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Tillage conservation practices (CA), traditional agriculture (TA), and liming influence soil properties and crop yield. However, it is essential to demonstrate which tillage and liming practices improve soil properties and forage corn yield. This study compared soil properties and forage corn production in two tillage systems with the addition of dolomite and lime, which formed four treatments. The tillage in the first three days surpassed the TA soil CO2 emission, with 64.8% more CO2 than in the CA soil, and the TA hydraulic conductivity and bulk density were more suitable than those in the CA soil. The CA soil had 233 earthworms m−2 more than in TA. The TA green forage corn yielded 6.45 t ha−1 more than in CA, with a higher P, Ca, and Mg foliar content than in CA, but in the CA, the foliar N and K were higher than in TA. The liming increased soil cations (except K), highlighting the lime on dolomite with—52% Al and + 4.85 t ha−1 of forage corn compared to the control. Soil CO2 emission was far lower in CA than in TA, with a slightly lower forage yield, and other soil properties were improved, meaning lower land preparation costs and time savings than in TA. Lime improved acidic soil faster than dolomite, generating higher forage yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lime application combined with complementary sustainable management practices increases crop yields, but liming is only modestly applied in Serbia. This study investigated the influence of liming (1000 kg/ha) combined with the common application of mineral fertilizers on maize yield and the chemical properties of pseudogley soil. The experiment was conducted near Kraljevo, Western Serbia, on the maize hybrid ZP 606 sown in a two-year monoculture. The experiment had three treatments: fertilizer, fertilizer + lime, and a control treatment. The soil is acid, poor in humus, and contains an increased content of mobile aluminum. There was a significant increase in yield under the fertilizer and lime + fertilizer treatments, compared to the control. The yield of maize in the limed treatment was 4.4–9% higher than in the fertilizer treatment. The positive effects of liming on soil are related to an increase in pH, base saturation, and available phosphorus, and a decrease in available aluminum. In the fertilizer treatment, there was a small decrease in pH and base saturation, whereas the amount of aluminum remained high, indicating that the further application of fertilizers without lime can increase aluminum content and foster its toxicity. The long-term sustainability of maize production in Serbia should include liming as a regular management practice on pseudogley soil, with the utilization of smaller doses of lime because of the potential CO2 effects. To improve soil health, food, and environmental security, and to incorporate new crops, developing a framework promoting liming as a sustainable management practice is of high importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of new technologies to monitor and evaluate the management of coffee crops allowed for a significant increase in productivity. Precision coffee farming has leveraged the development of this commodity by using remote sensing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). However, the success of coffee farming in the country also resulted from management practices, including liming management in the soils. This study aimed to evaluate the response of coffee seedlings transplanted to areas subjected to deep liming in comparison to conventional (surface) liming, using vegetation indices (VIs) generated by multispectral images acquired using UAVs. The study area was overflown bimonthly by UAVs to measure the plant height, crown diameter, and chlorophyll content in the field. The VIs were generated and compared with the data measured in the field using linear time graphs and a correlation analysis. Linear regression was performed to predict the biophysical parameters as a function of the VIs. A significant difference was found only in the chlorophyll content. Most indices were correlated with the biophysical parameters, particularly the green chlorophyll index (GCI) and the canopy area calculated via vectorization. Therefore, UAVs proved to be effective coffee monitoring tools and can be recommended for coffee producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elevated accumulation of cadmium (Cd) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and tea (Camellia sinensis L.) grown in agricultural soils may lead to a variety of adverse health effects. This study collected and analyzed crop samples along with paired rhizosphere soil samples from 61 sites in Cd-contaminated regions in Anhui Province, China. The findings revealed that both the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) and soil solution were capable of effectively predicting Cd contents in crops. Conventional chemical extraction methods were inappropriate to evaluate the bioavailability of Cd. However, the effective concentrations (CE) corrected by the DGT-induced fluxes in soils (DIFS) model exhibited the strongest correlation with crop Cd contents. Except for CE, various measurement methods yielded better results for predicting Cd bioavailability in tea compared to rice. Pearson's correlation analysis and the random