practice, including fumigation timing, safe application of chemicals, ventilation and withholding periods, as well as the effective use of diatomaceous earth (DE) for storage hygiene. They share recent research and practical tips to help growers manage insects, reduce resistance risks and improve workplace safety.

Oct 11, 2026

James Manson’s pathway into agriculture has been anything but conventional. Growing up in Chiang Mai, Thailand, he spent his early years immersed in a cross-cultural environment before discovering agriculture through an internship with an agricultural development NGO working alongside hill tribe communities near the Myanmar border. What began as an adventure quickly became a passion, leading him to study agriculture and international development before building a career in applied crop research.

Oct 6, 2026

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

Oct 6, 2026

Welcome to GRDC’s National Variety Trials (NVT) new variety podcast series, where Australia's leading breeding companies share their latest releases for the 2027 growing season.

See all episodes →