The Australian grains belt has large areas of sodic soils, which in nature are dispersive and often associated with dense subsoils with high soil strength that can restrict root penetration and uptake of water and nutrient, with consequent limitations to productivity. While previous assessments of wheat question to impact of root penetration ability on sodic and dense soil performance, there was relatively little genetic difference in root penetration ability on highly dense soils (1.65 g/cm3).

This investment will examine a wider source of wheat germplasm for performance in soils with high soil strength. An efficient method to screen for higher yielding wheat germplasm in sodic soils will also be developed.