Spatial variability of soil acidity and response to liming in cropped lands of the Victorian High Rainfall Zone

2017 - 2018
CC BY 4.0

Research organisaton
Funding sources

Trial details

Researcher(s) Rob Clark
Doug Crawford
Richard MacEwan
Sorn Norng
Nathan Robinson
Kathryn Sheffield
Kerry Stott
Contact email doug.crawford@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Year(s) 2017 - 2018
Contributor Agriculture Victoria Research
Trial location(s) Devenish, VIC
Gatum, VIC
Lilliput, VIC
Maroona, VIC
Miepoll, VIC
Mininera, VIC
Newlyn, VIC
Seaspray, VIC
Werneth, VIC
Winnindoo, VIC
Spatial variability of soil acidity and response to liming in cropped lands of the Victorian High Rainfall Zone locations
Aims

This project will provide information on within-paddock variation in soil pH and related soil properties, in different regions of the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ).  To do this, we will map the horizontal and vertical variations in soil pH across 10 cropping paddocks in the Victorian HRZ. This will demonstrate to farmers how soil pH varies spatially and the economic benefits of targeting management of soil acidity to different zones within each paddock.

Key messages

Soil acidity affects up to 5.5 million hectares (50%) of Victoria’s agricultural land and soil acidification looms as a major soil
degradation issue (NHT 2001). Soil acidification can be seen is a cost of productive agricultural systems - whether from
product removal, increased potential for nitrate leaching, the build-up of soil organic acids, or from the increased use of
nitrogen fertilizers.
Soil acidity and acidification are mostly ameliorated by applying agricultural lime. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2018)
survey data show the average rate of application of lime is only about 1.5 t/ha, which is considerably less than the general
minimum recommendations of 2.5-7.5 t/ha (Agriculture Victoria 2019). Moreover, few Victorian farmers, about 1,000 (5%),
use variable rate application. Variable rate application is used to apply a wide range of agricultural chemicals, lime being
only one of many, so that the application rate is adjusted to match changing local requirements within the paddock. No
statistics are available on the application of variable rate technology for managing soil acidity, however service providers
supporting variable rate liming are increasingly active.
Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR) studied 10 case-study paddocks in the HRZ of Victoria to demonstrate the net
economic benefits of using intensive point sampling of surface soil pH and the precision application of lime in cropping
systems.
The initial pHCa distribution within each paddock was obtained by sampling at the rate of 100 soil cores per paddock
followed by spatial interpolation to a resolution of 10 square metres.
Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis was used to generate profit-maximising lime 'prescriptions’ for each homogenous pH
zone (HZ) within the 10 case-study cropping paddocks, and to quantify the net benefits of the precision liming strategy.
These benefits were compared to alternative liming strategies, including traditional approaches and uniform application.
The analysis followed the best-practice method described by Mullen (2001). It involved optimization and simulation; and it
accommodated the dynamic nature of the acidity nature of the soil, in that production in the current year is affected by
current pH and in turn has an impact on pH in the next year.
It was shown that reaping the benefits of the precision liming strategy is difficult, because benefits depend on the
decisions made by farmers and their advisors requiring a high level of data collection and management, interpretation, and
judgement.
When acid tolerant crops are grown, the net benefits of liming can generally be maximised using low-cost traditional
practices. However, if the decision-maker wants the option of planting high-value, acid-sensitive crops then it would pay to
pursue a profit-maximising strategy involving intensive point sampling, pH mapping and variable rate application.
The DCF model described in this report demonstrates the nature of the data, analysis and interpretation involved in the
decision-making process. The model has been prototyped in MS Excel® and uses Evolver, an optimization add-in that is
part of Palisade’s DecisionTools Suite. The DCF model is available from the primary author on request and can be used
with attribution.

Lead research organisation Agriculture Victoria Research
Host research organisation N/A
Trial funding source GRDC DAV00152
Trial funding source AgVic
Related program N/A
Acknowledgments

This research was funded through the Grains Research and Development Corporation (DAV00152) and the Victorian State Government. The generous assistance of Nathan Robinson (Federation University), Lisa Miller (SFS) and Kirsten Barlow (PA) and is gratefully acknowledged. The generosity of the farmers who allowed us to use their paddocks is also acknowledged.


