Climate, land & water

Western Australia’s agriculture sector needs access to productive soil and water resources for growth and profit. However, the sector must compete with increasing resource demands from all sectors of the community, and the pressures of a changing climate. The Agriculture and Food division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development supports agriculture by providing long-term management solutions, practical risk management strategies and tools to maintain and improve resource conditions, to meet the needs of industry and stakeholders. Agriculture and Food is also pioneering soil and water investigation of the state’s undeveloped areas to establish new irrigated agricultural industries.

Articles

  • A small decrease in soil pH represents a large increase in soil acidity.

  • Agricultural lime is any product that is used to increase the pH of soil. In Western Australia, the three main sources are limesand, limestone and dolomitic lime.

  • Aluminium toxicity in the subsurface is the major problem associated with soil acidity in Western Australia.

  • Carbonate from calcium carbonate (or magnesium carbonate) neutralises acid in the soil.

  • In this section you will find detailed information on various case studies highlighting the long-term benefits of liming and different options used by farmers for incorporating lime.

  • Convert to 100% neutralising value (NV) for equal comparison and discount to allow for differences in particle size and speed of reaction.

  • Sowing low-input cover crops late in the season (late July to early August) will produce enough soil cover in most areas to protect against wind erosion.

  • Management of weeds, disease and nitrogen nutrition are ongoing challenges that limit yield potential.

  • Water repellence results in uneven wetting of soil in autumn which can result in patchy and staggered crop and pasture emergence. Sandy soils are particularly susceptible.

  • Soil wetting agents reduce the effects of repellence by lowering the surface tension of the water which improves infiltration.

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