Soil acidity and aluminium toxicity as affected by surface liming and cover oat residues under a no-till system

A 3-year field trial examined in a long-term no-till system the effects of surface-applied lime and cover black oat ( Avena strigosa Schreb) residues on soil chemical attributes, root growth and grain yield of corn ( Zea mays L.) and soybean ( Glycine max L. Merrill) on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox in Paraná State, Brazil. The treatments consisted of dolomitic lime broadcast on the soil surface at 0 or 12 t/ha, with and without cover of black oat residues. Corn and soybeans were grown without rainfall limitation. Applying lime on the surface improved soil acidity and decreased aluminium (Al) toxicity to a 10-cm depth 1 year after application. Surface liming increased pH and the content of exchangeable Ca²⁺ to a 20-cm depth, and decreased Al toxicity to a 40- to 60-cm depth, 3 years after application, indicating that the surface-applied lime moved deeper. Cover black oat residues did not favour the mobility of surface-applied lime to alleviate subsoil acidity and an increase in the Al³⁺ saturation level at the soil surface was found in unlimed plots with black oat residues. Root growth and grain yields of corn and soybean were not influenced by surface liming with or without cover black oat residue. Despite the soil acidity level, root length of corn and soybean ranged from 55 to 60% at 0- to 10-cm depth. The results suggest that Al toxicity is low in no-till systems during cropping seasons with adequate and well-distributed rainfall, but this effect is not related to the presence of cover oat residues.     

Changes in soil properties after 10 years continuous non-tilled and conventionally tilled corn

Soil properties were evaluated after 10 years of continuous non-tilled and conventionally tilled corn (Zea mays L.) production on a Maury silt loam (Typic Paleudalfs) soil, which had been in bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) for 50 years. On limed and nonlimed plots soil samples from 0, 84, 168 and 336 kg/ha N treatments were taken in the 0–5, 5–15 and 15–30 cm layers for determination of organic C and N, soil pH, and exchangeable Al, Mn, Ca, Mg, K.Tillage treatments had no effect on soil bulk density in the 0–15 cm layer. In the 0–5 cm surface layer, organic C and N were approximately twice as high with no-tillage as with conventional tillage; N fertilizer induced a high level of both organic C and organic N. No-tillage decreased soil pH for unlimed plots as compared to conventional tillage, especially at high N-rates, which produced an increase in exchangeable Al and Mn and a decrease in exchangeable Ca down to the 30 cm depth. When lime was applied, the pH of the surface soil was slightly higher under no-tillage. On treatments receiving lime, exchangeable Al and Mn levels were very low with no significant difference in tillage systems. At low rates of N fertilization the 10-year average corn yield was higher for conventional tillage than for no-tillage, but at high rates of N fertilization it was equal or higher for no-tillage treatments receiving lime. Unlimed no-tillage treatments produced lower yields at all N levels during 1975–1979. Deterioration of soil physical properties was not observed.     

Soil acidity factors and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in acid hill soils

Abstract. Correlation analysis was used to determine the main factors related to soil pH and to yield of white clover in a range of hill soils. Results for 109 Northern Ireland pasture soils showed that pH (H₂O) was significantly correlated with exchangeable Ca, total exchangeable bases, base saturation, P, exchangeable Al and Al saturation, but not with exchangeable Mn. Clover yield (dry weight of shoots) in 12 acid soils from Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Falkland Islands was significantly correlated with exchangeable Ca, total exchangeable bases and Al saturation. The results support the use of Al saturation rather than exchangeable Al, soil solution Al or pH when calculating lime requirements to overcome these limiting factors in hill soils.     

The influence of acid soil factors on the growth of snapbeans in major appalachian soils

