Ameliorating acidity of an extensively‐managed permanent pasture soil

Acid soil amelioration was measured annually over an 11 year experiment. Lime, and superphosphate were surface‐applied under combinations of three rates of lime, viz. nil, lime to raise pH_{C a} of 0–10 cm to 5.0 (low rate) and 5.5 (high rate) respectively, two rates of superphosphate (125 kg/ha every 2 to 3 yr, 250 kg/ha/yr) and two sheep stocking rates. Soils were sampled at 0–2.5, 2.5–5, 5–7.5, 7.5–10, 10–15 and 15–20 cm. Soil pH stratification developed after lime application. By 11 yr lime had not raised pH_{C a} to either 5.0 or 5.5 in the 5–10 cm profile. However, pH_{C a} >5.0 or >5.5 were observed in the 0–5 cm profile. Under high P, low lime application, soil pH_{C a} was higher in the 0–2.5 cm profile at low stocking rate. Effects of applied lime on pH_{C a} declined with time and depth under low lime and the relationship with Al_ex which increased as pH_{C a} declined, was modelled. A rarely reported relationship showed that as soil C increased the apparent solubility of Al decreased. At the lowest pH_{C a} considered, there was a strong negative association between Al_ex and total C, becoming weaker with positive pH_{C a} increments. Higher P rates increased pH_{C a} under low lime contrasting with lesser effects on pH_{C a} under low P at the same lime rate. Slow and limited lime movement means that farmers growing acid sensitive plants must apply lime early enough and at rates and frequencies sufficient to ensure downward movement.     

浙江省嘉兴市郊水稻土酸度比较研究

2008年对嘉兴市郊339个水稻土土壤酸度分析结果表明,水稻土耕层酸度由1982年的中性为主降至目前的微酸性为主,各土种之间差异不大。其变酸原因是由于双季稻改种单季稻后,排水落干时间增长,耕层中大量亚铁氧化所引起,而不是施化肥之故。此原因也由灌水种稻后pH值有所升高、水田改种旱作后pH值显著降低所证实。     

Effect of crop residue biochar on soil acidity amelioration in strongly acidic tea garden soils

Strongly acidic soil (e.g. pH < 5.0) is detrimental to tea productivity and quality. Wheat, rice and peanut biochar produced at low temperature (max 300 °C) and differing in alkalinity content were incorporated into Xuan‐cheng (Ultisol; initial pH_{soil/water = 1/2.5} 4.12) and Ying‐tan soil (Ultisol; initial pH _{soil/water = 1/2.5} 4.75) at 10 and 20 g/kg (w/w) to quantify their liming effect and evaluate their effectiveness for acidity amelioration of tea garden soils. After a 65‐day incubation at 25 °C, biochar application significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil pH and exchangeable cations and reduced Al saturation of both tea soils. Association of H⁺ ions with biochar and decarboxylation processes was likely to be the main factor neutralizing soil acidity. Further, biochar application reduced acidity production from the N cycle. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in exchangeable cations and reductions in exchangeable acidity and Al saturation were observed as the rate of biochar increased, but there were no further effects on soil pH. The lack of change in soil pH at the higher biochar rate may be due to the displacement of exchangeable acidity and the high buffering capacity of biochar, thereby retarding a further liming effect. Hence, a significant linear correlation between reduced exchangeable acidity and alkalinity balance was found in biochar‐amended soils (P < 0.05). Low‐temperature biochar of crop residues is suggested as a potential amendment to ameliorate acidic tea garden soils.     

