Lime Rates Research Articles

Improving Sunflower Yield through Liming and Phosphorus Fertilizer Application in the South-Central Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Along with salinity, low soil pH is the major constraint for growing winter crops in the south central coastal region of Bangladesh. Extensive research has been done to manage soil salinity, where managing low soil pH for crop production is scarce. The aim of the experiment was to improve sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Hybrid Unisun) yield through liming and phosphorus fertilizer application in the acidic saline soil of Amtali upazila of Barguna district, Bangladesh. During the winter season of 2024 a field experiment was carried out comprising two rates of lime 0 and 2 t ha-1 and four levels of phosphorus (P) having 0, 12, 24 and 36 kg P ha-1 using RCBD design. Lime application at 2 t ha-1 rate significantly increased stem girth, head diameter, number of seeds per head, 1000-seed weight, and seed, stover and root yields of sunflower. The application of P up to the highest level (36 kg P ha-1) significantly increased the growth and yield of sunflower. Lime application increased the soil pH by 0.72 unit compared to non-liming plot. The application of lime (2 t ha-1) along with 36 kg P ha-1 recorded the highest sunflower seed yield of 3.21 t ha-1 in the soil of Amtali upazila of Barguna district, Bangladesh. The benefit cost ratio (BCR) of different rates of P application without liming ranged from 5.28-10.09 but it decreased drastically while P was applied with lime having the BCR between 0.15-1.82. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 22(3):352-359, 2024

The Effects of Soil Acidity and Aluminium on the Root Systems and Shoot Growth of Lotus pedunculatus and Lupinus polyphyllus.

Lotus pedunculatus (lotus) and Lupinus polyphyllus (Russell lupin) persist in the upland grasslands of New Zealand, where soil acidity and associated aluminium (Al) toxicity impede conventional pasture legumes. This experiment investigated the response of lotus and Russell lupin to soil acidity and Al. The species were sown in 20 cm tall 1.2 L pots of acidic upland soil. A mass of 4.5 or 6.7 g lime (CaCO3)/L was added to either the top or bottom or both soil horizons (0-9 cm and 9-18 cm), resulting in six treatments across six randomised blocks in a glasshouse. The soil pH was 4.4, 4.9, and 5.4; the exchangeable Al concentrations were 24, 2.5, and 1.5 mg/kg for 0, 4.5, and 6.7 g lime/L. At 16 weeks post-sowing, the plants were divided into shoots and roots at 0-9 cm and 9-18 cm. Root morphology, shoot and root dry matter (DM), shoot nitrogen (N), and nodulation were measured. The total plant DM and shoot-to-root DM ratio were higher, and the shoot %N was lower for the lotus plants than the Russell lupin plants for the various lime rates (13.2 vs. 2.9 g plant-1, 5.6 vs. 1.6, and 2.4 vs. 3.3%, p < 0.05). No response to lime in terms of total DM or total root morphology parameters was exhibited in either species (p > 0.05). Root morphology adjustments in response to acidity between soil horizons were not observed. The results indicated that lotus and Russell lupin are tolerant to high soil acidity (pH 4.4-5.4) and exchangeable Al (1.5-24 mg kg-1), highlighting their considerable adaptation to grasslands with acidic soils.

Wheat growth, yield, nutrient concentration and soil chemical properties influenced by liming in an acid soil

Soil acidity has negative effects on both plants and soil. Furthermore, liming is the most common and effective management practice used to neutralize the acid produced in the soil and the problems associated with soil acidification. The study evaluated whether liming impacts wheat growth, yield, nutritional status basis exchangeable, and their related soil acidity indices. A greenhouse experiment was performed under a completely randomized arrangement, with four lime application rates equivalent to (0, 4.0, 8.0, and 12.0 Mg ha−1). The results showed that all yield components significantly increased with increasing lime addition rate. The grain yield, shoot and root dry weight, and plant and spike height improved quadratically (R 2 = 0.909, 0.950, 0.976, 0.902, and 0.891, respectively). Additionally, the lime rate influenced P and Mg concentrations in the shoot, and the concentrations of Cu and Zn. With increasing lime rate, the soil exchangeable Ca and Mg concentrations increased quadratically (R 2 = 0.969 and 0.984), while the soil exchangeable K and Al concentrations decreased significantly. The pH of the soil solution increased linearly (R 2 = 0.994) with the lime addition rate. Liming significantly reduced the exchangeable Al3+ and Al + H in the soil. Finally, liming improves wheat yield in acid soil by reducing the negative effects of Al and H by increasing soil pH, Ca2+, and Mg2+ concentration, consequently improving root growth and resulting in wheat yield. Liming increased the grain yield by 188.7, 198.2, and 322.8% following the increase of lime rate, if compared to the control. Furthermore, lime enhances plant resilience by raising pH and improving soil nutrient availability and the root system.

