Soil acidification affects about two million hectares of agricultural land in South Australia and is a major threat to soil health and crop and pasture production. The extent and severity of soil acidity is increasing with historically acid soils becoming more acidic and historically neutral soils with alkaline subsoils acidifying in the surface layers.

Soil acidification is a natural process, but the rate of acidification is increasing due to the high use of nitrogen fertiliser and increased cropping/hay intensity and yields. Acidification of sub-surface (10-20cm) soil layers has increased which is more difficult to treat.

Soil acidification has been associated with a decline in soil healt h particularly soil biota, including worms and rhizobia, issues with leaching, and tie-up of some soil nutrients.

Brian Hughes, Prinicpal Consultant – Soil and Land Management , PIRSA has worked across South Australia on soil and land management. In recent years this has included managing the soil acidity program in PIRSA with other partners including DEWNR.

Brian will discuss the extent and spread of acid soils in SA cropping and grazing zone includning long term monitoring data and acidification rates under cropping and grazing systems.

Brian will also bring up to date information on lime comparison trials- including new products being trialled at Wirrabara and Tungkillo, examples of precision pH mapping and tools that are being developed for comparing limes, auditing farms for acidity etc.

All welcome.

Morning tea will be provided.

To register for the event go to: https://soil_acidity_workshop.eventbrite.com.au

For more information contact Jacqui Wilson 8536 5617 | 0400 036 843 | [email protected]

This project is supported by the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and the NRM Levy.