Neutralize Soil Acidity Research Articles

Lime stabilized sludge treatment of acid soils relative to soil acidity minimums for sludge application

Abstract Lime stabilized sludge (LSS) from wastewater treatment plants contains lime, which may neutralize soil acidity, and P, an essential plant nutrient. Guidelines for use of land application of secondary sludges call for the soil pH to be at 6.5 or above prior to application. This greenhouse study was initiated to determine the effects of placement of LSS from two sources on soil and plant parameters of three test species grown on two soils each limed and unlimed. Test crops were radish (Raphanus sativus L), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shred), and red clover (Trifollum pratense L.). An objective was to determine the need for a pH ≥ 6.5 prior to application of LSS. Aliquots of two acid soils were limed and left unlimed. The soils were potted after receiving the equivalent of 57,000 kg ha‐1 of either dairy or municipal LSS placed in the 2,500 g of potted soil. One crop of radish and two cuttings of the forages were taken. Placement did not affect dry matter yields but the municipal sludge treated ...

Evaluation of shallow tillage for spring cereals on a fine sandy loam. 2. Soil physical, chemical and biological properties

Changes in the soil condition were determined over a 4-year period, to assess the use of shallow tillage for the low-input production of spring cereals in Prince Edward Island. The soil was a Charlottetown fine sandy loam (Orthic Podzol) which has a low resistance to compaction. Shallow tillage (rotary harrow, disc harrow) was conducted to the 10 cm soil depth and compared with mouldboard ploughing (20 cm) and direct-drilling. Shallow tillage caused excessive compaction in the middle portion of the Ap horizon (8–16 cm) as characterized by reduced macroporosity (<12%, v/v) and increased relative compaction (>85%). Penetrometer resistance measurements indicated that both shallow tillage and direct-drilling reduced the depth of loose soil (<1.5 MPa) to 10–15 cm, compared with 20–25 cm under ploughing. Shallow tillage improved the size distribution of macro-aggregates and increased the stability of 1–9 mm aggregates at the soil surface (0–3 cm). Differences in placement and incorporation of crop residues and amendments caused a redistribution of organic matter, microbial biomass, and extractable P and Ca within the Ap horizon. An acidic, lower Ap horizon developed over time in the shallow-tillage system. The tillage requirement for acidic, fine sandy loams would necessitate a periodic increase in tillage depth for long-term shallow-tillage systems to remove middle Ap horizon compaction and to provide deeper soil mixing of lime amendments to neutralize soil acidity.

Lime-stabilized and chemically-fixed sewage sludges as lime amendments

Lime-stabilized (LS) and chemically-fixed (CF) sewage sludges have been inadequately evaluated for utilization as amendments to acid soils. A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effect of these sludges on the growth and chemical composition of corn ( Zea mays L.) grown on acid soils. The CaCO 3 equivalent of the lime-stabilized and chemically-fixed sludges was 30·9 and 58·1%, respectively. The quantities of sludge needed to raise the soil pH to 6·5 were based on the results of a laboratory incubation study and the quantity of CaCO 3 needed was based on the Adams-Evans procedure for lime requirement (LR). Liming materials were applied at 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400% of the LR calculated to raise the soil pH to 6·5 Soils studied were the Ap horizon of a Glenelg silt loam (Typic Hapludult) and the Bt horizon of a Tatum clay loam (Typic Hapludult). Maximum corn growth was produced at the 100% LR rate for both the lime-stabilized and chemically-fixed sewage sludge application rate. There was a decrease in corn growth with an increase in sewage sludge applications above the 100% LR rate. However, with the exception of the lime-stabilized sewage sludge addition to the Tatum soil, the 200% LR application rate reduced yields by < 10%. When CaCO 3 was the liming agent, yields decreased at amendment rates exceeding 50% LR on the Glenelg soil and 100% LR on the Tatum soil. A large percentage (37–93%) of the observed variation in yield and Zn and P content in the tissue could be attributed to the level of lime amendment applied to the soil. The diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS) indicated that reduced yields at the higher application rates of CaCO 3 and sewage sludge resulted primarily from Zn deficiency. The fact that crop yields were not reduced as much where sewage sludge was used as the lime amendment (as compared with CaCO 3) was probably due to increased plant-available Zn present in the sludge. Data analyses by DRIS indicated that for the Tatum soil, yield increases with increased rates of lime amendments to the 100% LR rate resulted from the alleviation of a P deficiency. Both the lime-stabilized and chemically-fixed sewage sludges were effective in neutralizing soil acidity, as indicated by increased soil pH and decreased exchangeable Al with increased rates of application.

