Finding common ground on soil health
Growers recently came together in Goomboorian with a shared goal: building healthier soil for stronger, more resilient crops.
Part of an ongoing series of grower-led learning opportunities being delivered by Growcom, the group took the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and get hands-on in assessing, measuring, and improving soil health, looking at key indicators like microbial activity and macro-biology, soil structure, texture, and pH.
On the day, agronomist Liam Riedy from Metagen shared comparative results of soil analysis using advanced sequencing technology from three local farms growing persimmons, macadamias, and Brussels sprouts.
Significant differences in beneficial microbial activity, pest suppression, and ecological maturity of the soil were observed with each sample.
Interestingly, while the macadamia orchard sample showed the lowest levels of beneficial microbes—which support root development, immunity, and nutrient uptake—it had the highest level of natural pest suppression.
Host farmer, Ian Graham’s Brussels sprouts soil sample emerged as the overall healthiest. It had the highest score in nutrient cycling and scored strongly in ecological maturity and resilience (measured by disturbance intensity), as well as pest suppression.
Ian credits this to soil management practices.
“To reduce pathogen loads and minimise diseases, we give our fields at least three years rest,” Ian said, adding that “until very recently, we also applied eight to12 tonnes of compost per hectare every year.”
“In addition to cover cropping, rest and compost, we constantly monitor our nutrient levels and adjust our nutrient budget accordingly. We apply what the plant needs.”
These practices were described by Hort360 GBR Officer and workshop facilitator Michelle Haase as a “textbook example of best management practice where soil health and water quality outcomes align.”
As well as understanding what soil indicators to look for, growers learned how to assess soil pH, structure, and texture on their own farms during a session in a soil pit with soil scientist Dr Gareth Glasspool of Agri Technovation.
Overall, key takeaways from Common Ground included:
Cover crops, compost, and microbes are powerful tools.
They improve biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and soil structure across all crops.
Less disturbance equals healthier soil.
No-till and permanent groundcover help preserve microbial life and soil carbon. Strategies like minimising tillage and enhancing species diversity of interrow cover deliver the best results.
Knowing the pH of your soil is crucial.
pH that is too high or too low ‘locks up’ nutrients in the soil, limiting plants’ ability to use those nutrients.
This project is jointly supported by the Integrated Engagement and Capacity Building project through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program delivered by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