forest (RF) model identified the key influencing factors controlling Cd uptake by rice and tea, including pH, soil texture, and contents of zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in soils, which antagonize Cd. To reduce the potential health risk from rice and tea, the application of soil liming and/or Se-oxidizing bacteria was expected to be an effective management strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modelling the lime requirement (LR) is a fast and efficient way to determine the amount of lime required to obtain a pH that can overcome the adverse effects caused by soil acidification. This study aimed to model the LR based on the properties of soil and lime. A total of 17 acidic soils and 39 lime samples underwent soil–lime incubation in the laboratory. The predictive equations for the LR (t ha−1) were modelled using ∆pH (the difference between the target pH and initial pH), the neutralizing value (NV, mmol kg−1) of lime, soil pH, soil clay content (%), soil bulk density (BD, g cm−3), and the depth of soil (h, cm) as the factors in an exponential equation. The generic predictive equation, L R = ∆ p H × e − 3.88 − 0.069 × N V + 0.51 × p H + 0.025 × C l a y × B D × h , was validated as the most reliable model under field conditions. Simplified predictive equations for different soil textures when limed with quicklime and limestone are also provided. Furthermore, the LR proportions provided by hydrated lime, quicklime, limestone, and dolomite in commercially available lime can be expressed as 0.58:0.64:0.97:1.00. This study provides a novel and robust model for predicting the amount of lime product containing components with different neutralizing abilities that are required to neutralize soils with a wide range of properties. It is of great significance to agronomic activities and soil remediation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a growing threat to rice production in acidic paddies. In south China, a common agricultural practice involves the combined utilization of Chinese milk vetch (M) and rice straw (R). However, it is unclear how the addition of lime to these amendments affects Cd bioavailability and accumulation in soil. Control (CK), chemical fertilizer (F), Chinese milk vetch + rice straw + chemical fertilizer (MRF), and Chinese milk vetch + rice straw + chemical fertilizer + lime (MRFL) treatments were applied to develop a kind of green, efficient, and practical amendment for acidic paddies. We conducted a microplot experiment to explore Cd immobilization in paddy soil and the Cd content in rice grains with these treatments. The results showed that compared with F, the rice Cd in the MRF and MRFL treatments were significantly decreased by 51.7% and 65.2% in early rice and 23.0% and 43.3% in late rice, respectively. Both the MRF and MRFL treatments significantly reduced soil available Cd and weak acid-extractable cadmium (Aci-Cd) concentrations and increased soil organic matter (SOM), exchangeable cation concentrations, and pH, which converted Cd into a stable form in soil. In addition, the MRF and MRFL treatments increased soil pH value by reducing soil exchangeable hydrogen ion concentration (E-H). Additionally, recombination of Cd forms was the primary factor in the reduction in available Cd concentration according to partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) analysis. The Cd concentration of rice grains was primarily associated with soil available Cd, soil pH value, and SOM. Overall, these results provide useful data and novel insights into reducing rice grain Cd in south China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soils of four citrus orchards in western Zhejiang were studied in this research. In order to explore the effects of lime on soil chemical properties and bacterial communities, the incubation experiment was conducted with six different dosages of lime addition, 0, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 7.2 g/kg, respectively. The results showed that soil pH increased significantly (p < 0.05) and the contents of exchangeable acid decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at the early stage of lime application. As time went by, the reacidification existed in the soil of each treatment, mainly reflected in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in soil pH. Liming increased the nitrate nitrogen content and decreased the ammonium nitrogen content in the four soils. However, the responses of other nutrient indexes to lime varied in different soils, which might be due to the different degrees of soil acidification. In general, the addition of lime increased the soil integrated fertility index (IFI) and improved the soil nutrient status. The application of lime under 2.4 g/kg significantly improved the structure of bacterial community and increased the relative abundance of soil bacterial community species, while the application of lime above 4.8 g/kg might inhibit the growth and activity of microorganisms, resulting in the reduction of soil microbial biomass and diversity. