Overview
Soil Management During and After Drought
Drought places extreme stress on soils, affecting structure, biology, nutrient availability, and increasing the risk of wind and water erosion. This factsheet outlines the short-term changes that occur in soil behaviour during drought and provides practical strategies to minimise damage and support soil recovery when conditions improve.
Key impacts include increased wetting-up requirements—particularly in clay soils—heightened water repellence (especially in sandy soils), and reduced microbial activity due to lack of moisture and food sources. Drought also contributes to increased nitrogen availability (due to reduced crop uptake) and variable phosphorus dynamics depending on soil type. Physical and chemical constraints such as salinity, sodicity, and compaction are often exacerbated, and erosion risks escalate as soil cover declines.
To manage these effects, landholders are encouraged to maintain surface cover wherever possible, avoid unnecessary tillage, and tailor fertiliser strategies based on post-drought soil tests. Emergency tillage and clay application may be necessary in eroding areas, but only under appropriate conditions. Consideration should also be given to crop rotation, disease risk, herbicide residue, and water repellence.
By understanding how soils behave under drought stress and applying targeted management practices, farmers can protect soil assets, retain productivity, and lay the foundation for long-term recovery and resilience.
