Soil Science Commons^™

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 …

Seedbed Preparation For Fall Seeded Alfalfa, Kenneth L. Wells, J. Kenneth Evans

Soil Science News and Views

With the increased interest developed during the past few years on production of alfalfa hay for cash sales, the acreage seeded each year has increased • And. although UK forage specialists prefer spring seeding of alfalfa to fall seeding. some growers will and should opt for fall seeding. This is particularly true on fields which have a history of legumes and/or are contaminated with Johnsongrass. Those who do so should begin planning now to have the seedbed prepared for planting by mid-August to mid-September.

Soil Acidity And Legume Nodulation, J G. Howieson, M. A. Ewing

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Nitrogen is a basic constituent of protien and is essential to all forms of life. Many agricultural plants are legumes - a group of plants which, in co-operation with specialised soil bacteria, fix their own nitrogen from the air. When the legume dies, the organic matter breaks down anf the nitrogen becomes available to the following crops.

Soil acidity is a major factor limitimg the successful association between legumes and their beneficial soil bacteria in Western Australia.

Seedbed Preparation For Pasture Renovation, Harold B. Rice

Soil Science News and Views

In Kentucky renovation has come to mean the re-establishment of legumes in grass pastures and meadows. Many acres of grassland do not contain enough legumes to fill the amount of nitrogen needed and to improve the nutritional value of the forage. A good stand of white clover, for example, has the capacity to fix about 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Because of this, pastures containing around 40 percent clover can produce about as much meat or milk as grass pastures fertilized with 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre. For best results in seeding clovers into grass sods, fields should …

Promising Results On West Kimberley Pindan Country, A L. Payne

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN the 22 to 28 inch rainfall belt of the West Kimberley area of Western Australia are extensive areas of what is locally known as "pindan" country.

The term "pindan" refers to a light red or yellow sandy soil type supporting scattered Eucalypts, sparse-dense wattle scrub and grasses such as curly spinifex, ribbon grass and native sorghum.