Other trial partners Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional trial information

Method

Crop type None: No crop specified
Treatment type(s)
  • Soil Properties
Trial type Precision agriculture
Trial design Replicated

Devenish 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Gatum 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Gatum 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Lilliput 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Maroona 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Maroona 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Miepoll 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Mininera 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Mininera 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Newlyn 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Newlyn 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Seaspray 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Seaspray 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Werneth 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Werneth 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Winnindoo 2017

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified

Winnindoo 2018

Sow date Not applicable
Harvest date Not applicable
Plot size Not specified
Plot replication Not specified
Download the trial report to view additional method/treatment information
Trial source data and summary not available
Check the trial report PDF for trial results.
Observed trial site soil information
Trial site soil testing
Not specified
Soil conditions
Trial site Soil texture
Devenish, VIC Not specified
Gatum, VIC Not specified
Lilliput, VIC Not specified
Maroona, VIC Not specified
Miepoll, VIC Not specified
Mininera, VIC Not specified
Newlyn, VIC Not specified
Seaspray, VIC Not specified
Werneth, VIC Not specified
Winnindoo, VIC Not specified
Derived trial site soil information
Australian Soil Classification Source: ASRIS
Trial site Soil order
Devenish, VIC Chromosol
Gatum, VIC Chromosol
Lilliput, VIC Sodosol
Maroona, VIC Chromosol
Miepoll, VIC Sodosol
Mininera, VIC Sodosol
Newlyn, VIC Ferrosol
Seaspray, VIC Sodosol
Werneth, VIC Sodosol
Winnindoo, VIC Chromosol
Soil Moisture Source: BOM/ANU
Average amount of water stored in the soil profile during the year, estimated by the OzWALD model-data fusion system.
Year Devenish VIC Gatum VIC Lilliput VIC Maroona VIC Miepoll VIC Mininera VIC Newlyn VIC Seaspray VIC Werneth VIC Winnindoo VIC
2018 408.0mm386.5mm100.5mm617.5mm661.0mm554.2mm639.9mm478.1mm649.8mm87.2mm
2017 485.8mm423.5mm108.4mm632.5mm672.7mm561.7mm662.3mm472.3mm672.2mm137.2mm
2016 472.7mm425.5mm136.8mm644.6mm677.1mm566.3mm646.1mm542.6mm692.6mm228.6mm
2015 429.5mm412.4mm90.5mm624.6mm646.4mm529.4mm626.5mm539.2mm680.9mm244.6mm
2014 439.4mm426.2mm75.6mm605.7mm654.0mm525.3mm632.7mm488.1mm663.3mm312.4mm
2013 421.6mm439.9mm34.8mm615.0mm656.9mm549.5mm638.0mm522.9mm682.3mm326.4mm
2012 492.3mm463.2mm128.6mm640.8mm670.4mm577.6mm649.1mm556.9mm698.1mm351.9mm
2011 531.8mm505.1mm188.9mm650.6mm683.6mm589.1mm680.7mm569.6mm703.7mm336.5mm
2010 492.2mm520.3mm158.5mm671.4mm689.1mm592.2mm697.3mm516.4mm727.8mm320.4mm
2009 383.1mm501.3mm87.6mm645.7mm668.0mm569.7mm627.6mm477.0mm681.2mm248.5mm
2008 422.5mm496.6mm84.2mm620.8mm660.5mm562.5mm592.3mm462.5mm670.7mm265.5mm
2007 397.7mm518.4mm90.3mm620.8mm626.8mm551.6mm559.2mm484.8mm667.2mm272.9mm
2006 435.6mm505.3mm109.0mm610.7mm641.9mm512.3mm569.2mm463.9mm676.5mm236.5mm
2005 419.2mm530.4mm166.4mm627.5mm671.5mm521.5mm672.0mm490.5mm690.7mm271.6mm
2004 353.6mm543.6mm181.2mm610.9mm657.2mm522.2mm605.3mm528.8mm682.0mm274.1mm
2003 379.0mm547.2mm164.8mm635.3mm667.3mm530.2mm539.4mm462.3mm672.6mm327.3mm
2002 363.6mm495.1mm222.4mm577.7mm618.7mm512.0mm506.6mm520.6mm602.2mm325.8mm
2001 419.0mm517.8mm375.7mm587.8mm625.7mm521.5mm560.4mm550.0mm619.5mm409.0mm
2000 406.1mm497.9mm401.4mm566.0mm564.5mm516.5mm496.3mm487.4mm590.6mm412.5mm
National soil grid Source: CSIRO/TERN
NOTE: National Soil Grid data is aggregated information for background information on the wider area
Actual soil values can vary significantly in a small area and the trial soil tests are the most relevant data where available

Soil properties

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Climate

Derived climate information

No observed climate data available for this trial.
Derived climate data is determined from trial site location and national weather sources.

Devenish VIC

Gatum VIC

Lilliput VIC

Maroona VIC

Miepoll VIC

Mininera VIC

Newlyn VIC

Seaspray VIC

Werneth VIC

Winnindoo VIC

Devenish VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Gatum VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Lilliput VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Maroona VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Miepoll VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Mininera VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Newlyn VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Seaspray VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Werneth VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Winnindoo VIC

NOTE: Exact trial site locality unknown - Climate data may not be accurate
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Some data on this site is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology

SILO weather estimates sourced from https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/silo/
Jeffrey, S.J., Carter, J.O., Moodie, K.B. and Beswick, A.R. (2001). Using spatial interpolation to construct a comprehensive archive of Australian climate data , Environmental Modelling and Software, Vol 16/4, pp 309-330. DOI: 10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00008-1.



Trial last modified: 22-03-2023 09:13am AEST