Salting the Earth: Intentional Application of Common Salt to Australian Farmland during the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

During the nineteenth century, common salt (NaCl) was liberally applied to Australian farmland as a manure to improve productivity and as a fungicide to prevent, or at least reduce, the impact of rust in wheat. In an age where salinity control is paramount for biodiversity and agricultural productivity alike, it is worth reflecting that during the nineteenth century salt was intentionally applied as a manure to improve soil productivity. This paper traces the origin and extent of this practice in Australia.

Keywords

• agricultural heritage
• dryland salinity
• land-use history
• wheat growing