Soil biology review and project prioritisation

Summary

Soil health has been identified as a key theme area of the Feedbase Investment Plan.
Based on a review of an MLA discussion paper, a “strawman” discussion paper was developed which suggested priority research topics in the soil biology area. The “strawman” was tested at an interactive workshop with producers, advisors and researchers from which emerged a series of key objectives for a single project specification to be developed to address soil-borne root diseases in sub-clover.
Soil borne root disease in southern Australian pastures was agreed to represent a significant productivity constraint, particularly during the autumn-winter period and therefore an opportunity to assist producers lift productivity considerably if soil-borne diseases could be adequately managed.
University of Western Australia and SARDI were confirmed as the best candidates to undertake the work.
Project specifications were developed for two soil biology projects and are provided. One for the main project to cover objectives indicated at the soil biology workshop and a second to complement the first project should additional funds become available.
Subsequently, the project development in soil biology needed to account for potential overlaps with parallel research planning on “Plant Health” within the Feedbase plan development. There was also overlap with the Legume Performance theme, particularly with respect to productivity and persistence of legume species in pastures.
A project specification and accompanying contract schedule was developed for soil biology research which addressed the defined soil biology research objectives and also contributed to some elements of the “Plant Health” research priorities.
A second project specification was developed to complement the first project should additional funds become available.
Suggestions for complementary PhD projects are provided.