Classification schemes for the acidity,base saturation,and acidification status of forest soils in Switzerland

Soil chemical parameters related to soil acidity were determined for 1450 soil samples taken from individual mineral soil horizons in 257 forest soils in Switzerland, 196 developed from carbonate‐containing and 61 from carbonate‐free parent material. The distribution of pH values and exchangeable base cations in corresponding pH ranges were related to the capacity and rate of buffer reactions in the soil. Based on this, five acidity classes for individual soil samples were defined. To describe and classify the status of soil acidity and base saturation (BS) of an entire soil body, the pH and the BS of the total fine earth in the soil were calculated from the pH and BS, respectively, of the individual soil horizons and the estimated volumetric content of fine earth. The status of soil acidification of soil profiles was assessed primarily using the total amount of exchangeable acidic cations in percent of the CEC of the fine earth in the entire soil profile. As a second factor, the gradient between the acidity class of the most acidic soil horizon and the estimated acidity class at the beginning of soil formation was used. The application of these classification schemes to our collection of soil profiles revealed the great influence played by the type of parent material. The acidification status of most soils on carbonate‐containing parent material was classified as very weak to weak, whereas soils on carbonate‐free parent material were found to be strongly to very strongly acidified. In terms of parent rock material, microclimate, and natural vegetation, the results of this study and the proposed classification schemes can be considered appropriate for large parts of Europe.     

中性盐和pH对红壤、砖红壤胶体交换性酸的影响

In the present work, the exchangeable acidity of a red soil colloid and a latosol colloid at different pH during reacting with four neutral salts was measured. The results show that the exchangeable acidity increased with increasing amounts of the neutral salts added, and the relation between them was almost linear. When the amount of the neutral salt added was lower than a certain value, the slope of the line was high, and the slope turned low when the amount exceeded that value, so there was a turning point in each line. The addition amounts of the neutral salts for the turning points were affected by the cation species of the neutral salts, but pH had less effect on them. After the turning points occurred, the exchangeable acidity of the red soil colloid still gradually increased with the addition amounts of the neutral salts, but that of the latosol colloid did not increase any more. The exchangeable acidity in NaClO₄, KClO₄ and NaCl solutions increased at first, and then decreased with increasing pH, that is to say, peak values appeared. The peak positions of the exchangeable acidity in relation to pH changed with neutral salt solutions and were affected by the surface characteristics of the soil colloids, but not affected by the amounts of the neutral salts added. The exchangeable acidity in the Ba(NO₃)₂ solution increased continuously with increasing pH. The exchangeable acidity of the red soil colloid was obviously larger than that of the latosol colloid.     

Liming in relation to soil acidity and p fertilizer efficiency

Abstract

An acid brown podzolic (pH 4.0) soil of wide distribution in Ireland was limed with Ca(OH)₂ to pH values of 5.2 and 7.4. With each increment of lime significant increases in growth and F uptake by Italian ryegrass occurred, the increases being greatest with the first increment. Increasing soil pH resulted in decreased extractable aluminum and iron as well as exchangeable hydrogen. Available P as measured by various extractants increased with increasing soil pH.

The relative performance of three P fertilizers, superphosphate, phospal and basic slag was affected by liming. Basic slag was more effective than superphosphate at pH 4.0, was as effective at pH 5.2 and was less effective at pH 7.4. Phospal was poorest at each pH level. While growth and P uptake increased with increasing P levels the relative responses to the three fertilizers decreased with increasing soil pH.     

Ammonium nitrate as extractant for soil exchangeable cations,exchangeable acidity and aluminum

Abstract

NH₄NO₃ (1 M) has been used as an extractant for soil exchangeable cations, exchangeable acidity and aluminum. The results obtained using NH₄NO₃ were identical to those using KC1 and NH₄Cl as extractants for the purpose of evaluating soil chemical status. The NH₄NO₃ extraction has practical analytical advantages.     

Vegetation and soil acidity of a mangrove swamp in southeastern Nigeria

Abstract. The relationships between vegetation and acid properties of soils from a mangrove swamp in southeastern Nigeria were examined. Field moist soils were moderately acidic with pH ranging from 5.3 to 6.8. Air dry pH ranged from 2.9 to 4.9 indicating strong acidity; the values increased with profile depth and were related to decreasing fibrous root content. Less acidic conditions (air dry pH 4.3–4.9) were associated with the less fibrous soils under Avicennia africana and Pandanus candelabrum ; more acidic conditions (air dry pH 2.9–3.8) occurred in the more fibrous Rhizophora spp. and Nypa fruticans soils. Species occurrences and levels of aluminium and sulphate in the profiles were related, suggesting that hydrogen ions, aluminium and sulphate were the main contributors to exchangeable acidity. Unless crops are known to tolerate very acidic conditions, the fibrous Rhizophora and Nypa soils should not be drained for cultivation.     

