Reacidification of Two Lime Amended Soils in Western Oregon

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AbstractLeaching of basic cations by winter rainfall and irrigation water and the increasing use of NH+4‐fertilizers have resulted in wide‐spread soil acidity in western Oregon. While applications of liming materials are often made in this region, the rates at which limed soils reacidify are generally not known. The objectives of this study were to: (i) quantify long‐term acidification rates of two lime‐amended soils in western Oregon, and (ii) identify soil‐plant processes which may control acidification rates. Lime applications ranging from 0 to 14 650 kg ha−1 were made on a Nekia sicl (Xeric Haplohumults, initial pH 5.0) and from 0 to 11 200 kg ha−1 on a Woodburn sil (Aquultic Argixerolls, pH 5.3) in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon in 1971 to 72. Monitoring of soil pH and levels of extractable basic cations applied in the liming materials for 11 to 12 yr permitted estimation of the rate of acidification of soils receiving different amounts of lime. Whether estimated by declines in pH or extractable basic cations, soil acidification rates increased with increasing quantities of lime initially applied. Acidification rates of unlimed Nekia soil were 0.025 pH units yr−1 and 0.17 cmol(+) Ca2+ + Mg2+ kg−1yr−1 while the unlimed Woodburn soil showed no net acidification. Maximum rates of acidification of 0.09 pH units yr−1 and 0.62 cmol(+) extractable Ca2+ + Mg2+ kg−1yr−1 on the Nekia soil and 0.08 pH units yr−1 and 0.36 cmol(+) extractable Ca2+ kg−1yr−1 on the Woodburn soil were measured on plots receiving the highest amounts of lime. Faster reacidification of soils amended with higher lime rates is explained by the pH dependence of acidifying processes such as nitrification, CO2 release via plant and microbial respiration, mineralization of organic matter and dissociation of organic acids in soil solution. Ca2+ release from mineral weathering appeared to have an important effect on soil pH and extractable Ca2+, particularly in the absence of large inputs of acidifying materials such as NH+4‐fertilizers. Accurate prediction of soil acidfication rates will require additional information concerning the pH dependence of soil acidifying processes, the quantity and composition of seasonal through drainage, and the rates of mineral weathering in soils.