Soil related information and tools
APSoil
APSoil is a database of soil water characteristics
enabling estimation of Plant Available Water Capacity for individual
soils and crops. It covers many cropping regions of Australia and is
regularly updated. It is designed for use in simulation modelling
and agronomic practice.
APSoil enables the user to:
View individual soil and crop species data in
spreadsheet and graphical formats
Develop personal APSoil directories of locally
relevant soils
Modify soils to fit local conditions eg sub-soil
constraints
Include digital images or .pdf files relating to
individual soils
Check soil files for APSIM compatibility
Run the APSIM model using soils developed within APSoil
Click here to download APSoil (3.2Mb - version 5.6, 22nd July 2008)
Click here to download the latest APSoil
database. (3.8MB - version 1.75, 19th June 2009) (once it is save then you can open this .soils file using the APSoil application [see above for download] or add it as a Toolbox in APSIM.)
Click here to view the APSoil
database in Google Earth.
Soil Matters
This manual comprises a set of modules that provide background
information on, and describe the best practice in, soil monitoring.
The simple explanation of soil and plant processes enables the
results of soil monitoring to be used with confidence to achieve
more profitable and sustainable crop management. This handbook
provides a simple explanation of the key soil processes as a basis
for learning, and practical guidance when making soil measurements to
aid decision-making. In APSRU our experience with on-farm collaborative
research has highlighted many issues for which a ready source of reference
would be valuable.
The Soil Matters handbook is intended to fill this need, whilst providing
references to sources of more detailed information.
Compiled by N.P. Dalgliesh and M.A. Foale
Click here to read Soil Matters (html version)
Click here to read Soil Matters (pdf version)
Estimating Plant Available Water Capacity - A Methodology
The GRDC Project Training growers to manage soil water involves research
organisations, consultants and farmers across five Australian states (New South
Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia) in training activities
associated with the management of soil water and in the characterisation of soils for
Plant Available Water Capacity (PAWC). This document (PDF - 2.1Mb)
provides practitioners with practical information, methodologies and tools for the characterisation of PAWC with
the aim of ensuring consistency across regions.
To download the datasheets referenced in the above document
click here (69Kb)