Life Sciences Commons^™

Greener Pastures 6 - Managing Soil Acidity In Dairy Pastures, Mike Bolland, Bill Russell, Martin Staines, Richard Morris, John Lucey, D L. Bennett

Bulletins 4000 -

During 1999-2009, soil testing for pH (in CaCl2) was used to determine lime application for 48 paddocks at the Vasse Research Centre at Busselton, in the south-west of Western Australia (WA).

Paddocks had been grazed intensively by dairy cows and their young stock over a period of 10 years, as part of the Vasse Milk Farmlets and Greener Pastures farming system projects. Pasture consisted of annual ryegrasses with some subterranean clover. Soils in the 48 paddocks were 1-2 m sand to sandy loam over massive clay, known locally as Abba sand.

For many soils in the region, including Abba sands, …

Survey Of Western Australian Agricultural Lime Sources, Chris Gazey, Dave Gartner

Bulletins 4000 -

As a service to WA wheatbelt farmers, to assist with cost effective management of soil acidity, a survey of agricultural lime availability and quality was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia.

The quality of agricultural lime surveyed varied widely between pits. High quality lime is available from limes and, limestone and dolomite sources. Twice as much of the lowest neutralising value lime surveyed would need to be applied compared to the highest to achieve the same increase in soil pH. Limes also varied in the distribution of particle sizes. Selecting limes with a high proportion of …

Subsurface Acidity, Mike Bolland, Chris Gazey, Amanda Miller, Dave Gartner, Julie-Anne Roche

Bulletins 4000 -

Productive agriculture increases the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil, which acidifies the soil.

Aluminium is a component of many soil constituents, including clays and oxides, and is also present on the surfaces of soil organic matter. As the concentration of hydrogen ions in soil increases, soil pH decreases, and aluminium starts to dissolve from the soil constituents, increasing the concentration of aluminium ions in soil solution.

As the concentration of aluminium ions in the solution increases, the aluminium in the soil solution becomes increasingly toxic to plant roots, reducing root growth. The smaller amounts of plant roots explore a …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2002 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension Project has produced a summary of the activities, research results and recommendations each year and this book is the last in a series of seven.

The Department of Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO have supported the project with industry funds from The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).

The high level of funding for soil acidity research, development and extension comes to an end in June 2002. It is now time for the management of soil acidity to be part of all …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2001 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

This book for 2001 again summarises the work being carried out by staff of The Integrated Soil Acidity Research, Development and Extension projects in Western Australia. These projects are based at Agriculture Western Australia, The University of Western Australia and CSIRO.

Several articles in this book are an indication that the current round of funding for this work is drawing to a close in June 2002. The articles reflect our increasing understanding of not only the effects of soil acidity but also the time required for current practices of surface applied lime to ameliorate acidity in both the surface and …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 2000 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We have come a long way over the past three or four years in terms of both, the level of understanding and recognition of Soil Acidity as a major land degradation issue for the wheatbelt of Western Australia, and, in our actions to treat the problem.

During 1999 there were three very significant changes relating to acid soils in Western Australia.

• Lime use in WA increased by over 200,000 tonnes from 1998 to 1999 to a record 653,000 tonnes, which was double the amount applied in 1997.
• The Agricultural Lime Industry adopted a voluntary Lime Industry Code of Practice in …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1999 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

We all know we have to apply lime as part of our farming systems. This means that a huge amount of lime will be applied to soils which have never had lime applied before.

One of the effects of this is that we can now consider thinking about introducing acid-sensitive systems to soils, which previously would have been considered too acid.

The other side of liming is that the pH changes affect many soil properties. There is an element of uncertainty about whether unforeseen side effects will emerge on our fragile soils as a result of this new practice.

The …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1998 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

Recent yield responses by canola where lime has been applied to acidic soils are very encouraging. Two sites have shown that the yield increase in canola after lime was applied in the previous year would have easily paid for the total cost of purchase, transport and application of the lime.

This work was carried out to demonstrate the increased options that are likely to be available once producers are treating or managing soil acidity. Canola is becoming increasingly important as a cash value crop and a break crop allowing wider rotations.

Growers are pushing the limits of canola’s tolerance to …

Western Australia Soil Acidity Research And Development Update 1997 : Time To Lime, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

There is a lot of lime being spread in Western Australia – or is there?

In fact, the Australian Bureau of Statistics agricultural census paints a picture showing that we are still far short of the amount of lime that should be getting on to the ground.

For many years Western Australian soils acidified without significant production penalties. The soil pH was at values that were not affecting plant growth. However, over the last decade or so, large areas of soils have reached the point where production is being affected. In addition, we are now introducing plant species such as …

Monitoring And Managing Soil Acidity, Fionnuala Frost, Extension Officer, Northam

Bulletins 4000 -

This Bulletin provides information on how to identify acid soils and remedy the problem of excessive acidity. Material in this handbook is suitable for broadscale agricultural systems, and perennial and permanent pastures in the medium and higher rainfall areas of the State.

Acidity of both the surface and subsurface layers of soil is addressed. Each can be important in affecting plant growth and therefore the profitability of the farm.