Green Manuring with Vetch on Acid Soil in the Highland Region of Rwanda

ABSTRACT Green manuring with vetch was evaluated on an acid soil in the highland region of Rwanda, East-Central Africa. Incorporation of 5-month old vetch lowered soil pH as well as raising exchangeable Al and H and reducing exchangeable Ca, Mg, and P. Consequently, bean and wheat yields for the subsequent season were reduced by 71 and 33%, respectively. There was no response to fertilizer N on either main treatment. There were no significant yield differences for either crop with respect to vetch treatment during the second season. Third season crop yields were superior on the control plot, with that of beans being significantly different. Application of lime raised exchangeable Ca, K, ECEC and reduced exchangeable A1. Bean was more affected by exchangeable A1 than wheat. Half-life for decomposition of the vetch was 3.5 weeks and nutrient release pattern followed the order: K>N>P>Ca indicating that liming may be required to supply Ca and to neutralize soil acidity at the initial stages of decomposition.

TECHNIQUES FOR SPEEDING THE MOVEMENT OF LIME INTO AN ORCHARD SOIL

Many soils in orchards in southern British Columbia are acidic, especially those with sandy texture. Most orchards have vegetative ground cover. A field experiment was therefore undertaken on a sandy soil to determine the most effective method of getting lime into the rooting zone of fruit trees without damaging their roots. Applying lime on the grass surface at 3.6 t ha−1 was as effective in reducing soil acidity of the 0- to 25-cm horizon as incorporating lime into the soil. Calcium hydroxide, calcite and dolomite were all equally effective in raising soil pH. Doubling the liming rate greatly increased the downward neutralization of soil acidity and movement of Ca and Mg. The pH was raised by about 1 unit throughout the profile by the higher rate of Ca(OH)2, (7.2 t ha−1). Ammonium sulphate detracted from the benefits of liming, with the 200 kg N ha−1 rate causing a significant depression in pH at the 0- to 20-cm depth. Ammonium nitrate had a smaller adverse effect. Hence, neutralization of soil acidity in the upper rooting zone of fruit trees can be accomplished in only a few years by applying high rates of lime on the grass surface and by using the lesser acidifying N fertilizers. Key words: Liming materials, application methods, N fertilizer

Liming effects on some chemical and biological parameters of soil (spodosols and histosols) in a hardwood forest watershed

Acidic lakes and streams can be restored with base application (usually limestone) provided that the base does not wash out before the benefits of alkalization can be realized; liming soils of the adjoining watershed may be an alternative approach. This study was conducted to provide a scientific basis for soil liming. Plots (50 m2) with different limestone dosages (e.g. 0, 5, 10 or 15 Mg CaCO3 ha−1) were established on each of two different soils (a Spodosol and a Histosol) in the Woods Lake watershed of the Adirondack Park Region of New York, USA. Six months after soil liming much of the added limestone was still present in both the Spodosol and in the Histosol. Ten months after soil liming results indicated that: (1) soil pH increased (>1 unit) but mostly in the top 1 cm; (2) net N mineralization increased from 9.6 to ca. 15 µg N g−1 d−1 and nitrification increased from 2.8 to ca. 8 µg N g−1 d−1; (3) denitrification was not affected (98 µg N g−1 d−1); (4) CO2 production potential decreased in the surface soil and as a function of limestone dosage (60 to 6 µmol g−1 d−1); and (5) soluble SO 4 2− concentrations in the Histosol were not affected (105 µmol L−1). Liming acidic forest soils with >5 Mg CaCO3 ha−1 may increase the soil's acid neutralizing capacity, which could provide long-term benefits for surface water acidification.