Abstract

Acid soil limitations to plant growth were assessed In 55 horizons of 14 major Appalachian hill land soils. Aluminum sensitive “Romano” and Al‐tolerant “Dade” snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were grown for 5 weeks in limed and unlimed treatments of the 55 horizons. Shoot and root growth was depressed >20% in unlimed relative to limed treatments in approximately 2/3 of the horizons. Dade snapbeans were generally more tolerant of the acid soil conditions and had higher Ca concentrations in the shoots than Romano snapbeans. However, the sensitive‐tolerant snapbean pair could not consistently be used to identify horizons with soil Al problems. Growth of both snapbeans was generally best in A horizons and worst in E horizons. The E horizons in this study were characterized by low Ca saturation (exchangeable Ca x 100/cation exchange capacity) and high Al saturation (exchangeable Al x 100/cation exchange capacity). Exchangeable Ca, soil Ca saturation and total soil solution Ca were positively correlated (p<0.01) with snapbean root and shoot growth. Soil Al saturation, total soil solution Al and soil solution Al reacting in 15 seconds with 8‐hydroxyquinoline were negatively correlated (p<0.01) with growth. The ratio of Ca/Al in soil solution was more closely related to snapbean growth than the soil solution concentration of any individual element. Soil and soil solution Mn were, in general, not significantly correlated with snapbean growth. Many of the horizons in this study had both Al toxicity and Ca deficiency problems and interaction between Ca and Al affected both snapbean growth and Ca uptake. These findings confirm the importance of considering Ca as well as Al when investigating Al phytotoxicity.     

Liming in the transition to no-till under a wheat–soybean rotation

Soil and subsoil aluminium toxicity has been one of the main limiting factors for soybean and wheat yields in tropical soils. Usually liming is the most effective way to deal with soil acidity and Al toxicity, but in no-till systems the soil is not disturbed making it impossible to incorporate lime in the arable layer, and lime has been usually applied on the soil surface. In this paper soybean and wheat responses to lime applied on the soil surface and/or incorporated in the soil arable layer were evaluated during the transition from conventional tillage to a no-till system. The experiment was conducted for 3 years in Paraná, Brazil, using a wheat–soybean rotation. Lime rates ranging from 0.0 to 9.0 t ha⁻¹ were incorporated down to 20 cm and 4.5 t ha⁻¹ were spread or not on the soil surface. Soil samples were taken down to 60 cm, 39 months after the first lime application. Soil chemical characteristics were affected by lime application down to 60 cm deep in the profile. Soybean responded to lime irrespective of application method, but the highest accumulated yield was obtained when lime was incorporated into the arable layer. For wheat, the more sensitive the cultivar, the greater was the response to lime. During the introduction of a no-till system, lime must be incorporated into the arable layer when the wheat cultivar is Al-sensitive.     

不同灌溉方式对保护地土壤酸化特征的影响

自连续13a在同一地块以不同灌溉方式进行灌溉试验的保护地,分层采集沟灌、滴灌、渗灌3个处理0～60cm土层土壤样品,研究灌溉方式对土壤酸化特征的影响。结果表明,3种灌溉处理土壤活性酸度和交换性酸含量均随着土层加深而降低,各处理间土壤活性酸度在0～40cm土层差异明显,总体为沟灌>渗灌>滴灌;土壤交换性酸差异出现在0～30cm土层,为渗灌>沟灌>滴灌;土壤交换性Al3+随土层加深呈先增加后降低的变化趋势,且以滴灌含量最低。各处理土壤盐基饱和度(BS)随土层加深而增加,在0～30cm土层为滴灌>渗灌>沟灌。土壤pH与交换性酸、硝态氮含量呈极显著负相关,与盐基饱和度、特别是Ca2+饱和度呈极显著正相关;Al3+占交换性酸比例与有机质含量呈极显著负相关。总之,保护地土壤酸化与硝态氮含量、盐基饱和度、有机质含量关系密切;与沟灌和渗灌相比,滴灌更利于抑制土壤酸化。     

中国东南部红壤施用石灰和石膏后底土酸性的减缓

Application of lime or gypsum is a common agricultural practice to ameliorate soils with low pH which prohibits crop production. Its integrated effect on soil properties in a red soil derived from Quaternary red clay in Southeast China is discussed in this paper. Application of gypsum in the topsoil without leaching raised soil pH and promoted the production of soil NH₄, but lime addition had a contrary effect. Generally, application of lime and/or gypsum has little effect on soil electrical properties. Gypsum had a little effect on soil exchange complex and its effect went down to 30 cm in depth. The effect of lime reached only to 5 cm below its application layer. With leaching, Ca transferred from top soil to subsoil and decreased exchangeable Al in subsoil. Gypsum application led to a sharp decrease in soil exchangeable Mg but had no effect on K.     

