Lime Treatments Research Articles

Biochar improves diary pasture yields by alleviating P and K constraints with no influence on soil respiration or N2O emissions

Dairy pastures can be a major source of soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions due to the combination of intensive nitrogen (N) fertiliser use and high soil water content, from either rainfall and/or irrigation. Biochar application is a promising approach to lower soil greenhouse gas emissions, particularly under high soil moisture conditions where denitrification is the primary N-transformation pathway. In a replicated field trial, we evaluated the effects of two contrasting biochars derived from poultry litter and from hardwood on soil N2O emissions, soil ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3−) status, pasture productivity and herbage nutrient content. A liming treatment to mimic the liming equivalence of the poultry litter biochar was used to separate any effects observed from changes in soil pH. To further separate the effects of biochars on soil N status, N2O emissions and pasture N uptake, high and low N fertiliser doses (annual application of 672 kg N ha−1, 336 kg N ha−1) were superimposed across all of the treatments. The N fertiliser dose had no significant impact on pasture yield. Application of poultry litter biochar resulted in significant increases in pasture productivity under both high and low N inputs. This was achieved by alleviating soil P, and possibly K nutritional constraints that are typical in Australian Ferralsols. Under the high N fertiliser dose, emissions of N2O from the treatments and control were not significantly different (p > 0.05) and ranged between 1.14 and 1.78 kg N2O-N ha−1 across the 11-month study. The low N dose resulted in significantly lower emissions of N2O of between 0.80 and 0.84 kg N2O-N ha−1, but biochar had no significant effect on net emissions across the season. The lack of impact of biochar on N2O emissions was attributed to the relatively dry conditions over the trial period resulting in nitrification being the most likely N-transformation pathway. During brief episodes of high soil moisture, peak emissions from the biochar plots were lower than from the control or lime treatment, but these differences did not impact on the emission budget over the 11-month sampling campaign.

Korelaciona zavisnost prinosa zrna i komponenti prinosa prolećnog ječma gajenog na kiselom zemljištu

A field trial was conducted in 2016-2017 to determine the effect of different rates of mineral fertilisers, especially phosphorus, and lime on grain yield, yield components and their correlation in the spring barley cultivars 'Dunavac' and 'Novosadski 456' under dryland farming conditions at the experimental field of the Secondary School of Agriculture, Kraljevo. The experiment was performed on a very acidic soil (pHH2O 4.5), in a randomised block design with three replications. Grain yield, stem length, number of spikes m-2, spike length, number of grains per spike and grain weight per spike increased in response to mineral fertilisers and lime. Both cultivars performed better under mineral fertilisation and liming treatment than under increased phosphorus fertilisation, as the availability of macro- and micronutrients increased with increasing soil pH i.e. due to phosphorus immobilisation in the highly acidic environment. In general, significant positive correlations were observed among yield components, and between grain yield and its components. Grain yield was significantly positively correlated with number of spikes m-2, spike length, number of grains per spike and stem length. Correlations between grain yield and its components under diverse agroenvironmental conditions can guide the selection of cultural practices as well as the choice of cultivars for unfavourable growing conditions.

Wheat grain-yield response to lime application: relationships with soil pH and aluminium in Western Australia

