Acid soils
AWI is currently undertaking two projects that focus on the economic returns from applying lime to pastures.
Soil acidity and the associated high levels of aluminium and manganese can significantly reduce pasture productivity.
AWI currently invest in two projects with NSW DPI looking into the effect of lime application on soil acidity, pasture productivity and wool production.
The MASTER (Managing Acid Soils Through Efficient Rotations) project has been running for over 10 years and is investigating the effect of applying incorporated lime on surface and subsoil acidity, pasture and sheep productivity and economics. See more information on the MASTER project.
For many non-arable areas the incorporation of lime is not feasible. Very little information exists on the effectiveness of surface applied lime in reducing both surface and subsoil acidity or the economic impact of the application.
A second project near Canberra is looking at the effect of surface applied lime and phosphorus on acidity, pasture and sheep productivity. The project will assess the potential for targeted use of phosphorus fertilizer and stocking rates to increase the returns from unincorporated lime application.