Soil Management Guide.pdf

Soil health is impacted by nutrient levels, acidity, and erosion, with acidic soils restricting plant nutrient availability, leading to reduced growth, increased weed growth, and erosion. Correcting soil nutrient levels with fertiliser is important, but overuse can pollute watercourses. Testing soils for nutrient and acidity levels is crucial, with laboratory tests and leaf tissue tests providing valuable information. Soil acidity is characterized by a pH scale, with acidic soils having a pH below 7.0, and strongly acidic soils below 5.5, which can severely reduce plant growth. Causes of soil acidity include intensive legume-based pasture production, removal of nutrients, and addition of nitrogen fertilisers. Correcting soil acidity involves adding lime, with the amount depending on soil texture, initial pH, and target pH. Alkaline soils can also be problematic, with phosphorus becoming tied up and unavailable to plants. Different land uses have target pH ranges, and farming systems contribute to soil acidification at varying rates. Monitoring nutrient levels, including phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and others, is essential to maintain soil health and prevent production decline and animal health issues.