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

  • 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.

  • In this section you will find answers to commonly asked questions from Western Australian growers and consultants about lime, liming and soil and pH testing, as well as links to other useful inform

  • Sand or loam topsoil over alkaline clay subsoil at <30 centimetres (cm).

  • 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.

  • Furrow sowing forms micro-relief, small ridges and furrows, into which water can be harvested.

  • Water repellence develops when there is an accumulation of hydrophobic organic substances in a susceptible soil. Hydrophobic compounds are derived from plant and microbial sources.

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