Rice and common bean growth and nutrient concentration as influenced by aluminum on an acid lowland soil

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is a major limiting factor for crop production in many acid soils in Brazil. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate response of rice (Oryza saliva L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Al levels on a Low Humic Gley acid soil. The Al levels created by liming were: 0,0.03, 0.10, 0.23, 1.03, and 3.83 cmol_c kg^‐1 of soil. Rice dry matter and grain yield were significantly improved (P<0.05) with increasing Al levels in the soil solution. However, common bean dry matter as well as grain yield were significantly (P<0.01) decreased with increasing Al levels. At 3.83 cmol_c Al kg^‐1 of soil, bean did not produce any dry matter or grain yield. On an average, Al decreased nutrient concentrations in the tops of rice plant except zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn), but in bean crop almost all the nutrients concentrations were increased with increasing Al levels. Rice showed tolerance to Al toxicity, whereas, common bean was susceptible to toxicity of this element. For successful intensive crops production lime application will be necessary in Varzea soils especially for legume production.     

Evaluation of two coal-derived organic products in ameliorating surface and subsurface soil acidity

Acidity in the soil surface and subsurface is of major concern in horticulture, cropping and pasture production systems in southern Australia. Broadcast applications of lime to the surface have proved to be ineffective in ameliorating subsurface acidity in the short term. Two calcium-saturated coal-derived organic products, an ‘oxi-product’ (OXPR) and an ‘oxi-fulvate’ (OXFU), were evaluated for use as liming materials with specific consideration given to amelioration of subsurface acidity. The effects of these two organic products and of lime on the chemical composition of the A₁ and A₂ horizons of an acid red podzol were investigated in leaching columns, 20 cm long. OXPR and OXFU supplying 80 or 160 g Ca m^?2 were compared to 160 g Ca m^?2 applied as CaCO₃ and a control receiving no amendments. The effects of CaCO₃ on exchangeable Al and pH were limited to the surface 2 cm. In contrast, the two organic amendments were effective in decreasing exchangeable Al and increasing pH and exchangeable Ca to depth, the extent being a function of amendment and rate applied. The formation of inorganic and organic complexes were assumed to be responsible for the movement of Al out of the column in the leachate, although significant quantities of Al were precipitated in the column. Significant linear regressions were observed between the ionic strength and Al in the leachate. Significant quantities of Mg and K were displaced by Ca and leached from the column; consequently, this loss must be considered against the benefits of decreased exchangeable Al when assessing fertility for plant production.     

Acidity,nutrient stocks,and organic‐matter content in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

The production and composition of leaf litter, soil acidity, exchangeable nutrients, and the amount and distribution of soil organic matter were analyzed in a broad‐leaved mixed forest on loess over limestone in Central Germany. The study aimed at determining the current variability of surface‐soil acidification and nutrient status, and at identifying and evaluating the main factors that contributed to the variability of these soil properties along a gradient of decreasing predominance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and increasing tree‐species diversity. Analyses were carried out in (1) mature monospecific stands with a predominance of beech (DL 1), (2) mature stands dominated by three deciduous‐tree species (DL 2: beech, ash [Fraxinus excelsior L.], lime [Tilia cordata Mill. and/or T. platyphyllos Scop.]), and (3) mature stands dominated by five deciduous‐tree species (DL 3: beech, ash, lime, hornbeam [Carpinus betulus L.], maple [Acer pseudoplatanus L. and/or A. platanoides L.]). The production of leaf litter was similar in all stands (3.2 to 3.9 Mg dry matter ha^–1 y^–1) but the total quantity of Ca and Mg deposited on the soil surface by leaf litter increased with increasing tree‐species diversity and decreasing abundance of beech (47 to 88 kg Ca ha^–1 y^–1; 3.8 to 7.9 kg Mg ha^–1 y^–1). The soil pH_(H2O) and base saturation (BS) measured at three soil depths down to 30 cm (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm) were lower in stands dominated by beech (pH = 4.2 to 4.4, BS = 15% to 20%) than in mixed stands (pH = 5.1 to 6.5, BS = 80% to 100%). The quantities of exchangeable Al and Mn increased with decreasing pH and were highest beneath beech. Total stocks of exchangeable Ca (0–30 cm) were 12 to 15 times larger in mixed stands (6660 to 9650 kg ha^–1) than in beech stands (620 kg ha^–1). Similar results were found for stocks of exchangeable Mg that were 4 to 13 times larger in mixed stands (270 to 864 kg ha^–1) than in beech stands (66 kg ha^–1). Subsoil clay content and differences in litter composition were identified as important factors that contributed to the observed variability of soil acidification and stocks of exchangeable Ca and Mg. Organic‐C accumulation in the humus layer was highest in beech stands (0.81 kg m^–2) and lowest in stands with the highest level of tree‐species diversity and the lowest abundance of beech (0.27 kg m^–2). The results suggest that redistribution of nutrients via leaf litter has a high potential to increase BS in these loess‐derived surface soils that are underlain by limestone. Species‐related differences of the intensity of soil–tree cation cycling can thus influence the rate of soil acidification and the stocks and distribution of nutrients.     

