ALUMINIUM
TOXICITY
DEMONSTRATIONS
AMELIORATION OF SUBSOIL ALUMINIUM TOXICITY FOR IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY IN THE NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL REGION
Commencement date
June 2019
Completion date
February 2022
Aim
This project has two main aims:
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To demonstrate the soil health benefits of using soil amendments combined with cultivation to address subsoil aluminium toxicyt.
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To increase awareness and support the adoption of tools and methods to identify and effectively manage aluminium toxicty.
Funding Provider
National Landcare Program, Small Grants Round 2
Project lead organisation
Liebe Group
Collaborators
DPIRD
Project background
Aluminium toxicity in the subsoil is a major problem associated with acidic soils across the Western Australian Wheatbelt. In most Wheatbelt soils, where the subsoil pH is below 4.8, aluminium will reach levels that are considered toxic and yield limiting to crops. Current practices to ameliorate surface soil (0-20cm) acidity have been successful and farmers are now seeking validation on practices that ameliorate subsoil (below 20 cm depth) acidity and aluminium toxicity.
Two demonstration sites will be established, using farmer equipment to apply and incorporate different soil amendments such as lime, gypsum, and biochar, to reduce the productivity and profitability impacts of aluminium toxicity and improve soil health. Demonstration of practices to identify aluminium toxicity using existing tools such as soil sampling to depth and methods to ameliorate the constraint will provide farmers with the confidence to trial these practices in their own environments.
Results and Reports
Dalwallinu Site Activities - spreading ameliorants