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that lime affected the bacterial community mainly by reducing the content of soil active acid and exchangeable acid. At the same time, network analysis showed that the bacterial community had a stronger buffer capacity against external disturbances after lime application. In conclusion, the addition of lime with appropriate amount (2.4~4.8 g/kg, corresponding to a field application rate of 5.8~11.5 t/ha) in acid orchard soil could improve soil properties, soil integrated fertility, and the diversity and stability of the bacterial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions (2–10% of fertiliser N) were observed previously from acid soils cropped with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in Australia. We assessed the impact of lime, a nitrification inhibitor (NI, as 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate, DMPP), and copper (Cu) on N2O emissions from an acid sugarcane soil in a laboratory experiment using (1) urea (U), (2) U + DMPP, (3) U + CuSO4.5H2O (U + Cu), and (4) U + DMPP + Cu. The treatments were applied to both an un-limed soil (pH 5.1) and a limed soil (pH 6.9) and incubated at 25 °C and 55% water holding capacity (WHC) for 28 d, and then increased to 90% WHC for another 8 d to favour denitrification. At 55% WHC, both the addition of the NI (U + DMPP) and the liming of the acid soil significantly decreased cumulative N2O emissions, due to significantly lower net nitrifications. Liming and DMPP decreased N2O emissions by 79% and 90%, respectively. However, where lime and DMPP were applied together, N2O emissions decreased by 94% compared to those in the un-limed (acid) U-treated soil. In contrast, the addition of Cu and the increase in water content to 90% WHC had no significant effect on N2O emissions. Therefore, the combined use of lime and DMPP provides the best option to decrease N2O emissions from the acid soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) toxicity is a widespread problem in lentil production in the coastal dryland of Chile. Increasing the soil pH by liming with CaCO3 or incrementing grain yields through nitrogen fertilization can help the plants to reduce metal concentration. Thus, the main objective of this work was to evaluate two different fertilization strategies (lime (CaCO3) and nitrogen (N) additions) to reduce Fe and Mn toxicities in lentils. Lentils grown under field conditions with the highest Fe and Mn concentrations showed toxicity symptoms, but without grain yield reductions. In a pot experiment using the same soil as in the field with toxicity symptoms, the dry matter (DM) produced at the end of the trial was higher in the plants that received N while the lowest DM production was recorded in those plants treated with lime. In particular, higher root DM sustained the growth of the N-fertilized shoots, which also positively affected the grain yields being 33% higher than the control treatment (no fertilization addition). In the plants fertilized with N, the Fe and Mn levels in the shoots were lower than the control plants and those grown in soils treated with lime, but showed higher concentrations of Fe and Mn in roots. In parallel, roots exhibited high concentrations of Fe and Mn that were 13- and 9-fold higher than in the shoots. Additionally, a significant decrease of 29% in Mn concentration in the grains of plants treated with N was reported. Overall, our results suggest that an increase in DM of lentils by the addition of N can reduce the Mn concentration on leaves to a level that is likely under the threshold that causes toxicity in plant tissues. Finally, we conclude that the increase of Fe and Mn in the roots may be connected to the reduction of these metals on leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar, an ecologically friendly soil amendment, is suggested for large-scale field application for its multiple potential benefits, including carbon sequestration, crop yield improvement, and the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is unknown how effective it is in changing soil properties and its associated yield improvement when biochar is co-applied with lime in acidic soil. Here, we examined the effects of two different biochars, i.e., rice husk biochar (RHB) and oil palm empty fruit bunches biochar (EFBB), and lime on nutrient availability, the yield of maize, and soil CO2 emission of acid soil. Biochars were applied at two different rates (10 and 15 t ha−1) in combination with two rates of lime (100% and 75%), while the recommended rate of NPK fertilizers, 100% lime, and without any amendments (control) were also included. Hybrid sweet corn was grown in pots with 20 kg soils for 75 days. Plant performance and soil analyses were performed before and after crop maize cultivation while CO2 emission was recorded. Compared to the control, combined RHB biochars with lime significantly buffered soil pH and increased nutrient availability (e.g., P by 137%), while reducing Al and Fe concentration at harvest. These changes in soil properties significantly increased maize yield (by 77.59%) and nutrient uptake compared to the control. Between the two biochars, RHB was relatively more effective in making these changes than EFBB. However, this treatment contributed to a greater carbon loss as CO2 (209% and 145% higher with RHB and EFBB) from soil than the control. We believe that biochar-mediated buffering of soil pH is responsible for this change. Our results suggest that combined biochar application could bring desirable changes in soil properties and increase crop performance, although these effects can be