红壤不同利用方式下的剖面酸度特征

【目的】 作物类型及其管理模式是影响红壤酸化的主要因素之一,研究不同利用方式下红壤剖面酸度的变化特征,对红壤酸化防治具有重要指导意义。 【方法】 选取由红砂岩母质发育红壤的4种主要利用方式 (水田、旱地、果园和林地),通过分层 (0—20、20—40、40—60、60—80 cm和80—100 cm) 测定pH、交换性酸、交换性盐基总量和盐基饱和度,定量比较不同利用方式下各酸度指标在剖面上的变化特征及程度。 【结果】 在不同利用方式下,红壤剖面pH为水田 (5.69) > 旱地 (4.71) ≈ 果园 (4.74) > 林地 (4.49);交换性酸含量为林地 (6.54 cmol/kg) ≈ 旱地 (6.52 cmol/kg) > 果园 (3.51 cmol/kg) > 水田 (0.79 cmol/kg);交换性盐基总量为水田 (4.47 cmol/kg) > 旱地 (1.97 cmol/kg) > 果园 (1.26 cmol/kg) > 林地 (0.48 cmol/kg);盐基饱和度为水田 (53.14%) > 旱地 (20.87%) > 果园 (15.41%) > 林地 (4.67%)。随着土层深度的增加,红壤剖面pH值逐渐升高;不同层次间交换性酸含量无显著差异;交换性盐基总量随土壤深度增加逐渐升高,为60—100 cm (2.34 cmol/kg) > 40—60 cm (2.05 cmol/kg) > 0—40 cm (1.75 cmol/kg);水田利用方式下红壤盐基饱和度随土壤深度增加逐渐升高,为80—100 cm (33.95%) > 60—80 cm (32.27%) > 40—60 cm (31.31%) > 20—40 cm (25.47%) > 0—20 cm (21.08%)。水田、果园利用方式下红壤pH与交换性酸含量呈显著负相关,与交换性盐基总量和盐基饱和度呈显著正相关;旱地利用方式下红壤pH与交换性盐基总量呈显著正相关;林地利用方式下pH与交换性酸含量呈显著负相关。 【结论】 4种利用方式下,在0—40 cm土层,林地红壤酸度最高,其次是果园和旱地,水田红壤酸度最低,在40—100 cm土层酸度变异较小。通过改变土地利用方式,降低红壤交换性酸含量、增加交换性盐基总量和盐基饱和度可以有效降低红壤酸度。      

Addition of lignin to lime materials for expedited pH increase and improved vertical mobility of lime in no‐till soils

Soil acidification caused by long‐term nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications has been a growing concern for dryland crop production in both tilled and no‐till soils in the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Many no‐till soils have stratified soil pH in the 5–10 cm depth due to repeated N fertilizer applications at this depth. In the PNW, the practice of liming to correct low soil pH is complicated due to lack of affordable lime sources and because the inherent difficulty in ameliorating stratified soil acidity in no‐till systems. An intact soil‐column incubation study was conducted to investigate whether mixing lime materials with lignin‐containing black liquor—a by‐product from the pulp industry—could elevate soil pH change in both conventional and no‐till systems and expedite vertical downward movement of lime in no‐till system. Results indicate that mixing lime with black liquor has the potential to not only elevate the increase in soil pH in both conventional till and no‐till systems, but also accelerate downward movement of lime to correct soil pH below the soil surface. Mixing agricultural lime or super fine micro lime with black liquor increased soil pH to a depth of 25–30 cm within 147 days after surface application to a no‐till soil.     

