Managing Soil Acidity in Wheat Production in North Central Oregon

Commodities

• Agronomic: wheat

Practices

• Crop Production: no-till
• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Soil Management: soil chemistry

Soil acidification from the continued use of nitrogen fertilizers
is becoming an increasing issue for dryland wheat producers,
especially where no-till farming practices are used that
concentrate soil acidity in the root zone. Farmers in North
Central Oregon face challenging conditions to manage soil
acidification with limited annual precipitation (less than 12
inches) and steep terrain where no-till farming practices are
needed to control soil erosion. Farmers need more localized data
to better inform them of the cost effectiveness of different
liming products and rates, along with increased education on
proper soil sampling and soil testing to detect areas of soil
acidification. Previous research has focused on the use of dry
lime products, but these are slow to activate without adequate
precipitation and require tillage to incorporate into the soil.
However, there are improved liquid lime formulations that might
be effective without requiring as much rain or tillage as
traditional lime. On farm research trials will examine the impact
of multiple rates of sugar beet lime, liquid calcium carbonate,
and liquid calcium carbonate concentrate with microbes on soil
pH, aluminum, soil nutrients, and wheat yield. Field days,
workshops, webinars, videos,  newsletters, extension
publications, a journal article, and factsheets will share these
results, along with soil acidification management and soil
sampling techniques. Over 100 producers will learn how to detect
soil acidity and will be able to make improved soil acidification
management decisions, potentially improving wheat yields on a
third of the cropland in the region (55,000 acres). 

1. Examine the efficacy and cost effectiveness of surface
   applying multiple rates of three different liming materials
   (sugar beet lime, liquid lime, liquid calcium concentrate with
   microbes) on increasing soil pH, reducing soil aluminum,
   improving soil nutrient availability, and increasing winter wheat
   yield.
2. Research results, return on investment, and proper soil
   sampling and soil testing practices to detect soil acidification
   in fields farmed with no-till farming practices will be shared
   with producers so they can make informed decisions to manage soil
   acidification. Information will be shared to producers through
   workshops, field days, fact sheets, videos, extension
   publications, and a journal article.