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Drought doesn’t kill all soil organisms—many survive by entering dormant states and quickly rebound after rain if food, moisture, and temperature conditions are favourable.

Sandier soils can outperform heavier soils by making better use of light rains and offering more plant-available water, especially when underlain by clay subsoil for

Standing or slashed stubble doesn’t significantly change moisture conservation, but maintaining anchored stubble roots helps stabilise soil structure and improves water infiltration.

Keeping paddocks weed-free over summer significantly conserves soil moisture, with research indicating potential savings of up to 86 mm compared to weedy paddocks.

Intense fires (>300°C) can increase soil repellence by pushing organic matter deeper, while cooler stubble burns may reduce repellence but at the cost of beneficial

Soil repellence appears reduced in wet years because increased moisture weakens hydrophobic bonds, allowing water to infiltrate more easily, but repellence returns when the soil

Crop establishment is poorer on dry-sown water repellent sands because dry sowing disrupts natural water entry paths and funnels more repellent soil into seed furrows,

Water repellent soil typically occurs in the top 10–15 cm, usually strongest between 2–5 cm depth, but can start slightly below the surface in bare

Wetting agents reduce water repellence by lowering surface tension (penetrants) and retaining moisture near roots (humectants), with best results from seed-zone application on stable furrows;

Soils become water repellent when organic compounds from plant residues, animal manure, and microbes coat soil particles, especially under dry conditions that slow their breakdown.