Effects of water use on chemical characteristics of cranberry soils

Abstract

The long‐term effects of using alkaline water on the chemical properties of sand soils were simulated by treating 36 cm tall, 5 cm diameter columns of soil with water amounts equivalent to that typically applied to cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) during one year (152 cm, 3 liters), two years (304 cm, 6 liters), or three years (456 cm, 9 liters). Columns received either alkaline pond water [148 mg L‐1 calcium carbonate (CaCO3) equivalent, pH 8.0], pond water acidified with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to pH 5.0, or no water. Water was applied to the top of the soil in 15.2 cm increments and allowed to percolate slowly through and out the bottom of the column. The same treatments were applied to an acidic soil (pH 5.6) and a neutral soil (pH 7.1). The equivalent of three years of alkaline water use raised the pH of the acidic soil to 7.5, and that of the neutral soil to pH 7.8. Acidified water did not change the pH of the acidic soil, but decreased that of the neutral soil to 6.2. Use of alkaline water increased calcium (Ca) levels from 250 mg kg‐1 to738 mg kg‐1 in the acidic soil. Soil Ca levels were not affected by acidified water in either soil. Treatments had inconsistent effects on potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) levels in the soils. Based on these results, high alkalinity water that has been acidified prior to use would not adversely affect the pH or Ca levels in cranberry soils over a three‐year period.