Soil acidity, or more specifically aluminium (Al) toxicity, is a major soil limitation to growing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the south of Western Australia (SWA). Application of calcium carbonate (lime) is used to correct Al toxicity by increasing soil pH and decreasing soluble soil Al3+. Soil testing using a 0.01 m calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution can measure both soil pH (pHCaCl2) and soil Al (AlCaCl2) for recommending rates of lime application. This study aimed to determine which combination of soil pHCaCl2 or soil AlCaCl2 and sampling depth best explains the wheat grain-yield increase (response) when lime is applied. A database of 31 historical lime experiments was compiled with wheat as the indicator crop. Wheat response to lime application was presented as relative yield percentage (grain yield for the no-lime treatment divided by the highest grain yield achieved for lime treatments × 100). Soil sampling depths were 0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm and various combinations of these depths. For evidence that lime application had altered soil pHCaCl2, we selected the change in the lowest pHCaCl2 value of the three soil layers to a depth of 30 cm as a result of the highest lime application (ΔpHmin). When ΔpHmin <0.3, the lack of grain-yield response to lime suggested that insufficient lime had leached into the 10–30 cm soil layer to remove the soil Al limitation for these observations. Also, under high fallow-season rainfall (228 and 320 mm) and low growing-season rainfall (GSR) (<140 mm), relative yield was lower for the measured level of soil AlCaCl2 than in the other observations. Hence, after excluding observations with ΔpHmin <0.3 or GSR <140 mm (n = 19), soil AlCaCl2 provided a better definition of the relationship between soil test and wheat response (r2 range 0.48–0.74) than did soil pHCaCl2 (highest r2 0.38). The critical value (defined at relative yield = 90%) ranged from 2.5 mg Al kg–1 (for soil Al calculated according to root distribution by depth within the 0–30 cm layer) to 4.5 mg Al kg–1 (calculated from the highest AlCaCl2 value from the three soil layers to 30 cm depth). We conclude that 0.01 m CaCl2 extractable Al in the 0–30 cm layer will give the more accurate definition of the relationship between soil test and wheat response in SWA.

Tanggap Pertumbuhan Aren (Arenga Pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) Diinokulasi Dengan Fungi Mikoriza Arbuskula Terhadap Pengapuran Di Lahan Pasca Tambang Batubara

Sugar palm is one of local plants spesies that may potential for reclamation program because can be planted under the stands of forest crops. Forest crops can be shade seedlings sugar palm from direct sunlight because the growth of sugar palm is relatively slow. Sugar palm can be useful even without cutting down the trees. Previously, sugar palm had been planted at PT Berau Coal and had produced fruit. The research was conducted at coal post-mining land of PT Bukit Asam, Tanjung Enim, South Sumatera. The research using combination of AMF and liming treatment is as follows, ie MaK0 (control), Mak1 (seedling with AMF without inoculation; liming 30 g plant-1), MiK0 (AMF indigenous seedling inoculation; without liming), MiK2 (AMF indigenous seedling inoculation, liming 60 g plant-1), MmK0 (AMF mycofer seedling inoculation; without liming), and MmK3 (AMF mycofer seedling inoculation, liming 120 g plant-1). The results showed that sugar palm could be grown in the coal post-mining land. The combination of AMF and liming treatment did not significant effect on observed variables of plant height, rachis length, diameter, leaves number, number of spore and root cholonization. Sugar palm seedlings that have been infected with AMF could be grown and provide a good growth response even without liming.Keywords : Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), marginal land, sugar palm

Approaches for phosphorus removal with calcium hydroxide and floating macrophytes in a mesocosm experiment: impacts on plankton structure

Cultural eutrophication has promoted the application of several mitigation strategies in the last 50 years. In this study we tested the combined effects of two techniques: calcium hydroxide [(Ca(OH)2), lime] and a free-floating macrophyte (Salvinia rotundifolia Willd) to examine the soluble reactive phosphorus removal capability and the effects on plankton (phytoplankton and zooplankton) structure in a in situ lake mesocosms experiment. The experiment lasted 10 days (n = 12, 500 l each) with a control and three treatments (lime (CH), plants (FM), and the combination of both (CH + FM)). Samples of several physical and chemical variables (including nutrients) and phytoplankton were taken at the beginning, 2 days after, 4 days, and 10 days (end of the experiment). Zooplankton was sampled at the beginning and at the end. The highest depletion effect of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) was observed in presence of lime. Phytoplankton biovolume was highly and negatively affected in lime treatments (CH and CH + FM). Zooplankton changed from Rotifera to Cladocera and Copepoda in presence of macrophytes. We conclude that lime + plants reduces more effectively SRP, phytoplankton biovolume and promotes herbivorous zooplankton development; becoming by this way, in a suitable mitigation strategy to be explored in future field manipulation studies.

