Soil project tackles billion-dollar problem

Senior lecturer in Soil Science with the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Dr Jason Condon, is part of a team of researchers working on multiple soil projects that will provide lasting benefits to food production and sustainability.

Soil acidity affects 24 million hectares in south-eastern Australia and is responsible for annual production losses of $1.6 billion nationally. The projects involve annual sampling of field sites in paddocks across southern NSW to track changes in soils based on their treatment with lime and the rate, frequency, and method of application. Dr Condon said healthier plants suffer fewer incidents of disease and insect attacks, and the benefits of the project include soil improvement and increased production.