Useful Soils / Compost References and Links
Useful Soils / Compost References
The following is a list of useful references provided as background and preparation for the 2021 Healthy Soils & Productive Groves field days.
Soils and soil moisture:
- Soil Health: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_home
- Soil health checklist: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox
- Managing for healthy soil (5 steps): http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox_managing_soil
- Nutrient status: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_nutrients
- Organic matter: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_organic
- Soil biology: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_biology
- Soil health by subject: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_toolbox_subject
- Soil structure: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_soil_structure
- Soil type: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/soilhealth_soil_type
- Soil moisture monitoring – a selection guide: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/horticulture/soil-moisture-monitoring-selection-guide
Interpreting soil and leaf analysis test reports:
- NSW DPI: How to interpret your soil test
- APAL: Soil test interpretation guide
- SESL: Interpreting a plant analysis
Compost and composting:
- Recycling solid waste from the olive oil extraction process: https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/publications/08-165.pdf and
- Olive Waste publication review by John Barton: https://australianolives.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Charton-Bang-RIRDC-olive-waste-compost-plain-language.pdf
- Compost for soils – guide your compost application: https://www.aora.org.au/sites/default/files/uploaded-content/field_f_content_file/soil_and_plant_tests_members.pdf .
- Bioptiv (Bactivate) olive case study: http://sweetersoils.com.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Bioactivate-Olive-case-study.pdf
General references on olive growing:
- ‘Olive Growing’ manual (El Cultivo Del Olivo) Ch 18 ‘Processing Olives’ (RIRDC 2010): https://australianolives.com.au/olive-growing-manual/
- ‘Handbook for a sustainable management of the olive groves’ (olive4climate 2019): https://olive4climate.eu/wp-content/uploads/Olive4Climate-Handbook-_ENG_AUGUST.pdf
- ‘Organic Olive Production Manual’ by Paul Vossen, available for purchase through on-line booksellers ($20)
Links to presentations:
AOA 2019 Annual Conference presentation:
Carbon is the backbone of soils. Almost every physical, biological and chemical function of soils revolves around soil carbon. John outlines how carbon is involved in practical outcomes on farms, concentrating on its role in soil water. Increasing the ability of soils to absorb, store and release water to plants is crucial in a time of increasing drought and water prices. Managing soil carbon is the key to unlocking soil water potential.
AOA 2020 Virtual Conference presentations:
Visit this page to access the conference session recordings. You can choose to watch the session in full or per presentation. Viewing the full session will provide access to the Q&As, which in itself is invaluable content.
- Soil management, presented by John Barton and Andy Gulliver
Dynamic presentations to assist delegates in understanding soil biology and improve soil health. Topics include composting, soil carbon, the soil biome, and how to harness them in your grove to better manage tree nutrition, available water, and tree health to improve grove productivity.
- Australian Organics Recycling Association presentation
- John Barton1 – The City in the Soil – what elements are necessary for a city to successfully function.
- John Barton2 – How to Build Soil Carbon
- John Barton3 – Soil Water & Nutrients
- John Barton4 – How to Improve Soil Water & Nutrients
- Andy Gulliver1 – Ecosystems/balance/history & society/soil carbon & biology
- Andy Gulliver2 – Soil microbiome
- Grove management, presented by Professor Andrew Robson, Alex Schultz, Craig Shepard, Joel McKechnie, Dr Luz Angelica Suarez, Dr James Brinkhoff, Professor Kerry Walsh and Jon Lockwood.
Focusing on the new technologies providing improvements and efficiencies in groves and farms across the world, from automated weather stations and water management to harvest timing via infrared technology.
For more information and to access the applications and maps: https://www.une.edu.au/research/research-centres-institutes/applied-agricultural-remote-sensing-centre/collaborative-r-and-d-opportunities/industry-applications-and-maps
- Olivegrower & Processor presentation
- Jon Lockwood remote sensing and automation
- Professor Andrew Robson – Introduction to the Remote Sensing Project
- Craig Shephard / Joel McKechnie – The Australian Tree Crop Map
- Alex Schultz – Sensors and Field Experimentation
- Dr Angelica Suarez – Satellites and Airborne Sensing
- Dr James Brinkhoff – Information Dashboard
- Professor Kerry Walsh – Infrared Technology & Infield Assessment of Fruit Moisture Content
AOA 2021 grove management video presentations
Access the following videos here.
- Andrew Taylor (Pendleton Estate) – tree pruning
- Jon Lockwood & Tass Peters (OneTemp) with Mel Hollick at Nangkita Grove – weather stations, remote sensing and automation
- Peter Wadewitz (Peats Soils) – making compost