Lime and Gypsum Rates Effects in New Soybean Areas in the Cerrado of Matopiba, Brazil

High rates of limestone have been increasingly utilized in newly converted areas for grain production in agricultural frontier regions to expedite the short-term correction of soil fertility, leading to compensatory yields. However, there is a lack of information about different doses of lime and gypsum for soils in the Cerrado of Matopiba, especially in the state of Piauí, Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of doses of lime and gypsum in newly converted areas for soybean production in the Cerrado of Southwest Piauí. The study was carried out in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 crop years, on yellow Oxisol soil, in a randomized block design and treatments following a 5 × 4 factorial: five lime rates (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1) and four gypsum rates (0, 1, 2 and 4 t ha−1), with four replicates. The standard lime and gypsum rates were 5 t ha−1 and 1 t ha−1, respectively. Soil fertility attributes (0.0–0.2, 0.2–0.4, and 0.4–0.6 m), nutritional status of plants, and soybean yield were measured. The increases in grain yield using a lime rate of 10 t ha−1 were 18% and 12% in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 crop years, respectively. High lime rates provide a reduction in the concentrations of P, K, and cationic micronutrients in soil, thereby reducing leaf contents of macro- and micronutrients in soybean plants. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, and S in subsurface layers were raised to proper levels, similar to those recommended for topsoil (0.0–0.2 m). The use of gypsum and lime in newly converted areas for soybean cultivation provides quick improvement in soil chemical conditions and reduction in acidity components. The application of 10 t ha−1 of lime improved the soil chemical environment in the Matopiba region the short time available for chemical reactions to occur, allowing soybean cultivation in newly converted areas of Cerrado into agriculture.

Liming improves wheat nutrient use efficiency, yield, and quality on acid soils in Ethiopia

Soil acidity is a major constraint for food production in the Highlands of Ethiopia, the main cereal growing area. We conducted two field trials in nutrient-poor, acidic fields in the Highlands of Ethiopia to evaluate the effects of dolomitic lime at rates of 0, 6 and 12 t ha−1 on the utilization of commonly used phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Blended fertilizer (at a liming rate of 12 t ha−1), containing potassium (K), sulfur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) were also evaluated. The liming rate of 12 t ha−1 improved the utilization of P fertilizer most and only 20 kg P ha−1 was needed to reach 90% of the maximum wheat yield in soils with a high P sorption capacity. Liming and P fertilization, increased the N use efficiency from 0 to 30%, whereas the P use efficiency increased from 3 to 25%. Liming also increased the concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), molybdenum (Mo) and Zn and retained the concentration of copper (Cu) in wheat grain at a higher level than in unlimed treatments. This indicates that even high liming rates did not depress the utilization of nutrients from fertilizers, lime or soil. Regarding harmful heavy metals, liming reduced the nickel (Ni) concentration in wheat to about half of that in unlimed treatments. This study demonstrated how liming was a prerequisite for improving the quantity and quality of wheat growing in the acidic soils of the Ethiopian Highlands.

