Changes in soil pH as a result of lime addition as affected by rates, time and incorporation method

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2010

Conference Title

2010 19th World Congress of Soil Science, Soil Solutions for a Changing World

Place of Publication

Brisbane

Keywords

Acidification, Limesand, Application methods, Amelioration

Disciplines

Agribusiness | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Mineral Physics | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Organic Chemistry | Physical Chemistry | Soil Science

Abstract

Symposium 3.1.2 Farm systems and environment impacts

The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).

Sandplain soils on the south coast of Western Australia are naturally acidic. Cropping systems can further reduce soil pH by as much as 0.3 pH units in seven years. A series of experiments were established to determine the effects of lime addition on soil pH within the root zone. Lime applied at rates ranging from 0.5 to 8.6 t/ha resulted in significant increases in topsoil pH. Only the highest rates of lime (> 1.5 t/ha) resulted in pH increases beyond 15 cm depth seven years after application. Only systems that incorporated lime at depth and or mixed soils to depth through slotting/trenching resulted in significant crop yields and soil pH increases within the root zone (0 - 60 cm) immediately after being applied. The resultant crop yields where subsoils pH was modified were as much as 80% higher than the control.

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