Calcium requirements of citrus

Abstract

A close relationship was found between the pH of soil suspensions in the SMP buffer solution (pH_smp) and the potential acidity of soils (H + Al) extracted by a neutral calcium acetate solution (r = 0.98), for twenty six soil samples of the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, This relationship was represented by the equation lnY = 7.76 ‐ 1.053X, which allowed for the calculation of H + Al directly from the values of pH_smp.

With the values of H + Al and the sum of bases, calcium, magnesium and potassium, the cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the base saturation (V) were calculated. Relationships between the base saturation of the soils and the active acidity of soil suspensions were close, both for pH determined in water (r=0.94) and pH determined in 0.01M CaCl₂ solution (r ‐ 0.97). Thus the lime requirement (LR) of soils could be calculated, for given values of pH or base saturation, using the equation LR = CEC (V₂ ‐ V₁)/100, in which V₁ is the base saturation of the soil and V₂ is the expected value upon liming.

The predicted values for lime required to increase the soil pH in water to either 5.5 or 6.0 were comparable to those obtained by the direct use of the SMP buffer method, and were, respectively, two and four times higher than the amounts required to neutralize exchangeable aluminum, considering the criterion LR = Al × 1.5.

The proposed method to determine lime requirement of soils is described in detail and the advantages of its use are discussed.     

Comparative study of selected lime requirement methods for some acid Ghanaian soils

Abstract

The acid soils of the western region of Ghana which hitherto have been relegated to forest and tree crops production are becoming increasingly important for agricultural food crop production in the country. However, on account of their strongly acidic properties, there is the need to apply agricultural lime to the soils to improve upon their productivity. At present, however, information on the lime requirement and appropriate liming practice for these soils is lacking. The objective of this study was to compare the suitability of selected chemical methods for the determination of the lime requirement to predict lime needs of these naturally occurring acid soils. The lime requirement of six acid soils were determined by calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] titration, exchangeable aluminum (Al), and Shoemaker, McLean, and Pratt (SMP) buffer methods. Correlation analysis showed that all the methods were highly correlated with one another. The SMP method was found to be somewhat better than either exchangeable Al or Ca(OH)₂ titration method for estimating the lime requirement of the soils. Hence, the SMP method is recommended for use as the diagnostic index of lime requirement of these soils because of its speed and simplicity. Regression studies on the lime requirement values by the three methods and selected soil properties showed that exchangeable Al and organic carbon were the most important soil factors contributing to the lime requirement of these soils. Clay content was significantly correlated only with the Ca(OH)₂‐based lime requirement values (r = 0.81*).     

Nature of Soil Acidity in Relation to Properties and Lime Requirement of Some Inceptisols

Some Inceptisols representing the Singla catchment area in Karimgaunge district of Assam, India, were studied for lime requirement as influenced by the nature of soil acidity. The electrostatically bonded (EB)-H+ and EB-Al3+ acidities constituted 33 and 67 percent of exchangeable acidity while EB-H+, EB-Al3+,exchangeable and pH-dependent acidities comprised 6, 14, 20 and 80 percent of total potential acidity. The pH-dependent acidity made a major contribution towards the total potential acidity (67%～84%). Grand mean of lime requirement determined by the laboratory incubation method and estimated by the methods of New Woodruff, Woodruff and Peech as expressed in MgCaCO3 ha-1 was in the order: Woodruff (15.6) ＞ New Woodruff (14.9) ＞ Peech (5.1) ＞ incubation (5.0). Correlations analysis among different forms of acidity and lime requirement methods with selected soil properties showed that pH in three media, namely water, 1 mol L-1 KCl and 0.01 mol L-1 CaCl2, had a significant negative correlation with different forms of acidity and lime requirement methods. Exchangeable Fe and Al showed significant positive correlations with EB-Al3+ acidity, exchangeable acidity, pH-dependent acidity and total potential acidity, and also lime requirement methods. Extractable Al showed positive correlations with different forms of acidity except EB-H+ and EB-Al3+ acidities. The lime requirement by different methods depended upon the extractable aluminium.Significant positive correlations existed between lime requirements and different forms of acidity of the soils except EB-H+ acidity and incubation method. The nature of soil acidity was mostly pH-dependent. Statistically, the Woodruff method did slightly better than the New Woodruff, incubation and Peech methods at estimating lime requirement and hence the Woodruff procedure may be recommended for routine soil testing because of its speed and simplicity.     

