The CRC’s vision of tackling salinity by changing the face of Australian agriculture sets some serious goals - for the extension of CRC research outputs to the farming community, and for the education of emerging scientists to undertake the next wave of plant-based research into profitable perennial solution, undertake education, build capacity and establish networks that enhance the adoption of plant-based solutions to dryland salinity

Develop the talent of the next generation of research leaders and support the professional development of current practitioners

Build capacity and establish networks to enhance the adoption of plant-based solutions to dryland salinity

This Program provides the theoretical and philosophical framework for the CRC, that new land use systems should learn from the processes of natural ecosystems. Thus Program 2 studies the native vegetation of southern Australia, its biodiversity, the form and function of its components and its patterns of water and nutrient uptake.

Understand the function of ecosystems in saline areas to elucidate mechanisms by which species tolerate the combined stresses of salinity and waterlogging

Understand water management in natural ecosystems to create the scientific fundamentals for developing plant-based solutions to dryland salinity

It is widely recognised that to prevent the further spread of salinity perennial based land use systems will need to be adopted on a large proportion of the landscape, however the current use of such systems is low. A prerequisite for change is the identification of new perennial plant options that can be introduced as components of high water use systems.

Identify and develop herbaceous perennial and annual crop and pasture plants for increased water use and profitability of recharge lands and improved profitablity of saline lands

Select and develop woody perennial germplasm for large scale, commercially viable industries within southern Australian land use systems.

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Introduce to all parts of the landscape profitable land use systems with balanced water use

Create the scientific fundamentals and scientific capacity for developing plant-based solutions focused on coping with, reducing, arresting and reversing the impacts of dryland salinity in recharge areas of the wheat belt.

Develop, test and demonstrate land use systems for salt-affected landscapes that are sustainable, profitable and have positive on- and off-site impacts

Develop, test and demonstrate new plant-based systems that are profitable and reduce off-site impacts, especially recharge to groundwater.

Estimate the impacts of new plant-based options for salinity management and evaluate policy options to influence their adoption

Evaluate the economic performance of actual and potential CRC outputs. Develop policy options recognising the socio-economic factors that lead to the adoption of new land use systems.

Identify the impact of the CRC through modelling and through analyses of resource databases. Develop tools that will assist the CRC and land managers to match land and soil capability to improved plant systems.

This Program aims to develop innovative animal production systems using new forage plants and incorporate them into profitable and practical systems.

Aims to increase profitability by exploring the feed resources of discharge areas to increase carrying capacity, manage parasites, improve product quality and reduce supplementary feeding

This research aims to develop profitable animal production systems using perennial pastures in recharge areas, improve animal performance and quality, and provide a due diligence service on new plant releases

The Biodiversity program aims to develop design criteria and management protocols for new land use systems that maximise their role in protecting, enhancing and restoring the natural biodiversity of salinising landscapes.

The Biodiversity program is about Enhancing biodiversity in salinising landscapes and seeks to develop and promote effective land uses for salinity management that protect and enhance biodiversity values in agricultural landscapes. It aims to enhance the positive outcomes and avoid the negative outcomes from plant-based systems.

The Biodiversity Program aims to develop design criteria and management protocols for new land use systems that maximise their role in protecting, enhancing and restoring the natural biodiversity of salinising landscapes