Liming acidic soils creates profits, land use options but often more emissions

Authors

Sud Kharel, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Christophe d'Abbadie, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Amir Abadi Ghadim, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Chris Gazey, Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentFollow
Ross Kingwell, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-15-2024

Journal Title

Crop and Pasture Science

ISSN

Print: 1836-0947 Electronic: 1836-5795

Keywords

biological diversity, crop sequences, dryland cropping, greenhouse gas emissions, lime, net margins, soil acidity, soil amelioration

Disciplines

Climate | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Soil Science

Abstract

Context

Soil acidity constrains crop production in Australia. The practice of liming can reduce soil acidity but produces greenhouse gas emissions.

Aims

By examining land use sequences over three decades at a range of locations in Western Australia, this study aims to identify firstly where and when liming might boost farm profits and secondly, what emissions and land use management flexibilities are generated by liming.

Methods

Bioeconomic simulation modelling is used to identify the gross margins and emissions associated with liming in land use sequences at 14 locations in Western Australia. Three intensities of cropping and three different rotational sequences are considered. The simulations account for price and weather–year variations across a 30-year period of analysis.

Key results

Liming is profitable at almost all locations and across all rotation sequences examined. Where problematic soil acidity is a feature or is poised to soon become a problem at a location, liming is a profitable ameliorative practice that enables greater diversity in land use. For most situations assessed, liming increases emissions. The exceptions are at locations where liming prevents a switch away from a crop-dominant system, due to soil acidity reducing crop yields, into additional sheep production that increases emissions.

Conclusions

Liming is profitable in most acidic soil situations and preserves land use flexibility, although additional greenhouse gas emissions are often generated.

Implications

Liming acidic soils bolsters land use profitability and helps sustain biologically diverse land use sequences, despite often increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

Recommended Citation

Kharel S et al. (2024) Liming acidic soils creates profits, land use options but often more emissions. Crop & Pasture Science 75, CP24227. doi:10.1071/CP24227