Cause–Effect Modelling of Soil Liming in Poland

Paweł Zadrożny, Paweł Nicia, Tomasz Wojewodzic, Mariusz Dacko, Łukasz Paluch, Aleksandra Płonka, Jarosław Janus, Jacek Pijanowski, Romualda Bejger (), Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga, Bożena Smreczak and Piotr Parzych
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Paweł Zadrożny: Department of Soil Science and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Paweł Nicia: Department of Soil Science and Agrophysics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Tomasz Wojewodzic: Department of Economics and Food Economy, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Mariusz Dacko: Department of Economics and Food Economy, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Łukasz Paluch: Department of Economics and Food Economy, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Aleksandra Płonka: Department of Economics and Food Economy, University of Agriculture in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland
Jarosław Janus: Department of Agricultural Land Surveying, Cadastre and Photogrammetry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 253a, 30-180 Krakow, Poland
Jacek Pijanowski: Department of Agricultural Land Surveying, Cadastre and Photogrammetry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, ul. Balicka 253a, 30-180 Krakow, Poland
Romualda Bejger: Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieża Pawła VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Aleksandra Ukalska-Jaruga: Department of Soil Science Erosion and Land Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
Bożena Smreczak: Department of Soil Science Erosion and Land Protection, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation—State Research Institute, ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
Piotr Parzych: Department of Photogrammetry, Environmental Remote Sensing and Spatial Engineering, University of Science and Technology in Krakow, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: This research aimed to use the cause-and-effect diagram (model) as a method to describe the 15 main factors (for example, awareness, knowledge and motivation of farmers, farmers income, institutional and financial support, condition of the natural environment, healthiness of the population, etc.) leading to soil acidification, their impact on soil health and ecosystem functions, and how soil liming serves as a remedial measure. The cause-and-effect model was developed based on questionnaire studies as a part of the project ‘Opportunities and Barriers to the Use of Soil Liming for Improving the Economic Efficiency of Agricultural Production and Reducing Eutrophication of Surface Waters’ in 2022–2023. The results showed that the effects of soil acidification and liming as well as their interrelationships are multifaceted and affect agricultural production economics, agricultural land and crop prices, environmental health and biodiversity, as well as soil productivity and food security. The causes of this situation can be attributed to social, technological–logistical–technical, and economic factors. To change the existing situation, it is necessary to take effective steps to motivate farmers to lime their soils. The most effective would be (1) offering training courses for farmers to discuss the benefits that a farmer can achieve by maintaining optimum soil pH levels while growing a specific crop species; (2) implementing liming payment programs that will be more attractive and motivating from the farmers’ perspective; and (3) linking agri-environmental payments to the necessity of systematic testing of soil pH levels and maintaining optimal pH levels under specific crops species.

Keywords: soil pH; soil liming; soil health; sustainable development; cause-and-effect diagram; economic efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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