Effect of tillage treatments upon soil tests for soil acidity,soil phosphorus and soil potassium at three soil depths

Abstract

Soil samples were obtained at 0–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 0–9 inch depths from experimental plots receiving five tillage treatments. Each of two samplers composited approximately six one‐inch cores from each plot. Soil samples were analyzed for acidity, P and K using routine analysis procedures in the University of Illinois Soil Testing Laboratory.

Few significant differences were attributed to sampler and it was concluded that samplers using similar sampling techniques were obtaining soil samples from the same population.

No significant differences in soil acidity at different depths were observed. The different tillage methods did significantly affect soil P at the 0–3 inch depth, but had no significant effect on soil P at deeper depths. Different tillage methods also significantly affected soil K values at different depths.     

Changes in soil chemistry associated with the establishment of forest gardens on eroded,acidified grassland soils in Sri Lanka

Topsoil properties were determined in forest gardens established about 20 years ago on eroded grassland soils (abandoned tea lands) in the wet zone of the Sri Lankan highlands. They were compared with adjacent, eroded grasslands (abandoned tea lands) on strongly weathered soils vs soils at earlier stages of pedogenic development in a two-way analysis of variance. Soil pH in forest gardens was, on average, 6.1, nearly one unit higher than in the adjacent grasslands. In the garden soils, the cation exchange capacity (CEC measured at pH 4.8) was nearly double, exchangeable calcium concentrations five times and exchangeable magnesium three times as high as in the grasslands soils. Total soil N content was found to be nearly 40% higher in the gardens. Topsoil gravel contents in the gardens were less than half as high as in the grasslands. The increases in exchangeable bases and N in gardens, relative to grasslands, were attributed to increased nutrient retention and acquisition. Higher retention was partly due to the higher CEC_pH4.8, and probably to reduced erosion and increased, continuous fine root density in the garden topsoils. Higher field CEC in gardens was likely to result from generally higher C contents and from the reversal of acidification, presumably caused by base accumulation and decomposition processes. Our results suggest that forest garden establishment on degraded grasslands can lead to accumulation of mobile nutrients in the topsoil, probably due to increased nutrient retention, subsoil uptake and litter input exceeding nutrient uptake by the standing biomass.     

近40年来陕西省耕层土壤pH的时空变化特征

以陕西省耕层土壤为研究对象,利用1980s第2次土壤普查数据和2017年的705个样点分析数据,基于地统计学和ArcGIS分析耕层土壤pH时空变化特征,并采用相关分析和方差分析方法探讨其影响因素,对于陕西农业可持续发展及生态环境保护具有极其重要的意义。结果表明,陕北、关中及陕南地区耕层土壤pH均值依次为8.25、7.91、6.25,分别为弱碱性、弱碱性和弱酸性;各行政区耕层土壤pH排列顺序为延安榆林铜川咸阳渭南西安宝鸡商洛安康汉中。时间上,与1980s相比,陕北和关中耕层土壤呈碱化趋势,陕南耕层土壤呈酸化趋势;各行政区除榆林、安康、汉中和商洛耕层土壤呈酸化趋势,其余各市耕层土壤均呈碱化趋势。空间上,陕北和陕南耕层土壤pH拟合的最优半方差函数模型为线性模型,关中耕层土壤pH拟合的最优半方差函数模型为高斯模型,均表现出较强的空间相关性。陕北耕层土壤pH空间分布呈零星斑状特征,关中和陕南耕层土壤pH空间分布呈东部高于西部特征。坡向、海拔与陕西省耕层土壤pH显著相关,坡度越小,海拔越高,pH越大,不同类型的土壤pH存在差异。建议陕北和关中地区防治土壤盐碱化问题,陕南地区防治土壤酸化问题,以促进农业可持续发展和保障区域粮食安全。     

Changes in soil pH due to the storage of soils

Abstract. The pH of soil samples was remeasured after storage for 20 years in the laboratory. The pH decreases were minor in acid to neutral soils (-0.3), but greater in alkaline soils (-0.63). The pH differences were statistically significant only for alkaline soils. The decreases of pH with time are probably mainly due to the decomposition of organic matter, the CO₂ produced, the hydroscopic water and the presence of CaCO₃.     