Advances in the utilisation of castor (Ricinus communis Linneo) seed meal as protein supplement in poultry diets

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of readily available, cheap agroforestry products/by-products for livestock and poultry feeding. Castor is an economically important shrub grown mainly for its oils used for industrial, medicinal and food purposes. Castor seed meal (CSM), a by-product of castor oil extraction, has currently no food value but may have potential as feed ingredient in poultry diets. The increased demand for castor oil for industrial and medicinal uses will further increase the availability of this by-product. The meal has a good supply of protein (335–400 g/kg), metabolisable energy (7.65–11.34 MJ/kg), unsaturated fatty acids and moderate in essential amino acid content. The major factor hindering its efficient utilisation in poultry feed is the presence of highly toxic factors, mainly ricin. Currently, the meal is mainly, used as organic fertilizer. Several detoxification methods reduce the ricin content of the meal and make it safe for poultry. Moist heating, sodium chloride and lime treatments are more efficient in reducing the ricin content but dry heat has little effect. Detoxified meal is safe between 100 and 400 g/kg diet depending on the method of detoxification, age and species of poultry and amino acid supplementation but untreated meal is not. There is need for more research into processing conditions that would reduce toxicity and maintain a satisfactory nutrient profile. Recently, genetic engineering has been able to silence the ricin-coding gene in castor plant. Research into commercial production of this new cultivar will add value to castor meal as feed ingredient. Maximum utilisation of CSM in poultry feeding will reduce feed cost, provide additional source of income and maintain a balanced ecosystem by reducing the environmental risk of disposing this waste. This paper reviews the composition of CSM and developments in its utilisation for poultry feeding.

Comparison between conventional and organic hazelnut farmers: a case study in Terme District of Samsun, Turkey

The primary purpose of this study was to compare conventional and organic hazelnut farmers regarding socioeconomic characteristics and the different cultural practices they apply on their hazelnut orchards. Two stratified samples of 56 conventional and 42 organic hazelnut producing farmers from Terme district of Samsun province were the participants of this study. Information was provided by administering a questionnaire filled out during the face-to-face interviews conducted with each farmer. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests of independence were used to analyze data. Results of this study showed that organic hazelnut farmers are more conscious about some cultural practices such as conducting soil testing and applying lime treatments. Conventional farmers, on the other hand, are more careful in applying terracing in sloppy areas and applying a general field cleaning before harvest. Organic farmers demand more extension service which they can easily access from Organic Hazelnut Farmers' Union.

Distribution and transformation of lead in rice plants grown in contaminated soil amended with biochar and lime

This study aimed to investigate the effects of rice straw biochar and lime (RBL) on the remediation of lead (Pb)-contaminated soil and mitigation of Pb translocation in rice plants by using pot experiments. Lead-contaminated soil collected from a farmland near a Pb-zinc (Zn) mine, biochar, limestone powder, and indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) were used in the present study. The experimental treatments included: (1) control (CK), (2) 2.5% biochar (RB1), (3) 5% biochar (RB2), (4) 0.6% lime (L1), (5) 1.2% lime (L2), (6) 2.5% biochar + 0.6% lime (RBL1), and (7) 2.5% biochar + 1.2% lime (RBL2). The results revealed that the treatment with RBL was more efficient than the treatment with only biochar or lime in decreasing CaCl2-extractable Pb content in the soil by increasing soil pH and soluble sulfate content in the soil. Treatment with RBL reduced in the accumulation of Pb in the shoot of rice plants, this was mainly attributed to the decrease in the concentration of available Pb in the soil. The RBL2 treatment not only decreased the concentration of Pb in brown rice by 84.33% and Pb distribution in rice embryo, but also increased rice yield by 53.38% from that of the control. Further, unlike biochar treatment, RBL and lime treatments decreased the translocation of Pb in rice plants. The RBL treatment increased the proportion of Pb distributed in the cell wall and reduced the mobility of Pb in plant tissues. Thus, application of biochar and lime in combination is more effective than their individual application in reducing the availability of Pb in the soil and Pb accumulation in brown rice.

