Case Study of the Effects of Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization on Active and Reserve Soil Acidity

Excessive soil acidity and low soil pH may liberate plant toxic levels of manganese and aluminum from soil minerals, and interfere with nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Active soil acidity is measured as soil pH and reacts quickly in the soil-plant system. Potential or reserve acidity is inactive in the soil, and acts as a source of replenishment for active acidity. Studies to determine the effect of ammoniacal-nitrogen fertilizer treatments and irrigation methods on plant growth and development of cotton, and changes in soil properties were conducted. Nitrogen treatments ranged from 0 to 168.0 kg N/ha in 33.6-kg N/ha increments. Soil samples from each N-treatment from both irrigation blocks were analyzed for active and potential acidity. Irrigation water high in Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and HCO^3? tended to raise soil pH. Under dry land conditions ammonical N-fertilizer lowered soil pH. Reserve acidity was larger under dry land conditions than under furrow irrigation. No significant differences in reserve soil acidity were observed under furrow irrigation, or under dry land conditions. Calcium, Na⁺, and HCO^3? content of the irrigation water were driving forces to reduce both active and potential soil acidity. Fertilization with ammoniacal-nitrogen sources was the driving force in increasing active and potential soil acidity.