Differential tolerances of oat cultivars to aluminum in nutrient solutions and in acid soils of Poland

Abstract Aluminum tolerant oat cultivars are needed for use on acid soil sites where neutralization of soil acidity by liming is not economically feasible. Oat germplasm in Poland has not been examined for range of Al tolerance. Eleven Polish oat cultivars were screened for Al tolerance in nutrient solutions containing 0, 5 and 15 mg L‐1 Al. Three of these cultivars showing high to moderate tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions were also grown in greenhouse pots of soil and in field plots of soil over a pH range of 3.8 to 5.5 as determined in 1 N KC1. The eleven oat cultivars differed significantly in tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions. Based on relative root yield (15 mg L‐1 Al/no A1%), the cultivars ‘Solidor’ and ‘Diadem’ were most tolerant and ‘Pegaz’ and ‘B‐20’ were least tolerant. For these three cultivars, the order of tolerance to acid soil agreed with the order of tolerance to Al in nutrient solution ‐ namely, Solidor > Diadem > Leanda. Hence, for these cultivars, the nutrient solution methods used appear adequate for selecting plants that are more tolerant to Al in strongly acid soils. Additional study is needed to assess the value of this method for screening a broad range of germplasm. Superior tolerance of the Solidor cultivar to acid soil was associated with significantly higher concentrations of N in the grain. Hence, results suggest that selecting for acid soil or Al tolerance may increase N efficiency in oats.

Effects of fluidized red combustion residue on pecan seedling growth and nutrient content

Abstract Fluidized bed combustion residue from a calcitic limestone source (FBCRC), a by‐product of scrubbing SO2 from fossil fuel fired boilers using the FBC technique was evaluated as a source of calcium for pecan (Carya illinoensis (Wang.) K. Koch) seedlings. Fluidized bed combustion residue produced following injection of calcitic limestone into the combustion chamber was more effective in neutralizing soil acidity and increasing extractable soil Ca levels than agricultural calcitic limestone. The Ca concentration in the pecan leaves was increased linearly by Ca rates for both 12‐ and 24‐week growth periods, but stem and petiole Ca concentration was increased linearly for the second 12‐week growth period. Macronutrient concentrations were affected by Ca rates for both 12‐ and 24‐week growth periods, but no effect was observed with Ca source. The primary difference was between the control and all other Ca rates. Leaf concentrations of Mn and Zn were decreased linearly by Ca rates and source for the fir...

Fluidized bed combustion residue as an alternative liming material and Ca source

Abstract Fluidized bed combustion residue (FBCR), a by‐product of fossil fuel fired boilers, was evaluated as a liming material and a source of calcium for peaches (Prunus persica I.L.J Batsch). Incubation studies involving a medium textured soil indicated that FBCR (calcitic [FBCRC] or dolomitic [FBCRD] sources) was as effective a liming amendment as the respective agricultural limestone. Maximum soil pH occurred after 26 days incubation with FBCRC, but soil pH increased continuously throughout 137 days incubation with dolomitic limestone. Ammonium acetate extractable Ca was not affected by calcitic source, but Mg concentration increased with rates with the two dolomitic sources, and was highest in the FBCRD source after 137 days incubation. In greenhouse studies with ‘Elberta’ peach seedlings, FBCRC was more effective in neutralizing soil acidity and increasing extractable soil Ca than calcitic limestone after 24 weeks of growth. Leaf and stem Mn, Zn, and Al concentrations were decreased linearly by the...

Economic Evaluation of Crop Response to Lime

U.S. farmers applied 32.9 million tons of agricultural limestone in 1979 at a cost of roughly $380 million (USDA, tables 650, 662). Although lime is sometimes used to supply calcium or magnesium, its principal use is to neutralize soil acidity (Adams and Pearson, p. 178). When most crops were grown in rotations, legumes supplied much of the nitrogen for other crops. Soil-test recommendations aimed at soil pH values of at least 6.5 to accommodate the legumes. Legumes as a source of nitrogen have now been largely replaced by commercial fertilizers, however. Lime rates need to be reevaluated because many nonlegumes thrive at pH values below 6.5.

