Variability in characteristics of some acidic pasture soils in South Australia and implications for lime application

Abstract

The variability of soil pH (0.01 M CaCI2), aluminium and manganese (extractable in 0.01 M CaCl2), total carbon and some soil morphological factors have been investigated in the surface and subsoil at seven pasture sites in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The coefficients of variation of the factors measured were found to be of a similar order, except for soil pH which, being a logarithmic transformation, is much lower. Relationships between pH and soil aluminium, manganese and carbon are used to predict the effects of further acidification, especially with respect to the development of increased extractable aluminium, and to assess the likelihood of problems in selecting appropriate rates of lime application.