Publication Date
1997
Description
A field experiment was used to determine nitrate leaching losses under perennial (Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glomerata) and annual (Lolium rigidum) grass pastures under control and high N treatments. Previously published results and assumptions were made to extrapolate results to typical grazed pastures, and best bet practices to manage soil acidification were suggested. Nitrate leaching losses of approximately 14 and 28 kg N/ha/year were estimated for grazed perennial and annual pastures (equating to soil acid addition of 1 and 2 kmol H+/ha/year). Other sources of acid addition known to occur in this environment accounted for a further 1 kmol H+/ha/year (1 kmol H+ equating to 50 kg lime required to balance acid addition). Best bet management practices to reduce soil acidification include deciding how far the soil should acidify, using lime to balance alkalinity lost through agricultural production, sowing perennial grasses, altering grazing management and using acid tolerant species to maintain production in the short term.
Citation
Ridley, A M.; White, R E.; and Simpson, R J., "Management of Acidifying Legume Based Pastures for Sustainable Production in Southern Australia" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session16/1
Included in
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Management of Acidifying Legume Based Pastures for Sustainable Production in Southern Australia
A field experiment was used to determine nitrate leaching losses under perennial (Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glomerata) and annual (Lolium rigidum) grass pastures under control and high N treatments. Previously published results and assumptions were made to extrapolate results to typical grazed pastures, and best bet practices to manage soil acidification were suggested. Nitrate leaching losses of approximately 14 and 28 kg N/ha/year were estimated for grazed perennial and annual pastures (equating to soil acid addition of 1 and 2 kmol H+/ha/year). Other sources of acid addition known to occur in this environment accounted for a further 1 kmol H+/ha/year (1 kmol H+ equating to 50 kg lime required to balance acid addition). Best bet management practices to reduce soil acidification include deciding how far the soil should acidify, using lime to balance alkalinity lost through agricultural production, sowing perennial grasses, altering grazing management and using acid tolerant species to maintain production in the short term.