Conventional and Suspension Limestone Influence on Soil Chemical Properties and Corn and Soybean Yields1

AbstractConventional and suspension limestone materials prepared from identical limestone rock were evaluated to compare their reaction rates for neutralizing soil acidity. Measurement of the limestone materials influence on N NH4OAc extractable Ca and Mg and N KCl exchangeable Al, soil pH, and crop yields were utilized to study reaction rates. Field plots were established on a Goldsboro sandy loam (Aquic Paleudults) and an Emporia loamy sand (Typic Hapludults) in the Coastal Plain region. Corn was the indicator crop for the Goldsboro soil, while soybeans were grown on the Emporia soil. Treatments ranged from 0 to 13.94 and 0 to 4.48 metric tons/ha on the Goldsboro and Emporia soils, respectively. Initially, extractable soil Ca and Mg increased and exchangeable Al decreased more rapidly with suspension limestone applications than with conventional treatments. Regardless of material, lime rates of 2.24 metric tons/ha and greater increased surface soil pH 2 weeks after limestone application on both soils. Sixteen weeks after lime treatment, increases in extractable Ca and Mg and soil pH, and decreases in exchangeable Al were approximately equal for both materials. Yield responses varied with lime treatments at both locations.

Utilization and Disposal of Fly Ash and Other Coal Residues in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Review

AbstractA major shift to coal as an energy source adjunct with more stringent air quality standards will result in the increasing production of vast quantities of the already difficult‐to‐dispose coal residues in the United States. Since coal residues contain potentially hazardous substances, improper handling and disposal could cause undesirable environmental effects. This report intends to summarize impacts of land‐oriented utilization and disposal of various coal combustion residues.The physical and chemical properties of coal ashes are dependent on the coal's geological origin, combustion conditions, efficiency of particulate removal, and degree of weathering before final disposal. Coal residues, applied on cropland, are not practical sources of essential plant nutrients N, P, and K; however, they can effectively serve as a supplementary supply of Ca, S, B, Mo, and Se to soils. Fly ash could also be an effective amendment in neutralizing soil acidity. Many of the observed chemical and biological effects of fly ash applications to soils resulted from the increased activities of Ca2+ and OH− ions. Most unweathered fly ashes, especially those coming from the subbituminous and lignite coals of the western U.S., are high in these constituents and usually will cause high soil salinity. The accumulation of B, Mo, Se, and soluble salts in fly ash‐amended soils appear to be the most serious constraints associated with land application of fly ash to soil.

Particle Size Effects on Stockpiling and Spreading Agricultural Limestone

AbstractStockpiling of agricultural limestone is a necessity in many agricultural regions due to transportation and production limitations. Particle size influence on stockpiling and spreading ground limestone must be quantified in order to produce a material that is effective in neutralizing soil acidity and can be uniformly spread after weather‐exposed storage. Effects of particle size on bulk density, percent moisture, and spread pattern uniformity by a commercial twin‐spinner bulk spreader were measured. Calcitic and dolomitic limestones with &gt;60% passing a 100‐mesh (150 µm) sieve bridged in the spreader body and resulted in uneven flow to the spreader spinners. Handling problems were not encountered with materials having &lt;55% passing a 100‐mesh sieve. Ground limestones with particle size distributions of 85 to 88, 48 to 61, and 39 to 56% passing 20‐ (850 µm), 60‐ (250 µm), and 100‐mesh sieves, respectively, were evenly spread after outdoor storage. Bulk densities ranged from 1.34 to 1.53 g/cm3 while moisture contents varied from 0.7 to 6.0%.