Effect of gypsum on soil potassium and magnesium status and growth of alfalfa

Abstract

Though surface‐applied gypsum has been shown to be useful in reducing the subsoil acidity syndrome, excessive application could reduce the availability of other essential cations in soil. This study was conducted to determine the effects of surface‐applied gypsum on the availability of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in field soils. Field experiments were conducted on Davidson and Tifton series soils in the southeastern United States with 6 main ameliorant treatments (0, 2, 5, and 10 t gypsum/ha, soil profile mixed to 1 m without lime incorporation and, mixed with lime to 1‐m depth), and 2 levels of Mg (0 and 100 kg Mg/ha) and 4 levels of K (0, 125, 250, and 375 kg K/ha) in a split‐split plot configuration. Alfalfa was grown on the Tifton soil and sorghum on the Davidson soil. Yields of alfalfa and sorghum increased with 2 t gypsum/ha but were adversely affected above 5 t gypsum/ha. Gypsum amendment at 2 t/ha reduced topsoil exchangeable Mg and K in both soils. In the soil profile study, exchangeable Mg was reduced throughout the upper 52.5‐cm depth, while no reduction of K was observed below the 22.5‐cm depth in either soil. The study indicates that Mg is more susceptible to leaching loss than K after surface application of gypsum. It is also suggested that surface‐applied gypsum be used as a soil ameliorant along with proper management of Mg and K fertilizers.     

Effect of liming and phosphate application on sudangrass growth and phosphorus availability in two temperate acid soils

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out in the greenhouse with two loamy sand Dystric Cambisols derived from schist to investigate the effect of liming and phosphorus (P) application on plant growth and P availability and its assessment by four soil test methods: 0.01M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), cation anion exchange membrane (CAEM), Egnér‐Riehm, and Olsen procedures. Soils were first incubated for two weeks with lime at four levels, depending on their content of exchangeable aluminum (Al). Phosphorus was added at two rates (75 and 150 mg P kg^‐1) and the incubation proceeded for an additional two‐week period. Sudangrass (Sorghum sudanenses cv. Tama) was then planted and harvested four weeks later. During incubation and plant growth, soils were maintained at 70% of field moisture capacity. Although pH value and soil extractable P in original soils were similar, the results showed a significant difference on the effect of liming and P application. Acidity was the major limitation for DM yield in the soil with the highest amount of exchangeable Al, while P availability was the main constraint in the other soil. Liming above pH (0.01M CaCl₂) 5.3–5.5 did not increase DM yield in either soil and showed a negative effect on one soil (9.7 to 6.9 and 10.2 to 7.8 g pot^‐1). Phosphorus content and uptake by sudangrass increased with liming, revealing a positive effect of lime on the availability of P to plants. Added P showed a lower efficiency in the soil with highest amounts of Al compounds. Soil tests performed after the execution of the pot experiment showed variable tendencies to predict P availability, according to the nature of the procedures and soils. Soluble‐P in 0.01M CaCl₂ increased with the rise of soil pH. Extractable CAEM‐P and Egnér‐Riehm‐P also increased with liming, but reflected the soil depletion caused by plant uptake. Extractable Olsen‐P presented the most inconclusive results, suggesting the limitation of this method for acid soils which have been limed.     

