The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Southern Farming Systems are looking at ways to improve hostile subsoils and are encouraging interested landholders to get involved.
Hostile sub soils restrict plant root growth and biological activity in the soil.
Years of water logging and compaction caused by agricultural practices can prevent plants from fulfilling their yield potential.
Improving the quality of the sub soil by breaking down these barriers can create a more resilient and profitable system for farming.
Southern Farming Systems Simon Falkiner said incorporating urban green waste and manure into the soil at depths of up to 40cm could improve soil characteristics and increase biology.
"We see subsoiling as a way of reusing waste products generated by our urbanised lifestyles and the production of food to enhance our ability to grow sustainable and nutritious food," he said.
"Creating these channels of organic matter not only allows the plant roots to grow deeper into the soil, it also provides a great habitat for increasing soil biodiversity where worms, invertebrates and fungi all work at keeping our soils healthy and functioning."
Chelsey Agg, Corangamite CMA, said the project aimed to improve the productive and biological capacity of the soils in the South West region.
"We can do this by engaging landholders who are interested in improving their soil health and being part of this exciting research," she said.
Interested landholders should contact the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority at info@ccma.vic.gov.au or Southern Farming Systems at office@sfs.org.au.
This project is supported by the Corangamite CMA through funding from the federal government's National Landcare Program.