On Evaluating Crop Response to Lime in the Tennessee Valley Region

Excessive soil acidity has long been recognized as one reason soils become unproductive, and liming to neutralize excess acidity has been practiced at least since the second century B.C. [5, p. 125]. Although liming has become a common practice, some researchers contend that farmers use too little lime [e.g., 5, p. 125].Although lime is sometimes used to supply calcium or magnesium, it is principally used to neutralize soil acidity [3, p. 178], commonly measured by soil pH. Many agronomists agree that most crops require some lime if pH falls below 5.0 and that most require no lime if pH is 7.0 or higher [17, pp. 221–222]. When legumes supplied nitrogen for other crops in rotation, most lime recommendations were designed to raise soil pH to 6.5 or higher to accommodate the legumes. Now, however, nitrogen requirements for most crops are supplied from fertilizer, and some lime recommendations aim for pH levels somewhat below 6.5, at least for non-legumes such as corn and cotton.

Effect of Limestone Variables on Amendment of Acid Soils and Production of Corn and Coastal Bermudagrass

AbstractThree particle size ranges of calcitic and dolomitic limestones were applied at 4.5, 9, and 13.5 metric tons/ha. Evaluations were designed to determine the most efficient treatment for neutralizing soil acidity, and increasing crop production in Katy fine sandy loam (pH 5.2) and Boy loamy fine sand (pH 5.4). Liming effects were evaluated by soil and plant analyses. Efficiency rating (ER) was used to describe the limestone particle size ranges. Finer limestone particles were assigned higher relative efficiency values. The sum of the products of particle size percentage ranges multiplied by the relative efficiency assigned those ranges, times the neutralizing value of that limestone is the ER.Increases in soil pH were proportional to limestone ER and application rate. Calcitic limestone neutralized soil acidity more rapidly than did dolomitic. We found a statistically significant increase in calcium (Ca) in the 30‐ to 46‐cm depth of Boy loamy fine sand at the 13.5 metric ton/ha rate of ER 110 calcitic limestone. This was probably due to 689 kg of N/ha applied as NH4NO3 the first year following limestone treatment. Magnesium (Mg) increased in the 30‐ to 46‐cm depth due to all dolomitic treatments.Limestone did not increase the yield of corn (Zea mays L.) or Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon Dactylon L. Pers.) in the harvest year.All treatments of calcitic limestone significantly increased the Ca percentage in corn. All dolomitic limestone treatments except the ER 26 material applied at 4.5 metric tons/ha increased Mg concentration in corn leaves and Coastal bermuda‐grass. Manganese toxicity occurred in corn plants growing in nonlimed plots the third season following treatment. Soil acidity and reducing conditions contributed to the toxicity.

Efeitos da granulometria, formas e quantidades de materiais corretivos na acidez do solo

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da granulometria e da quantidade de dois materiais corretivos da acidez do solo na produção de milho e trigo, bem como em propriedades químicas do solo. A parte experimental foi conduzida em casa de vegetação, em vasos de Mitscherlich, com amostra de Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro orto, coletada no município de Itapetininga. As culturas utilizadas para medir os efeitos dos calcários foram milho e, a seguir, trigo. Os resultados mostraram efeitos idênticos dos dois calcários na produção de massa seca, para as duas culturas. Os aumentos verificados foram grandes, e não foi observada diferença entre os dois materiais corretivos estudados, como também não foram obtidas diferenças de produções com as diversas granulo-metrias empregadas, para os dois calcários.

Comparative Lime Effects on Continuous No‐Tillage and Conventionally Tilled Corn1