Effect of biochar and quicklime on growth of wheat and physicochemical properties of Ultisols

Acidity of soils poses numerous drastic impacts on physical and chemical properties of soils along with diminishing the soil nutrient status. A pot experiment was conducted to improve the soil physicochemical properties and wheat production in strongly acidic soils (Ultisols) of tropical and subtropical regions of China. Sludge biochar (C1), straw biochar (C2), and quicklime (CaO) were applied in different combinations in the soil, and wheat was grown till maturity. The results revealed that at 4% C1 + 100% CaO, soil pH was amplified by 64%, while exchangeable H+ and Al3+ contents reduced significantly at C1 treatment with and without lime application (p˂0. 05). A significant reduction of 18 and 17% in soil bulk density was observed at 4% C2 and 4% C2 + 50% CaO, respectively. Soil surface cracks in terms of crack area and crack length at 2% C1 + 50% CaO were reduced by 33 and 29%, respectively. Tensile strength of red soil decreased with the addition of amendments and the highest decrease (31%) in tensile strength was observed at 4% C1 + 50% CaO. Shear strength tests exposed that biochar and lime treatments showed slight enhancement (15%) in the internal friction angle (φ) at 2% C1 + 100% CaO and decreased (83.31 and 84.22%) the cohesion (c) value at 2 and 4% C1 in combination with a 50% CaO. The amendments in combination significantly increased the wheat biomass and wheat grain yield (103 and 131%), respectively, at 4% C2 + 100% CaO as compared to the control. The recent study suggests that biochar as well as lime can be effective to improve the physicochemical properties of red soils and wheat yield.

Lime or Phosphorus: Which is Best to Limit Broomsedge in Tall Fescue Pastures?

Core Ideas Broomsedge increases in low‐fertility tall fescue pastures. Phosphorus fertilization limits broomsedge increase in tall fescue pastures. Lime application limits broomsedge increase in tall fescue pastures. Applying recommended rates of lime and phosphorus increases tall fescue and limits broomsedge. Most Missouri tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) pastures grow on acidic, low‐phosphorus (P) soils. These conditions favor increases in broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus L.), a grass that is unpalatable for livestock. Three management strategies, 1) liming, 2) P fertilization, and 3) liming plus P fertilization, were evaluated for limiting broomsedge in tall fescue pastures. An established tall fescue pasture containing broomsedge was selected in southwest Missouri (soil pH 4.6, 6 lb/acre Bray I P). Lime was applied at 0x, 0.5x, 1x, and 2x the soil test recommendation (x = 3.67 ton/acre). Plots were treated with 0 or 50 lb P/acre. Plant counts for tall fescue and broomsedge were estimated over the next 3 years. Without P fertilization, broomsedge doubled over a 3‐year period. Phosphorus fertilization effectively maintained broomsedge at the initial level. The P treatment doubled the tall fescue count in 3 years following treatment, but without P, tall fescue counts remained at the initial level. Broomsedge increased nearly threefold without lime. Tall fescue more than doubled with the two highest lime treatments in 3 years. The 0x lime treatment resulted in no increase in tall fescue. Lime and P combined limited broomsedge increase to the greatest degree and produced the greatest increase in tall fescue. Increased vigor of tall fescue resulting from improved soil fertility likely influenced the increase in tall fescue and limited further encroachment of broomsedge. Applying lime and P could improve pastures by encouraging growth of desirable grasses and discouraging increases in common weeds like broomsedge.

Long-term stability and risk assessment of copper and cadmium in a smelter-impacted soil treated by four amendments

ABSTRACTIn an effort to address public concerns of the long-term stability and ecological risk reduction of Cu and Cd in a farmland located at the Guixi, Jiangxi Province, China, containing ∼ 800 mg kg−1 Cu and 0.8 mg kg−1 Cd soil, were treated in situ by attapulgite, apatite, montmorillonite and lime at the rate: 10, 10, 10 and 4 g kg−1 soil, respectively. Field experiment consisted of 2 × 3-m plots arranged in a randomised complete block design with each treatment. Soil and plant samples were collected in sixth years post-treatments and analysed for Cu and Cd bioaccessibility, chemical fraction and Cu, Cd concentration in plant tissue. The results indicated that the apatite and lime treatments significantly reduced bioaccessible and exchangeable fractions Cu and Cd in the soil at sixth years post the treatments. Cu and Cd concentration in plant tissue was positively related to the bioaccessibility of Cu and Cd. The treatment used 10 g apatite kg−1 soil appeared to be most effective for overall risk reduction. The Cu and Cd stabilisation and risk reduction by the apatite treatments were accomplished by the induced transformation of labile Cu and Cu species to relatively insoluble forms. This study illustrated that in situ Cu and Cd stabilisation by apatite would be long-term and ecologically safe, which could safeguard human health and ecosystem from Cu and Cd contamination in mining areas.

