4.1.1.3 - What soil types are suitable for border-check?

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Soil type is an important factor where border-check irrigation is considered. In particular the infiltration and drainage characteristics of the soil are important. Infiltration – On most Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR) soils, infiltration is typically rapid as the soil wets up (the crack-fill component), slowing to an on-going constant rate (the final infiltration rate) after ten to twenty minutes. While the crack-fill is largely dependent on the soil moisture deficit (the "dryness”) of the soil at the time of irrigation, the soil type largely determines the final infiltration rate. “Light” soils (coarser textured) tend to have higher final infiltration rates compared to “heavy” (finer textured, or clayey) soils. The design of a border-check irrigation systems can make some allowance for final infiltration rates; lighter soils need faster waterings and thus shorter bays, higher flow rates and/or steeper slopes. However, the sandy (“light”) soils in the SIR tend to have high final infiltration rates and this normally results in excessive infiltration, and poor irrigation efficiencies. These soils should be avoided for border-check irrigation development. For more information, see the Agnote “Border-check Irrigation Design” and Step 2.3.7.2

Some soils are not suitable for border-check irrigation

• Drainage – The heavier (clayey) soils tend to be flatter and situated lower in the landscape, resulting in poorer drainage characteristics. While such soils can be successfully irrigated by border-check irrigation (subject to drainage and the above comments on slope), they tend not to be as productive as “medium” textured soils.

For information on soil types in the Shepparton Irrigation Region, go to Step 2.2.1

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