AbstractBecause the absence of tillage precludes the mixing of lime with soil when no‐tillage corn (Zea mays L.) is grown, an experiment was conducted to determine if surface application would be effective. Information on the subject is not presently available but is needed to guide growers in neutralizing soil acidity caused by high rates of nitrogen applied to corn.Field studies over an 8‐year period compared continuous no‐tillage corn with surface‐applied lime to continuous conventionally tilled corn with lime incorporated into the soil. Comparisons of the two tillage methods were also made without lime to determine the degree of response to lime. Lime increased corn yield more than twice as much in no‐tillage culture as in conventional tillage. Lime was essential for highest yields with both tillage methods but the yield increase due to surface applied lime in no‐tillage culture averaged 31.3%, compared to a 13.5% yield increase due to incorporated, lime in conventional tillage culture.Associated with the larger yield increase from lime in the no‐tillage culture were 1) a higher pH in the 0 to 10‐cm soil layer (averaging 6.4 in no‐tillage compared to 6.0 in conventional tillage) in the eighth year; and 2) larger increase in exchangeable Ca and a reduction in exchangeable AI in the 0 to 10‐cm layer. The pH and exchangeable Ca and AI in the 10 to 20‐cm soil layers from tilled and nontilled soil were almost identical. A highly significant correlation was found between maturity of the corn and yield increase due to lime. Thus, it appears probable that the principal mechanism for the yield reduction caused by the lack of lime was reduced growth. This was especially apparent in early growth stages but was partially overcome later. It was more noticeable in no‐tillage corn than in conventionally tilled corn. At harvest, the increase in dry matter content of no‐tillage corn ears which was caused by lime was larger than that in conventionally tilled corn.Water use efficiency for the increased corn grain yield due to lime in no‐tillage was calculated to be almost three times that in conventional tillage.

Equilibria in CaCO_3-CO_2-H_2O System in Soil Solution with a Special Reference to the Neutralization of Soil Acidity

Equilibria in CaCO_3-CO_2-H_2O System in Soil Solution with a Special Reference to the Neutralization of Soil Acidity

REHABILITATION AND MAINTAINING AGROCHEMICAL MEASURES OF SOIL FERTILITY FROM HIGH AREA OF APUSENI MOUNTAINS

The present paper presents the effect of some rehab ilitation and maintaining agrochemical measures of soil fertility adapted to current material means of agricultural producers from mountain area. These consist, partic ularly, of base fertilization with organic fertilizers, proceed from local farms, and suppleme ntation with mineral nutrients depending on plants specific and global consumption. In Apuseni Mountains area it is evidently the soil characteristic in close concordance with climate and vegetation altitudinal variations. Thus, soils succeed each other from the foot of the mountain till to the high combs, starting fr om brown podzolic, brown albic, eumezobasic and brown acid soils, respectively distri cambosols. These have a good pretability for forests, particularly coniferous trees, culture s of potato, clover, flax, wheat, rye etc. By the agrochemical point of view, districambosols have an acid character to strong acid, pH values 4. 5 ‐ 5.5, exchangeable aluminum is present in all soil s ubtypes, organic matter content and humus reserve i s low. The obtained production results of potato culture i n mountain area, point out the priority effect of organic and organic-mineral fertilization , for rehabilitation and maintaining of the organic matter content and humus reserve, for neutr alization of soil acidity and decreasing of the exchangeable aluminum phytotoxic effect. Fertilizers application to be realized by a durable system and with ecological protection, by using organic resources of different sources, or ganic-mineral and others, that allow realization of ecological products and remove the p ollution state of the environment.

Neutralizing Soil Acidity under Bermudagrass Sod

AbstractThe effectiveness of surface‐applied lime in preventing subsoil acidification from residually acid N sources used on Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) was influenced by (i) soil type, (ii) lime rate, (iii) N source, and (iv) N rate. Lime applied at a rate equivalent to acidity of the N source maintained both pH and exchangeable bases in a loamy sand but not in a clay loam soil. Lime applied at three times the N fertilizer equivalent acidity was more effective in correcting subsoil acidity than were lower rates, and the effect was more pronounced in the coarse‐ than in the fine‐textured soil.Calcium gluconate was highly effective in increasing subsoil pH and exchangeable base level under Coastal bermudagrass but caused an undesirable fungal bloom. Surface‐applied NaNO3 was effective in correcting subsoil acidity in both a coarse‐ and a fine‐textured soil without accumulation of Na, and the effect was relatively uniform throughout the depth of profile sampled (45 cm). Calcium nitrate was also effective in increasing subsoil pH and exchangeable Ca in medium textured soil to a depth of 45 cm, with less pronounced effects down to 75 cm. Residual basicity of Ca(NO3)2, as measured by increase in exchangeable Ca in the soil profile, ranged from 1.7 to 2.5 kg CaCO3 per kg N, depending upon rate of application.