Soil amendments are products that increase the ability of soils or drain sediments to retain phosphorus (known as their phosphorus retention capacity). The Regional Estuaries Initiative has developed partnerships with farmers and local governments to trial soil amendments targeting high phosphorus loss areas in drains, urban sporting fields and paddocks on dairy farms.

The trials use Iron Man Gypsum (IMG), produced by Iluka Resources Ltd in Capel, which has a high capacity to retain phosphorus.

Four soil trials have been established exploring five application rates and four incorporation techniques on sites in the Peel-Harvey and Vasse-Wonnerup catchments.  A further seven trials are testing five different designs incorporating IMG in the base of drains in the Peel-Harvey catchment.

Read more information about soil amendment trials here.

Read more information about drain treatment trials here.