Determination of Resistance Cumhuriyet-75 and Selimiye-95 Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Varieties Against to Some Abiotic Stress Factories

In this study, resistance mechanism of two wheat genotypes against salt, heavy metal, lime and drought (50%) treatments were investigated in summer Cumhuriyet-75 and winter Selimiye-95. According to results chlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid level increased in FeCl3, drought and 225 mM NaCl in Cumhuriyet-75 but they were higher at NaCl, FeCl3 and ZnCl2 treatments in Selimiye-95 comparison to control. While H2O2 content rose all stres treatments in both varieties but Malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased in Selimiye with all applications. The amount of proline is lower in Cumhuiyet-75 but higher in Selimiye-95. Total soluble protein was found higher at salt concentartion and drought in both varieties. Ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Süperoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in salt and FeCl3 in Selimiye-95 but SOD ativity were higher at salt treatments in Cumhuriyet-75. And also in both varieties APX and Guaiacol peroxidase (GuPX) increased at FeCl3 but Catalase (CAT) were higher in only FeCl3 in Cumhuriyet-75. As a result Selimiye-95 showed tolerance to salt and FeCl3 with high photosynthetic pigment, proline and soluble protein content with lower MDA but it is sensitive to NiCl2 and drought. Whereas Cumhuriyet-75 cultivar is resistan to drought, FeCl3 and 225 mM NaCl depended on pigment, protein content and APX, CAT, GuPX and SOD activities. When all the data are taken into consideration, it was concluded that the responses of the varieties to the treatments changed according to the type and concentration of stress, and Selimiye-95 variety was tolerant compared to Cumhuriyet-75 variety.

Effects of lime treatment on the hydraulic conductivity and microstructure of loess

Lime treatment of loess in foundation engineering modifies the soil structure, leading to changes in mechanical and hydraulic properties of soil, which in turn will affect the flow of water and transport of contaminants in the loess. In light of this, it is essential to identify the dominant effects of different lime treatments on hydraulic conductivity, and to ascertain the optimum lime treatment. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of dry density and lime content on changes in hydraulic conductivity and microstructure of loess in Yan’an City, China. The results indicate that hydraulic conductivity has a log negative correlation with dry density, and lime addition can result in a decrease of hydraulic conductivity of loess at the same dry density. Under a given degree of compaction, however, lime addition can lead to a decrease in dry density due to an increase in flocculation and aggregations. The significant decrease of dry density leads to an increase in hydraulic conductivity when lime content (in mass percentage) is lower than 3%. Nevertheless, when lime content is higher than 3%, the reactions between loess particles and lime will be intensified with an increase in lime content, and become the primary factors affecting pore characteristics. These reactions can further decrease the hydraulic conductivity of lime-treated loess, and the lowest hydraulic conductivity was obtained for lime-treated loess with 9% lime content. The excess lime (above 9% lime content) dramatically increased pore size, leading to a significant increase in hydraulic conductivity. Therefore, 9% is the optimum lime content for loess treatment, and the degree of compaction in engineering should be higher than 95%. In addition, statistical analysis of microstructure of lime-treated loess shows that the distribution trends of macro- and meso-pores coincided with that of saturated hydraulic conductivity, which indicates that lime content affects saturated hydraulic conductivity of lime-treated loess by changing the soil structure, especially the properties of pores larger than 8 µm.

Occasional soil tillage, liming, and nitrogen fertilization on long-term no-tillage system

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the residual effects of occasional soil tillage in a 17-year-old, no-tillage system, associated with liming and nitrogen fertilization, on the crop yields and chemical properties of a very clayey Oxisol in the South of Brazil. A randomized complete block design in split-split plots was used, with two soil managements (with or without plowing), two liming treatments (with or without the required dose to raise base saturation to 70%), five N doses applied on side-dress (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 times the recommended amounts), and four replicates. A rotation system was used with corn and soybean in the summer, and with wheat and black oats in the winter. The residual effects of occasional soil tillage in a consolidated no-tillage system do not supplant those of liming applied on soil surface, in periods of water deficit, which subsidizes the recommendation to maintain the system consolidated. Excess N fertilization in no-tillage, with liming applied only on soil surface, may harm wheat yield, acidifying the topsoil and leaching Mg2+ to the subsurface soil layers. Without liming, soil acidification is more intense with N fertilization, which, however, favors the accumulation of organic matter on soil surface in a consolidated no-tillage system.