Kinetics of soil re-acidification under no-tillage system

The rate and amount of Al3+ released from re-solubilization of the Al-containing polymers and minerals due to the increase in proton activity in the soil solution in subtropical regions is scarce in the literature. The objective of the present study was to track the Al3+ reappearance following its neutralization during the switch from a conventional tillage system to a no-till (NT) system. For this purpose, we evaluated a long-term lime experiment under NT on a subtropical Ultisol. The treatments included varying lime rates, with different historic of lime reapplication. Soil samples were taken at the 0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 cm depth in 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2012, and 2022. The re-solubilization of Al-containing soil polymers and minerals in the 0–15 cm soil layer proceeds slowly in the first 10 years; afterwards, the rate and amount of Al3+ released increased. However, regardless of the lime treatment, the soil never returns its natural acidic state, even after 34 years of the first liming operation. A decrease in the intensity of reappearance of exchangeable Al3+ in the soil profile is clearly observed, compared to the treatment without reapplication of surface lime. We have observed that it takes 7–9 years for 10% of the effective cation exchange capacity to be occupied by Al3+ if limestone is not reapplied on the soil surface; if underdoses are reapplied this level can be maintained for 13–15 years. Furthermore, if larger and more frequent lime doses are used, a low Al3+ saturation (<10%) can be maintained permanently. These findings emphasize the importance of an appropriate liming process at the start of NT, followed with surface limestone reapplication, to ensure a very low Al3+ saturation over a long period of time in the 0–15 cm soil layer.

Nutrient accumulations and efficiencies for maximum blackberry fruit production

Blackberry is grown in a wide range of soil pH, and it is known that the adequacy of soil pH is essential for plants to express their maximum nutritional efficiencies and, consequently, reach their maximum productive potential. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the nutritional accumulations and efficiencies for maximum fruit production. The experiment under greenhouse conditions was carried out in a randomized block design followed by a 4 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme with three repetitions. The evaluated factors were four blackberry cultivars (Tupy, Brazos, Guarani, and Xavante) grown in two types of acidic soils (Typical Hapludox [TH] and Rhodic Hapludox [RH]) to which four rates of dolomitic limestone (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 Mg ha−1) were applied. Fruit production and nutrient accumulation in the fruits, leaves, stems, and roots of the plants were evaluated, as well as the nutritional efficiency of each cultivar. The blackberry cultivar Tupy has been the most productive, independent of the liming rate. Blackberry cultivars have shown differences in nutrient accumulation and efficiencies for maximum fruit production, and they also have distinct nutritional requirements.

Manganese and phosphorus maize shoot concentrations are differently affected by nitrification inhibitor‐driven rhizosphere acidification

AbstractHigh soil pH can lead to Mn2+ and P deficiency and yield losses. In addition, it is unclear which process, nitrification‐induced acidification of bulk soil or nitrification inhibitor‐driven rhizosphere acidification, is more effective in increasing Mn2+ availability and shoot concentration. Thus, this topic was investigated in this study. Moreover, we also evaluated if applying NIs can avoid P deficiency in soil with high pH and high buffering capacity. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the impact of applying 3,4‐Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in sandy soil subjected to the application of different lime rates, simulating several soil pH and buffering capacity conditions. The utilized lime rates were 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 g CaCO3 kg−1. The measured variables were bulk and rhizosphere soil pH, Mn2+ and P availability, maize biomass production, as well as Mn and P shoot concentrations. DMPP significantly reduced shoot biomass by 10% in unlimed soil; however, it promoted the overall shoot biomass by 30% in limed soil in both experiments. In addition, DMPP decreased the overall Mn shoot concentration by 24 and 21% in experiments I and II, respectively. In contrast, DMPP increased the overall P shoot concentration due to rhizosphere acidification by 24 and 17% in experiments I and II, respectively. The DMPP application did not avoid P deficiency under the highest lime rate (4 g CaCO3 kg−1) despite alleviating it. In conclusion, the application of NIs is not beneficial for increasing Mn2+ shoot concentration and, when performed to increase P availability in high pH soils, should consider the likelihood of causing Mn deficiency.

Do soil enzyme activities explain stimulated carbon mineralization following liming?