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.     

Comparison of effects of phosphorus sources on soil acidity,available phosphorus and maize yields at two sites in western Kenya

The effects of farmyard manure (FYM), Tithonia diversifolia (tithonia) and urea when applied alone or in combination with Minjingu phosphate rock (MPR), Busumbu phosphate rock (BPR) or triple superphosphate (TSP) on soil acidity, P availability, maize yields and financial benefits were evaluated at Bukura and Kakamega in western Kenya. A reduction in exchangeable acidity and Al was observed in most tithonia- and FYM-treated soils, but not with inorganic P sources when applied in combination with urea. The effectiveness in increasing available soil P followed the order; TSP > MPR > BPR among inorganic P sources, and FYM > tithonia among organic materials at both sites. At Bukura, a site higher in both available P and Al saturation compared with Kakamega, maize did not respond to inorganic P sources applied in combination with urea. Maize, however, responded when inorganic P sources were applied in combination with FYM or tithonia at this site. At Kakamega, maize responded to TSP but not to MPR or BPR when applied with urea. Application of TSP in combination with tithonia gave the highest maize yields at both sites. Of the tested technologies, only FYM when applied alone at Bukura was economically attractive.     

A comparison of soil liming requirement methodologies in temperate,Northern European pedo-climates

Background

Liming agricultural land is essential to optimise crop yield and soil nutrients. Despite the importance of pH management in agricultural soils, liming applications have been decreasing in the United Kingdom for decades. There is no comparison of contemporary and historical liming requirement (LR) methods for Northern European, temperate climate mineral soils high in organic matter (OM).

Aims

The aims of this research were to thoroughly comparatively analyse current methodologies and to ascertain which soil characteristics contribute to LR reactions.

Methods

Analysis compared methods for determining liming values common in the United Kingdom (Scottish Agricultural College [SAC] look-up chart, RothLime model), Europe and the United States (Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt, Sikora, Modified Mehlich buffers), and the 30-min calcium hydroxide titration developed by the University of Georgia.

Results

RothLime and SAC highly underestimated the LR value in acidic soils. The buffers highly over or underestimated LRs. The UGA titration method is a cheap, easy and accurate method which could be utilised for high OM soils but requires further calculation development. The characteristics most associated with soil–lime reactions in this experiment were measures of exchangeability (cation exchange capacity and loss on ignition, and by proxy, lime buffering capacity).

Conclusions

There is an opportunity to create buffer calculators and titration equations adapted to high OM soils. These are suggested for further development, through a larger diversity of UK soil types grouped by buffering capacity ranges. Including soil exchangeability factors in lime management calculations may contribute to more accurate values and therefore better resource management. Increasing LR accuracy for site-specific soil pH management, used in precision agriculture technologies, is a necessary tool for the conservation of natural resources like limestone, managing resource use efficiency, and for optimising yields.     

Soil erosion from a single rainstorm over an area in East Lothian, Scotland

Abstract. An area of about 24 km² in arable East Lothian, Scotland, was examined for soil erosion by water following a severe rainstorm in October 1990. Significant erosion was found in only 10 fields out of 26.5 in an area where topography, soils and cropping suggest a high erosion risk. Doubt is cast on some assessments of the widespread risk of significant soil erosion by water in arable areas of the UK.     

