Pasture selection for salinity and waterlogging

Selecting the right pasture species is crucial for maintaining productive grazing systems, particularly in challenging conditions like waterlogging and salinity.

The impact of salinity on plant species depends on a combination of soil type, salinity levels, and waterlogging. Many plants can withstand higher-than-expected salinity if the soil remains well-drained. However, when waterlogging occurs, their tolerance to salinity drops significantly, making it much harder for them to survive in affected areas.

Different species have varying levels of tolerance, so understanding their adaptability helps maximise resilience and productivity.

Waterlogging Tolerance

Pastures in high-rainfall or flood-prone areas must handle prolonged wet conditions to avoid plant losses.

Balansa clover is a common option, as it is a salt-tolerant annual clover capable of thriving in salinity conditions. It has excellent flood resistance, thanks to its hollow stems, which enable oxygen to reach the roots even when partially submerged.

Salinity Tolerance

Saline soils can limit pasture growth, so choosing species that thrive under these conditions is essential. In mildly saline areas, strawberry clover and tall fescue work well.

Soil salt concentrations peak at the end of summer due to evaporation drawing salts toward the surface. As winter rains arrive, they leach the salts deeper into the soil, allowing winter-growing plants to avoid the highest salinity levels. The most reliable time to assess soil salinity is between November and March, when levels are relatively stable and reflect the maximum exposure that plants may face.