Losses of soil organic carbon (C) following liming have been proposed to result from stimulated C mineralization, which could occur through a variety of mechanisms including soil enzymes. Given the pH-sensitivity of enzyme activities, liming could impact catalysis of C mineralization by extracellular enzymes independently of microbial response. To this end, we evaluated the responses of C mineralization as CO2 flux, permanganate-oxidizable C (POXC), and the activities of C-hydrolytic enzymes to liming of a Haplic Ferralsol (Typic Kandiudox) in western Kenya under three differing 11-year soil fertility managements: unfertilized (UNF), mineral fertilized (MIN), and organic fertilized (ORG). Five rates of Ca(OH)2 (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 t ha−1) and an unlimed control were used to establish a pH gradient of 4.6–6.4. Soil C mineralization rates assessed as CO2 production peaked within 5 d for high liming rates, and converged to a similar rate as unlimed soils after 21 d. At 28 d, activities of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase decreased with increasing pH, increased for β-glucosaminidase, and were unaffected for β-galactosidase. POXC generally increased with liming rate for fertilized soils, more so in ORG and less in MIN soils, with relative increases of 18%, 5%, and 1% for ORG, MIN and UNF soils, respectively, at 7.5 relative to 0 t ha−1 liming. This study identifies potentially rapid albeit short-lived stimulation of C mineralization following addition of a highly soluble liming agent. Notably, decreases in activities of soil enzymes that catalyze the first and last step of the cellulosic C depolymerization suggests that short-term losses of soil C were not driven by enzyme activities, and may occur in spite of lowered C-hydrolytic enzyme activity. The enhanced C mineralization observed could reflect augmentation of labile C pools via non-enzymatic processes (e.g., desorption) in the short-term.

Effect of fertilizers and liming on soil condition and productivity of sugar beet

Purpose. To investigate the influence of an alternative organo-mineral fertilization system on the productivity of sugar beet at different application rates of lime. Methods. Short-term field and analytical. Results. The results of research on the influence of alternative organo-mineral fertilizers and liming on the alkaline-acidic balance of leached chernozem, its nutritional regime and productivity of sugar beets are presented. The perspective of using traditional and alternative fertilizers combined with lime on weakly acidic soil in conditions of sufficient moisture was revealed. Conclusions. The application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge in sugar beet ensured the maximum stability of the acid-alkaline balance of leached chernozem, increased the amount of absorbed alkalis with an increase in the content of calcium and magnesium in the soil-absorbing complex. Obtained рНsalt was 6.62, hydrolytic acidity 1.69 mg-eq/100 g, amount of absorbed alkalis 28.4 mg-eq/100 g of soil. Application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw and 7.5 t/ha defecation sludge ensured the highest mobility of phosphorus and potassium in leached chernozem: the content of mobile phosphorus in the 0–30 cm layer was 170 mg/kg and potassium 128 mg/kg that provided increase of 32 and 38 mg/kg of soil, respectively, compared to control. Liming increased the mobility of potassium in the soil and did not affect the content of mobile phosphorus. The maximum productivity of sugar beet on leached chernozem was achieved with the application of N90P90K90 + 5 t/ha of straw + 7.5 t/ha of defecation sludge (1.5 standard rate of CaСО3). Obtained root yield was 73.3 t/ha, sugar content 18.6%, and sugar yield 13.6 t/ha that is higher compared to control without fertilizers and defecation sludge by 22.7 t/ha, 0.2%, and 4.3 t/ha, respectively.

Properties of Fluorine-Free Steelmaking Flux Prepared Using Red Mud

The basic oxygen steelmaking process is based on the CaO-FeO-SiO2 ternary slag system, characterized by a high melting point and low lime dissolution rate, often becoming one of the key factors limiting the efficiency of the converter. The bulk solid waste red mud, produced by the Bayer alumina process and rich in Fe2O3/Al2O3/Na2O, significantly reduces the melting point of the steelmaking slag system and enhances the efficiency of lime dissolution. This study utilized red mud as the main raw material to prepare a fluoride-free flux. An in situ online observation system was used to measure the melting point of the flux and the dissolution rate of lime in the flux. The results indicate that the melting point of the red mud-based flux is below 1200 °C, and under the same conditions, the lime dissolution rate is 10 to 15 times higher than when this flux is not used. Experiments in a 10 kg induction furnace show that using this flux, the dephosphorization rate under conditions without oxygen blowing is close to 40%, far higher than the rate achieved using CaF2. Under oxygen-blowing conditions, the dephosphorization rate using the red mud-based flux is comparable to that of CaF2, and significantly higher than without any flux, especially under high [C] content conditions. The data show that the red mud-based flux has the potential to be widely used as a fluoride-free flux in the steelmaking process.

