Scientists from the British Geological Survey and NRM Laboratories have found a novel way of using soil data to assess soil fertility.

Maps show that the pattern of more acidic soils, which can reduce soil fertility, increasingly reflect geology and typical rainfall patterns across England and Wales.

In recent years, less agricultural lime has been added to farmers' fields to neutralise soil acidity.

This new approach uses soil measurements paid for by farmers at a value of £42m, to monitor how key soil properties change at the national scale, but can also highlight regional issues.

By using soil measurements and locations from many thousands of farms, scientists can create maps and assess overall changes in properties that influence soil fertility and crop yield.

This new approach complements the large-scale surveys paid for by the government to help them understand how much important soil properties are changing.

The study was published in the European Journal of Soil Science focussed on soil data between 2004 and 2015 for five important soil properties or indicators including soil pH and available phosphorus.

Dr Barry Rawlins, who led the research, said: "Because less agricultural lime has been applied to agricultural soils over recent years, we increasingly see natural factors influencing the patterns of soil acidity across England and Wales.

"Agricultural soils further to the north and west generally have a smaller capacity to neutralise soil acidity because of the underlying geology, and the greater quantities of rainfall in these areas reduce that capacity further.

"This is less of a problem in the south and east.

"Farmers’ need to be aware of these differences because acidic soil is less productive, and they need to apply more agricultural lime to their fields.”

How do you think soil fertility affects your business? Let us know on our Facebook page, don't forget to give us a like!

For more information on the British Geological Survey visit their website at BGS.ac.uk