Abstract

Current adoption of deep-rooted perennial plants on Western Australian farms at risk of salinisation is currently too low to prevent more salinisation. Adoption of these plants requires farmers to voluntarily change their farming practices away from systems based almost solely on annual plants. In order to understand the drivers of the adoption of salinity management practices, a mail survey was distributed to 940 landholders in the Wehatbelt and Great Southern regions. Of the 260 surveys returned, 70% of respondents considered salinity to be a current or potential problem on their property. Most landholders in both regions were aware of the perennial options available to combat salinity. Classification tree analysis was employed to provide greater insight into the key drivers of the adoption of perennial plants. In accordance with adoption theory, analysis of the questionnaire data indicated that the profitability of perennials and their compatability with existing farming systems were the key drivers of their adoption.