Examining the Effect of Combined Biochar and Lime Rates on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties of Acid Soils in Gimbi District, Western Ethiopia

The physicochemical properties of Western Ethiopian soils were negatively threatened with continuous cultivation crop lands. Soil amendments with biochar and lime facilitate and improve soil physicochemical properties directly and indirectly and enhance crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted in Gimbi District, Western Ethiopia, to examine the effects of combined coffee husk biochar (CHB) and soil test value-based lime (STV) rate application on physicochemical properties of acid soils. The trial included eight treatments, including control, 100% STV, 10 ton of CHB, and CHB + STV rates at 10 ton + 75%, 10 ton + 50%, 7.5 ton + 75%, 7.5 ton + 50%, and 5 ton + 75% ha−1on two farm fields. The fields were laid out in RCBD with three replications. The treatments had substantial effects on P&lt;0.05) on the soil’s physicochemical characteristics. The application of biochar and lime in Farms-1 and 2 reduced soil BD from 1.21 and 1.41 g·cm−3 to 1.15 and 1.12 to 0.90 and 0.97 g·cm−3, respectively. The soil pH level was increased from 5.10 to a range of 5.58 to 6.11 in Farm-1, and in Farm-2, from 4.64 to a range of 4.64 to 6.22 levels. The application of 10 ton of CHB + 75% of STV in Farms-1 and 2 resulted in the highest SOC of 7.44% and 7.68%, respectively. The application of 10 ton of CHB + 75% of STV in Farms-1 and 2 resulted in 4.86 mg·kg−1 and 6.96 mg·kg−1 available P, respectively. Available P was positively correlated with pH (0.62), SOC (0.63), and CEC (0.66). Exchangeable acidity was decreased from 4.64 cmol(+)kg−1 to a range from 3.19 to 0.98 cmol(+)kg−1 in Farm-1 and from 5.00 cmol(+)kg−1 to a range from 3.38 to 1.10 cmol(+)kg−1 in Farm-2. Therefore, amending the strongly acidic to very strongly acidic soil with a combined CHB (7.5 to 10 ton ha−1) and STV (50 to 75% ha−1) rates had improved the soil physicochemical properties of agricultural lands. To make a firm conclusion, research on soil analysis after crop harvest and economic benefit is required.

Evaluation and Validation of Simple and Quick Methods of Lime Rate Determination under Acid Soil-Affected Areas of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Liming acid soils is one of the available intervention options to amend soil acidity and increase crop production and productivity. The selection of a lime requirement determination easy and cheap method that is suitable to the soil conditions in a particular area is a pressing issue. Three lime requirement (LR) estimation methods i.e. (Exchangeable acidity, laboratory pH, and portable pH/Artikilee 3000) methods with one control treatment were tested in acid soils of the dhumuga learning watershed. A field study was conducted to verify the lime requirement (LR) by using portable pH methods and investigate the wheat response to lime. The treatments were laid out in an RCBD design with two farmers’ replications. The result showed that there a was significant (p&lt;0.05) yield response to the liming. The highest grain yield of 5512.3kg ha 1 was obtained from lime treated with the pH method statistically at par with Exchangeable acidity and article 3000 methods. LR rates estimated by the Exchangeable acidity method were lower than those estimated by laboratory pH and portable pH/ Artikilee 3000. However, both methods (laboratory pH and portable pH/ Artikilee 3000) overestimated the lime requirements of the study soil. The exchangeable acidity method was lower than the LR estimated with the article 3000 method by an average of 38 %, which indicates article 3000 methods overestimated the LR for the present study area, while exchangeable acidity methods were found to be reliable estimation LR. Lime rates determined with the three lime testing methods (pH method, Portable pH or Artikilee 3000 and exchangeable acidity) gave yield advantages of 31.94, 24.93 and 20.45%, respectively over the non-limed treatment. From the results of this study, it was concluded that the exchangeable acidity method gives a more reliable estimation of the lime requirements of acid soils of the study area.

