* This and other management option tables are based on Davies et al., 2012, p. 1. The cost of agricultural lime ranges between $7/t and $30/t at the pit, depending on source and location. † (continued) 1: On-farm management options for soil acidity (continued) Management Approximate cost Longevity Mechanism Suitable locations Likelihood of Associated benefits/ option and success/reliability drawbacks Direct injection Lime† + cost of direct Long-term benefits Lime is injected into the All locations Can be a difficult technique Allows for deeper placement of lime with injection (no commercial subsurface soil in providing to master minimal soil disturbance compared to machinery exists for ameliorated pathways for roots to spading or soil inversion techniques Incorrect placement retains adequate cost comparison) grow through the acid layer. the cost of a highly acidic Difficult to apply technique accurately (slow subsurface soil layer as operation and not commercially available lime may end up in a clump at the base of the ripping tine with a layer of acid subsoil on top Precision Lime† + ~$135 000 for Long-term benefits Allows for targeted application of All locations High Reduced soil compaction application autosteer + application lime. Targeted application Can be used in a more general way to method Variable application can be increases returns achieve variable application over several achieved without autosteer by years without the expense of guidance identifying large management equipment zones (often soil types) and applying rates accordingly or adding more lime to the areas that need more a few years after the initial application. Perennial pastures Cost of establishing the Long-term benefits Reduces N leaching and Typically high rainfall Moderate but restricted Does not increase soil pH (esp. grasses) grazing system therefore potentially reduces the coastal trial application Reduced risk of wind and water erosion acidification rate Choosing tolerant Potential cost of new seed Annual. Acidity remains Acid-tolerant crops and varieties All locations Moderate when used as an Soil acidity remains untreated and the crop and pasture unaddressed are used approach to maintain problem will continue to worsen species productivity and income Reduces flexibility of land use. Only stream to supplement species can be until they too fail treatment of acidic soil with and soil is degraded beyond economically lime (not a solution on its viable recovery own) * This and other management option tables are based on Davies et al., 2012, p. 1. The cost of agricultural lime ranges between $7/t and $30/t at the pit, depending on source and location. †
* This and other management option tables are based on Davies et al., 2012, p. 1. † The cost of agricultural lime ranges between $7/t and $30/t at the pit, depending on source and location. (continued) 1: On-farm management options for soil acidity (continued) Management option Approximate cost Longevity Mechanism Suitable locations and Likelihood of success/reliability Associated benefits/ drawbacks Direct injection Lime† + cost of direct injection (no commercial machinery exists for adequate cost comparison) Long-term benefits Lime is injected into the subsurface soil in providing ameliorated pathways for roots to grow through the acid layer. All locations Can be a difficult technique to master Incorrect placement retains the cost of a highly acidic subsurface soil layer as lime may end up in a clump at the base of the ripping tine with a layer of acid subsoil on top Allows for deeper placement of lime with minimal soil disturbance compared to spading or soil inversion techniques Difficult to apply technique accurately (slow operation and not commercially available Precision application Lime† + ~$135 000 for autosteer + application method Long-term benefits Allows for targeted application of lime. Variable application can be achieved without autosteer by identifying large management zones (often soil types) and applying rates accordingly or adding more lime to the areas that need more a few years after the initial application. All locations High Targeted application increases returns Reduced soil compaction Can be used in a more general way to achieve variable application over several years without the expense of guidance equipment Perennial pastures (esp. grasses) Cost of establishing the grazing system Long-term benefits Reduces N leaching and therefore potentially reduces the acidification rate Typically high rainfall coastal Moderate but restricted application Does not increase soil pH Reduced risk of wind and water erosion Choosing tolerant crop and pasture species Potential cost of new seed Annual. Acidity remains unaddressed Acid-tolerant crops and varieties are used All locations Moderate when used as an approach to maintain productivity and income stream to supplement treatment of acidic soil with lime (not a solution on its own) Soil acidity remains untreated and the problem will continue to worsen Reduces flexibility of land use. Only species can be until they too fail and soil is degraded beyond economically viable recovery * This and other management option tables are based on Davies et al., 2012, p. 1. † The cost of agricultural lime ranges between $7/t and $30/t at the pit, depending on source and location. trial