Effects of reduced atmospheric deposition on soil solution chemistry and elemental contents of spruce needles in NE—Bavaria,Germany

The decrease in anthropogenic deposition, namely SO₄^2— and SO₂, in European forest ecosystems during the last 20 years has raised questions concerning the recovery of forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the long term data of element concentrations at the Fichtelgebirge (NE‐Bavaria, Germany) monitoring site indicates a relationship between the nutrient content of needles and the state of soil solution acidity. The soil at the site is very acidic and has relatively small pools of exchangeable Ca and Mg. The trees show medium to severe nutrient deficiency symptoms such as needle loss and needle yellowing. The Ca and Mg concentrations in throughfall decreased significantly during the last 12 years parallel to the significant decline in the throughfall of H⁺ and SO₄^2— concentrations. Soil solution concentrations of SO₄^2—, Ca and Mg generally decreased while the pH value remained stable. Aluminum concentrations decreased slightly, but only at a depth of 90 cm. Simultaneously a decrease in the molar Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios in the soil solution was observed. Ca and Mg contents in the spruce needles decreased, emphasizing the relevance of soil solution changes for tree nutrition. The reasons for the delay in ecosystem recovery are due to a combination of the following two factors: (1) the continued high concentrations of NO₃^— and SO₄^2— in the soil solution leading to high Al concentrations and low pH values and, (2) the decreased rates of Ca and Mg deposition cause a correlated decrease in the concentration of Ca and Mg in the soil solution, since little Ca and Mg is present in the soil's exchangeable cation pools. It is our conclusion that detrimental soil conditions with respect to Mg and Ca nutrition as well as to Al stress are not easily reversed by the decreasing deposition of H⁺ and SO₄^2—. Thus, forest management is still confronted with the necessity of frequent liming to counteract the nutrient depletion in soils and subsequent nutrient deficiencies in trees.     

石灰对酸化黄壤整治烟田土壤酸度的影响及其应用效果

采用室内培养试验和田间试验相结合的方法,研究土壤酸度对石灰施用量的动态响应规律,以及石灰施用量对烤烟农艺性状及经济性状的影响。结果表明：酸化黄壤在室内培养环境下对石灰的响应可分为3个阶段,即快速变化阶段,土壤pH值急剧升高,持续时间较短;缓慢变化阶段,土壤pH值的变化速度以及持续时间受石灰施用量的影响,石灰施用量低于3.00 t/hm2时该阶段持续时间约60 d,石灰施用量高于4.50 t/hm2时该阶段持续时间为15~30 d;稳定阶段,石灰施用量与土壤pH值间呈显著的非线性正相关关系。田间试验研究表明,土壤pH值随石灰施用量的变化规律基本与室内试验研究结果相吻合。综合石灰施用量对烤烟影响发现,在pH值为5.0左右的酸性黄壤整治烟田中,推荐提前移栽期60 d向烟田垄体中施入1.50 t/hm2的石灰以矫正土壤酸度,促进烤烟生产。     

湖南烟区土壤pH分布特点及其与土壤养分的关系

测试分析了湖南烟区1089个土壤样本的pH,并分析了其与土壤养分的关系。结果表明：湖南烟区土壤pH总体适宜,平均为6．52,变异系数为16．81％;pH处于最适宜烤烟生长的5．5～6．5间的土壤样本占总样本数的26．91％;pH处于适宜烤烟生长的5．0～7．0间的土壤样本占52．71％。湖南不同烟区土壤pH大小表现为：湘南〉湘北〉湘西〉湘东;烟区不同土壤类型pH大小表现为：鸭屎泥〉黄壤土〉青泥田〉黄灰土〉黄泥田〉红黄泥。土壤pH与土壤有机质、全氮、速效磷、速效钾、有效锌、有效铁、水溶性氯、交换性钙和交换性镁的相关性均达1％极显著水平。土壤pH分组后,土壤养分含量在组间存在极显著差异。湖南烟区pH在5．5～6．5间的土壤的有机质、全氮、速效磷、有效锌和水溶性氯含量能够满足优质烤烟生长需求,有效锰、有效铁、交换性钙和交换性镁含量能满足烤烟的正常生长需求,有效钾和有效铜含量偏低,但尚未引起烤烟的缺素症状。