Combined lime and biochar application enhances cowpea growth and yield in tropical Alfisol

It is essential to increase the pH of tropical soils in order to reduce acidity and promote soil and crop productivity. Therefore, experiments were carried out in 2020 and 2021 to assess the impacts of biochar and lime on the chemical properties, growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). The study involved various levels of lime (CaCO3) and wood biochar (ranging from 0 to 10 t ha−1), organized in a factorial combination. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The application of lime and biochar, either separately or in combination, led to improvements in soil chemical properties such as pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), as well as enhancements in the growth, nodulation, and yield of cowpea when compared to the control. Lime and biochar alone and combined reduced exchangeable acidity (Al + H) relative to the control. Cowpea yield increased with lime rate up to a point, but then decreases. The highest cowpea yield is achieved at a lime rate of 2.5 t ha−1, whereas cowpea yield increased as the Biochar rate increased from 0 up to 10 t ha−1. There was a significant correlation between pH and cowpea pod weight in both years (2020 and 2021). The R values were − 0.615 and − 0.444 for years 2020 and year 2021 respectively at P < 0.05. At higher lime levels combined with biochar, there were considerable reductions in cowpea yield, and this decrease can be attributed to unfavorable soil pH conditions. Relative to 2.5 t ha−1 lime + 5 t ha−1 biochar, 10 t ha−1 lime + 10 t ha−1 biochar, reduced cowpea grain yield by 853% in 2020 and 845% in 2021. Since there were no significant differences between the effects of 2.5 t ha−1 lime + 5 t ha−1 biochar, 2.5 t ha−1 lime + 7.5 t ha−1 biochar, and 2.5 t ha−1 lime + 10 t ha−1 biochar applications on cowpea yield, therefore to prevent waste of Biochar, 2.5 t ha−1 lime + 5 t ha−1 biochar is recommended for production of cowpea.

Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils

Abstract. Ameliorating soil acidity using a combination of lime and organic amendments (OAs) can be an alternative to lime alone, but determining the appropriate OA rates can be difficult. We developed a new method for calculating the combined application rate of lime and OAs (wheat straw, faba bean straw, blended poultry litter, biochar, and compost) that is based on the titratable alkalinity of OAs and the equilibrium lime buffer capacity (LBCeq) of acidic soils. The effect of calculated soil amendment rates on soil pH was validated at soil water contents of 60 %, 100 %, and 150 % of field capacity (FC). The soil used to develop and validate the method was a sandy loam with a soil pH in deionised water (pHW) of 4.84 and a soil pH in 0.01 M CaCl2 solution (pHCa) of 4.21. The LBCeq of the soil was 1657 mg CaCO3 kg−1 pH−1 (where “CaCO3 kg−1 pH−1” denotes the amount of lime required to raise the pH of 1 kg of soil by one unit). The titratable alkalinity of the OAs ranged from 11.7 cmol Heq+ kg−1 for wheat straw to 357 cmol Heq+ kg−1 for compost. At 60 % FC, faba bean and wheat straw amendment increased the soil pHW to 6.48 and 6.42, respectively, but lower pH values were reached in soil amended with less biodegradable or resistant OAs (ROAs) (i.e. blended poultry litter, biochar, and compost). At 150 % FC, the two straws increased the soil pHW to only 5.93 and 5.75, respectively, possibly due to slower decomposition under submerged conditions, resulting in limited alkalinity production, whereas amendment with ROAs produced pHW values close to 6.5. With an increasing lime-equivalent value (LEV) of the OA, from 5.8 g CaCO3 kg−1 (wheat straw) to 179 g CaCO3 kg−1 (compost), the lime requirement to reach pHW 6.5 in lime–OA combinations decreased from 2.72 to 0.09 g CaCO3 kg−1. The developed method was shown to be effective in determining the appropriate rates of OAs (with or without additional lime) for the management of acidic sandy loam soils in this study and highlights the importance of the soil water content with respect to its acid-neutralising effect.

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties as Affected by Bio-, Organic and Inorganic NPSB Fertilizers and Lime in Assosa Zone, Western Ethiopia

Background: Soil acidity, low soil nutrient status and low nitrogen fixing inoculants as a result of poor soil fertility management practices are the major constraints in soybean production in Assosa Zone, particularly in Assosa and Bambassi districts. Hence, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of bio-, organic and inorganic NPSB fertilizers and lime on soil physico- chemical properties. Methods: During the period 2019-2020 factorial combinations of two bio-fertilizer inoculants [without bio-fertilizer (B1) and SB12 plus MAR1495 bio-fertilizer at their recommended rates of 500 g ha-1 (B2); two organic fertilizers without fresh cattle manure (M1) and fresh cattle manure at 10 t ha-1 (M2); two lime rates without lime (L1) and lime at 5 t ha-1 (L2); two inorganic NPSB fertilizers NPSB at 9.5-23-3.5-0.05 (F1) and NPSB at 19-46-7-0.1 (F2) at their recommended rates for soybean] were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Bulk density, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity were collected and analyzed using SAS software version 9.1.3 and significant mean differences were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Result: Bulk density, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity were highly affected (P less than 0.01) by the interactions of bio-, organic and inorganic fertilizers and lime. Finally, the interaction of SB12+MAR1495, 10t/ha fresh cattie manure, 5t/ha lime and NPSB at 19-46-7-0.1 improved the bulk density, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity at both districts.

