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.