Impact of a New Deep Vertical Lime Placement Practice on Corn and Soybean Production in Conservation Tillage Systems

Agricultural soils utilized for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) production in the Midwestern U.S. are often managed to have adequate surface soil pH for crop growth, but the presence of acidic subsoils may limit crop production. Subsoil acidity may inhibit root growth, leading to decreased drought tolerance and grain yields. Application of aglime can increase soil pH, improve soil structure, and provide calcium and magnesium to the soil, but surface amendments that often occur in no-till systems rarely affect the subsoil, resulting in potential chemical and physical barriers to root growth. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of surface and a new deep vertical lime placement practice, at three application rates, on corn and soybean plant growth and yields in a conservation tillage system. Field trials were conducted from 2012 to 2016 in Northeast Missouri on a poorly-drained claypan soil with treatments of lime (0, 3.4, and 6.7 Mg ha−1) broadcast on the soil surface or applied as a deep vertical band to a depth of 51 cm. When precipitation was below average, compared to control plots, deep vertical placed lime at 6.7 Mg ha−1 significantly raised corn yields by 1.3 Mg ha−1 four years after treatment. In years with adequate precipitation, no significant increases in corn yield were observed with deep lime placement treatments compared to the control. Lime treatments had a greater effect on corn yield than soybean. Deep vertical placement of lime resulted in no significant increase in soybean yield compared to the controls for all trials. Longer observation time may be needed to fully evaluate the effects of these lime placement treatments.

Effective methods to reduce cadmium accumulation in rice grain

Contamination of cadmium (Cd) in paddy soil is a serious environmental problem threatening food safety in some parts of southern China, where rice grain Cd concentration often exceeds the Chinese limit (0.2 mg kg−1). We tested the effect of CaCO3 liming combined with growing low Cd cultivars on Cd accumulation in rice grain in 2-year field trials. A liming model was used to predict the doses of lime required. Lime (2.25–7.5 t ha−1) was applied in 2016 only and the effect monitored in both 2016 and 2017. Soil pH was increased from the initial 5.5 to the target value 6.5 by 7.5 t ha−1 CaCO3. Liming greatly reduced CaCl2-extractable Cd in the rhizospheric soil. Grain Cd concentration in the control exceeded the limit by 2–5 times. Liming at 7.5 t ha−1 decreased grain Cd concentration by 70–80% in both seasons without affecting grain yield. Grain Cd concentration was below the limit in the 7.5 t ha−1 liming treatment in both seasons. Grain Cd concentration correlated closely with CaCl2-extractable Cd in rhizospheric soil at the grain maturing stage. Seasonal difference in grain Cd concentration was attributed to the soil water status at the grain maturing stage. Liming had no significant effect on grain arsenic concentration or speciation. A single application of CaCO3 to raise soil pH to 6.5, combined with low Cd cultivars and delayed drainage of paddy water during late grain filling stage, was highly effective at reducing Cd accumulation in rice grain.

Effect of Farmyard Manure, Lime and Inorganic Fertilizer Applications on Soil pH, Nutrients Uptake, Growth and Nodulation of Soybean in Acid Soils of Western Kenya