Physicochemical properties of the soils associated with shifting cultivation in Northern Thailand with special reference to factors determining soil fertility

Abstract

Recently agricultural activity in the mountainous area of northern Thailand has increased and problems relating to soil fertility have arisen. In order to gain basic information about the soil properties associated with shifting cultivation, physicochemical properties of the surface soils (0–10 cm) and subsoils (30–40 cm) were investigated in selected villages in the area. The physicochemical properties of the soils studied are summarized as follows: 1) The soils were rich in organic matter, content of which ranged from 11.4 to 63.3 g C kg^?1 in the surface soil. 2) The pH(H₂O) of the soils mostly ranged from 5 to 7 and soil acidity was more pronounced in the deeper horizons. In the surface soils, exchangeable Ca and Mg were generally dominant, whereas exchangeable Al was often predominant in the subsoils. 3) Most of the soils showed a medium to fine texture with more than 30% clay. The clay mineral composition was characterized by various degrees of mixture of kaolin minerals and clay mica with, in some cases, a certain amount of 2:1-2:1:1 intergrades. 4) According to the ion adsorption curves, most of the B horizon soils were characterized by the predominance of permanent negative charges. On the other hand, organic matter contributed to the increase of variable negative charges in the surface soils. The content of organic matter and the percentage of the clay fraction were essential for determining the CEC of the soils of the surface 10 and 30–40 cm depths, respectively. Under the field conditions, the composition of exchangeable cations largely reflected the soil acidity. In addition, the content of organic matter also showed a significant correlation with that of available N in the surface soils. Thus, soil acidity both in the surface soils and subsoils, organic matter content in the surface soils, and clay content in the subsoils were considered to be the main factors that affected soil chemical fertility in the area.     

Genese und Klassifikation von Organomarschen der Wesermarsch

Formation and classification of humus-rich marshland soils of the Weser marshland, Germany The formation and classification of marshland soils are still controversial. To improve the knowledge on the formation of humus-rich marshland soils 11 soil profiles have been investigated. The soils mostly showed Phragmitis in the subsoil. The Gr-horizons began at low depths (40–60 cm). The clay content was often about 60% and the C_org content up to 480 g kg^?1. The amount of total sulfur was up to 29.6 g kg^?1, that of exchangeable sulfate up to 4608 mg kg^?1 and that of sulfate in the saturation extract 51.2 mg l^?1. With pH (H₂O) values between 2.0 and 7.4, Carbonate/S ratios < 3 and total sulfur contents > 7.5 g kg^?1 some soils showed “Actual Acid Sulfate Soil” (AASS) properties. The pH(per) values varied between 2.4 and 7.1, thus some profiles showed “Potential Acid Sulfate Soils” (PASS) properties. Brakish as well as marine environments with an intensive sulfur dynamics and carbonate leaching are likely within the geogenetic phase of soil development. Via the control of the water regime the pedogenetic phase is mainly of anthropogenic influence. We propose to classify humus-rich marshland soils into “Organomarsch” and “Thiomarsch” on the soil type level of the German systematics.     

Hybrid ryegrass response to acid soil treatment with calcitic and dolomitic lime

Abstract

Since ryegrass (Lolium sp.) is a widely grown cool‐season forage grass, its magnesium concentration is of special interest to ruminant livestock producers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of calcitic or dolomitic lime addition on dry matter yield and mineral composition of hybrid ryegrass, Lolium (multiflorum x perenne x perenne) grown in eight acidic soils. Each soil received two levels of calcitic or dolomitic lime, L(C₁) and L(C₂) or L(D₁) and L(D₂), which raised pH to approximately 5.3, and 6.0. Dry matter yield response was obtained only in soils having an initial % Al saturation ≥59, % Mg saturation ≤10 and % Ca saturation ≤21. Only in one soil, which had an initial exchangeable Mg level of 0.05 cmol_c/kg of soil, was response to dolomitic lime higher than that obtained with calcitic lime. Magnesium concentration in dry matter was increased by both levels of dolomitic lime with the increase dependent on the rate used and on the initial level of exchangeable Mg. The average Mg concentration increased from 0.8 to 3.9 g/kg, from 1.6 to 3.6 g/kg, and from 2.6 to 3.9 g/kg, when ryegrass was grown in soils having low, medium, and high initial exchangeable Mg levels, respectively. Mg concentration in the ryegrass tended to be lower in the unlimed soils than when calcitic lime was used, 1.1 vs. 1.4 g/kg, when the soils had low to medium exchangeable Mg levels. The results suggest that if ryegrass is to be grown in acidic soils containing low to medium levels of exchangeable Mg, the use of dolomitic lime is desirable, even if no yield response to applied Mg is expected, to decrease the probability of the Mg deficiency disease, hypomagnesemia, in ruminant animals.