short-lived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment with reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was carried out at LAMMC Vėžaičiai Branch (Western Lithuania) in 2010–2016 with the aim to evaluate the impact of liming and nitrogen on grass productivity, biomass chemical content and energetic parameters of the pellets. The site soil is the natural acidic loam Retisol (pH 4.2–4.6). Reed canary grass productivity was significantly affected by the year of growing and nitrogen fertilization. The average annual dry matter (DM) yield varied from 5442 to 11,114 t ha−1. The highest yields were obtained using the annual rate of 120 kg ha−1 N (nitrogen) fertilizers. Soil liming had a negligible effect on biomass productivity. Nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) varied greatly depending on the growing year and N fertilization rate. After analyzing the properties of reed canary grass and wood sawdust granules, it was found that the granules obtained a high density exceeding 1000 kg m−3 DM. The lowest calorific value of reed canary grass pellets was found to be quite high—17.4 MJ kg−1 DM. All harmful emissions did not exceed the permissible values. Summarizing the results, it can be stated that reed canary grass pellets may be recommended for burning in domestic boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper is an element necessary for the proper growth and development of plants, but when taken in excess amounts, it can be toxic. Its availability for plant can be reduced by using organic fertilizers or soil liming. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of increasing doses of copper (100, 200, and 300 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil) application in combination with various organic amendments (cattle manure, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate) on the yield of cocksfoot and its content and uptake of this metal, and to determine its coefficient of bioaccumulation and tolerance indices. The toxic effect of copper manifested by significant decrease in the yield of the test plant was after the application of 300 mg·kg−1 of soil. Increasing doses of copper application increased its content and uptake by the test plant, while observing the decreasing bioaccumulation factor. All the soil amendments reduced the toxic effect of copper on cocksfoot. The most effective organic amendment in terms of yield and protective effects against high levels of copper was cattle manure, in the case of which the Org/Cu and Cu/Org tolerance indices were highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being a natural soil-forming process, soil acidification is a major agronomic challenge under humid climate conditions, as soil acidity influences several yield-relevant soil properties. It can be counterbalanced by the regular application of agricultural lime to maintain or re-establish soil fertility and to optimize plant growth and yield. To avoid underdose as well as overdose, lime rates need to be calculated carefully. The lime rate should be determined by the optimum soil pH (target pH) and the response of the soil to lime, which is described by the base neutralizing capacity (BNC). Several methods exist to determine the lime requirement (LR) to raise the soil pH to its optimum. They range from extremely time-consuming equilibration methods, which mimic the natural processes in the soil, to quick tests, which rely on some approximations and are designed to provide farmers with timely and cost-efficient data. Due to the higher analytical efforts, only limited information is available on the real BNC of particular soils. In the present paper, we report the BNC of 420 topsoil samples from Central Europe (north-east Germany), developed on sediments from the last ice age 10,000 years ago under Holocene conditions. These soils are predominantly sandy and low in humus, but they exhibit a huge spatial variability in soil properties on a small scale. The BNC was determined by adding various concentrations of Ca(OH)2 and fitting an exponential model to derive a titration curve for each sample. The coefficients of the BNC titration curve were well correlated with soil properties affecting soil acidity and pH buffer capacity, i.e., pH, soil texture and soil organic matter (SOM). From the BNC model, the LRs (LRBNC) were derived and compared with LRVDLUFA based on the standard protocol in Germany as established by the Association of German Agricultural Analytic and Research Institutes (VDLUFA). The LRBNC and LRVDLUFA correlated well but the LRVDLUFA were generally by approximately one order of magnitude higher. This is partly due to the VDLUFA concept to recommend a maintenance or conservation liming, even though the pH value is in the optimum range, to keep it there until the next lime application during the following rotation. Furthermore, the VDLUFA method was primarily developed from field experiments where natural soil acidification and management practices depressed the effect of lime treatment. The BNC method, on the other hand, is solely based on laboratory analysis with standardized soil samples. This indicates the demand for further research to develop a sound scientific algorithm that complements LRBNC with realistic values of annual Ca2+ removal and acidification by natural processes and N fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]