Soybean is an important crop with nutrition, economic and soil fertility improvement benefits to farmers. However, its production in western Kenya is partly constrained by low soil pH and soil fertility levels. A greenhouse pot study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inorganic fertilizers, farmyard manure and lime application on soil pH, nutrient uptake, growth and nodulation of soybean grown in acidic soils from western Kenya. The experiment was set up in a randomized complete block design with eight treatments: control; NPK; manure; lime; manure+lime; NPK+manure; NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK. Significant effects of inorganic fertilizers, manure and lime applications were observed on all the variables. Manure, lime and manure+lime treatments increased soil pH by 1.33, 2.19 and 2.28, respectively, above the control treatment. The shoot N was lower under control (1.71-1.81%), NPK (1.85-1.98%) and manure (2.00-2.11%) than under all other treatments. Treatments NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK recorded higher uptake of P and K nutrients than all other treatments. The control and NPK treatments recorded shorter plants and low leaf area and above-ground biomass compared to other treatments. The NPK+lime and manure+lime+NPK treatments recorded higher plant height and aboveground biomass than other treatments. Lime+manure treatment recorded highest nodule numbers and dry weights per plant. Positive relationships were observed between pH and N, P and K nutrient uptake (R2 ranged between 0.30 and 0.77) and between biomass and N, P and K nutrient uptake (R2 ranged between 0.68 and 0.99). From this study, use of manure and lime could result in improved soil pH for better uptake of nutrients, nodule formation and productivity of soybean in Western Kenya.

Characterization of natural degradation of historical Moroccan Jewish parchments by complementary spectroscopic techniques

In this work, we have explored the potentiality of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), the vibrational attenuated total reflection - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS) for the characterization of the natural degradation of old parchment. The samples used in this work comprise four Moroccan Jewish historical parchments belonging to private libraries. The results have been correlated with those obtained by a selected modern parchment. The results obtained allowed for the first time an accurate insight into the chemical composition of these parchments. EDXRF Analysis of the samples allowed us to study some of the undertaken process along the preparation of parchments, such as the liming treatment using CaCO3. XRD was used to elucidate the collagen main features, to identify the inorganic composition of the parchments, and to evaluate the crystallinity changes upon natural weathering. FTIR spectroscopy enabled us to determine the changes of collagen material in response to natural ageing, overall oxidation (detection of bands at 1716cm−1) and collagen gelatinization. SEM-EDS results disclosed the morphological surface changes occurring at different levels in the fibrous network of collagen, and have proved a poor conservation state in some parchments.

Changes in the Metagenome of Prokaryotic Community as an Indicator of Fertility of Arable Soddy-Podzolic Soils upon Fertilizer Application

The influence of different systems of fertilization and liming on the changes in the taxonomic structure of prokaryotic community in arable soddy-podzolic soil (Albic Retisol (Loamic, Aric, Cutanic, Differentic, Ochric)) was studied in a stationary field experiment of Vologda State Dairy Farming Academy with the use of high-performance sequencing method of gene 16S rRNA. The 25-year-old fallow plot, in which the intensity of microbiological processes was close to that in the virgin soddy-podzolic soils, was used as a control. At the first stage, dominant phyla were identified: Proteobacteria (45.3–56.2%), Actinobacteria (13.6–20.4%), Bacteroidetes (7.2–19.3%), Acidobacteria (7.1–11.5%), and Verrucomicrobia (4.3–10.3%). Several groups of microorganisms-indicators, whose portion changes in the arable soil under the influence of liming, fertilizer application, and soil treatment in comparison with the control, were determined. The applied approach made it possible to relate the taxonomic structure of the soil microbial cenosis with external factors for assessing changes in the structure of soil microbial complex under the impact of different uses of the arable soil.

Prinos travno-detelinske smeše na kiselom zemljištu u trećoj godini nakon kalcizacije

Soil acidity is one of the most common reasons for low yields of forage crops. This paper analyzes the long-term effect of liming (control - without CaO; 3 t*ha-1 CaO; 6 t*ha-1 CaO) applied to an acid soil (pHH2O 4.8) before stand establishment on the productivity of a mixture of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and tall oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius L.) during the third year of production. Soil liming significantly increased hay yields in the first and second cuts by 17-25% and 46%, respectively, which resulted from an increase in the total yield and dry matter content of forage. In the third cut, soil liming had no effect on forage and hay yields due to the lower amount of precipitation in the second part of the growing season. Both lime application rates led to a significant reduction in the percentage of red clover in the first and second cuts, thus favoring the percentage of tall oat grass. In the third cut, only the percentage of weeds was lower in both lime treatments, as it decreased by more than 55% compared to the control.