Extent of soil acidity in no-tillage systems in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorLiebenberg, Adriaan Louwrensen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVan Der Nest, John Richard (Ruan)en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHardie, Ailsa G.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorLabuschagne, Johanen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorSwanepoel, Pieter Andreasen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2020-11-23T13:00:24Z
dc.date.available2020-11-23T13:00:24Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionCITATION: Liebenberg, A., et al. 2020. Extent of soil acidity in no-tillage systems in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Land, 9(10):361, doi:10.3390/land9100361.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com
dc.descriptionPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
dc.description.abstractRoughly 90% of farmers in the Western Cape Province of South Africa have converted to no-tillage systems to improve the efficiency of crop production. Implementation of no-tillage restricts the mixing of soil amendments, such as limestone, into soil. Stratification of nutrients and pH is expected. A soil survey was conducted to determine the extent and geographical spread of acid soils and pH stratification throughout the Western Cape. Soil samples (n = 653) were taken at three depths (0–5, 5–15, 15–30 cm) from no-tillage fields. Differential responses (p ≤ 0.05) between the two regions (Swartland and southern Cape), as well as soil depth, and annual rainfall influenced (p ≤ 0.05) exchangeable acidity, Ca and Mg, pH(KCl), and acid saturation. A large portion (19.3%) of soils (specifically in the Swartland region) had at least one depth increment with pH(KCl) ≤ 5.0, which is suboptimal for wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), and canola (Brassica napus). Acid saturation in the 5–15 cm depth increment in the Swartland was above the 8% threshold for production of most crops. Acid soils are a significant threat to crop production in the region and needs tactical agronomic intervention (e.g. strategic tillage) to ensure sustainability.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/10/361
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent17 pages : illustrationsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationLiebenberg, A., et al. 2020. Extent of soil acidity in no-tillage systems in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Land, 9(10):361, doi:10.3390/land9100361
dc.identifier.issn2073-445X (online)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.3390/land9100361
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/108948
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectEnvironmental sciencesen_ZA
dc.subjectNo-tillage systems -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectAcid soils -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectSoil acidity -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectCrops -- Effects of soil activity on -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectPlants -- Effects of soil activity on -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.titleExtent of soil acidity in no-tillage systems in the Western Cape Province of South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
liebenberg_extent_2020.pdf
Size:
706.44 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download article
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Research Articles (Agronomy)