The causes of soil acidity
Summary
This publication explains the effect of agricultural activities on the rate of soil acidification. It describes the four main causes of acidification which are:
- removal of product from the farm or paddock
- leaching of nitrogen below the plant root zone
- inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilisers
- build up in organic matter
The effects of the following three agricultural production systems on soil acidification rate are also described:
- cropping
- grazing
- horticulture