Liming application rates and plant population on the performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in humid rainforest

Confectionary groundnut production is limited by soil acidity in southern Nigeria. This study attempted an improvement of soil quality by limiting pH adjustment to tolerable levels. The influence of lime rates and plant spacing on the yield indicators of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria was evaluated to portend the best suitable rates for groundnut production. A 4 × 3 factorial in randomized complete block design, 4 lime rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 t/ha), 3 planting distances (30 × 30, 30 × 50, and 25 × 50 cm) with three replications were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance and Fisher’s least significant difference at 5% probability level. Plant spacing and lime application significantly increased growth as well as yield contributing factors of groundnut. The highest percentage of seedling emergence (95.22) and tallest plants were observed with a lime rate of 1.5 t/hailed at 30 × 30 and 25 × 50 cm were statistically similar (p &gt; 0.05) but greater (p &lt; 0.05) than yield from 30 × 5 cm spaced groundnut. Lime applied at 0.5 to 1.5 t/ha had a statistically similar yield, higher than control. The results recommend that liming at the rate of 1.0 t/ha is beneficial for groundnut cultivation in Calabar.

Soil and Crop Effects of a Subsurface Fluid Lime Applicator

Highlights Continuous no-tillage with fertilizer deep-banded below the seed can result in stratified soil acidity that cannot be rapidly addressed with surface-applied lime. We modified a tractor-driven sweep implement to inject fluid lime that targets sub-surface soil acidity with minimal disturbance that maintains surface crop residues, and tested it prior to seeding winter peas at 4 liming rates. Soil chemistry, microbiology, and crop growth were monitored over the season. Abstract. Deep-banding ammonia and urea-based nitrogen fertilizers under continuous no-tillage can result in stratified acidification at the fertilizer-injection depth. Currently, producers address this acidification through primary tillage operations that mix the soil and dilute the acidification, but increase the hazard of soil erosion. Typically, lime is required to ameliorate soil acidity; however, surface-applied lime does not immediately address subsurface acidity, and often tillage is used to incorporate lime and correct acidified layers created through deep-banded fertilizer placement under no-tillage. Here, we designed, developed, and tested a subsurface applicator for fluid lime that can target specific soil depths and rates. The liming system was tested in Eastern Washington on a field that had been under continuous no-tillage for 25 years, had stratified soil acidity, and was to be planted to winter pea, a crop known to be sensitive to acid soil conditions. Soil pH and carbon distribution, microbial changes, biomass, and leaf area index (LAI). Results indicated that the lime targeted the seed zone and raised pH significantly; effects on biomass were marginally significant; and effects on LAI and vegetation cover were insignificant. Topography had a significant effect on all variables due to changes in applicator effectiveness with changes in soil mechanics, meaning as-applied rates varied from desired rates. Keywords: Liming, No-tillage, Precision agriculture, Soil acidity, Soil microbiology.

Lime Management to Increase Soil pH in Semi‐Arid Regions of the U.S.

AbstractSoil acidification, a common issue in high‐rainfall areas of the U.S. and Canada, has become a more prevalent problem in the semi‐arid areas of the western U.S. Liming is an effective way to mitigate soil acidity as the carbonate reacts with hydrogen ions in the soil solution to increase the soil pH. However, questions exist about the type of liming product, lime rate, cost effectiveness, and how long the lime benefits last, especially in regions that have historically not needed lime, like much of the Great Plains. Earn 0.5 CEUs in Soil &amp; Water Management by reading the article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

Effect of different lime rates under mineral fertilization on nutrient removal by winter wheat on sod-podzolic soil

Effect of different lime rates under mineral fertilization on nutrient removal by winter wheat on sod-podzolic soil