Soil acidity

Constraint - Soil acidity

Symptoms

• Reduced root growth 
• Yellowing of leaves 
• Stunting of plant

Damage

• Reduced yield due to limited water and nutrient uptake

Control

The maintenance of soil pH to at least 5.0 is desirable, with 5.5 the optimum to ensure that the most nutrients and trace elements are available for plant uptake. Bread wheat is more tolerant than durum wheat. Application of the nutrients limited by acidic soils, tailored to the wheats requirements to avoid wastage, may be a effective short term solution.

Links and Resources

DEPI VIC - Soil acidity effects on wheat Acidity monitoring tools, knowledge needed to monitor soil acidity, acid soil management, lime application, maintenance lime application rate, and breaches of the water act. Page last updated 2014.

DPI NSW - Soil acidity effects on wheat Introduction on soil acidity, management strategies for the southern tablelands of NSW, and effects of soil acidity on pasture and crops. Published 2002.