About the Event

Soil acidity impacts on nutrient-use efficiency and therefore agricultural productivity through two main mechanisms. In the topsoil (0–10 cm) low soil pH (high acidity) decreases the availability of key nutrients. In the subsurface layer (below 10 cm) toxic levels of aluminium at low soil pH reduce crop root growth and access to moisture and nutrients. Better nutrient-use efficiency in the topsoil reduces runoff and potential contamination of waterways. Improved crop root growth in the subsoil increases the available area of crop roots to access water and nutrients.

Applying agricultural lime is an effective method of managing soil acidity, to increase the soil pH. Current lime use in WA agriculture is at 60 per cent of the estimated annual requirement to address current and ongoing soil acidification.

This project works with growers to investigate soil pH levels at both topsoil and subsoil levels across their farm providing more precise and long-term lime recommendations, as well as gaining valuable insight into the current state of soil acidity in the Avon River Basin.

About the Speaker

Alice Butler studied Environmental Science at UWA, graduating in 2013. She began her career at SEPWA, a grower group based in Esperance, working on a precision agriculture project. She then moved to Albany for two years to work with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) on a graduate agronomy program. This provided her with a good grounding in agronomy, specifically weeds, pests and diseases that affected growers within the Albany Port Zone.

Alice now works part time for DPIRD in the Soil Science and Crop Nutrition portfolio as a Research Scientist Information Delivery and part time for Farmanco as a Precision Ag consultant.

Agenda

3.30 – 4.15 pm : Seminar

4.15 -4.30 pm: Q & A