AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SOIL ACIDITY PROBLEM IN ALBERTA AND NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. PENNEY ◽  
M. NYBORG ◽  
P. B. HOYT ◽  
W. A. RICE ◽  
B. SIEMENS ◽  
...  

The amount of cultivated acid soil in Alberta and northeastern British Columbia was estimated from pH values of farm samples analyzed by the Alberta Soil Testing Laboratory, and the effect of soil acidity on crops was assessed from field experiments on 28 typical acid soils. The field experiments consisted of two cultivars of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and one cultivar each of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown with and without lime for 2 yr. There are about 30,000 ha of soils with a pH of 5.0 or less where soil acidity seriously restricts yields of all four crop species. There are approximately 300,000 ha with a soil pH of 5.1–5.5 where liming will on the average increase yields of alfalfa by 100%, yields of barley by 10–15%, and yields of rapeseed and red clover by 5–10%. There are a further 1,600,000 ha where soil pH ranges from 5.6 to 6.0 and liming will increase yields of alfalfa by approximately 50% and yields of barley, rapeseed and red clover by at least 4–5%.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. RICE ◽  
D. C. PENNEY ◽  
M. NYBORG

The effects of soil acidity on nitrogen fixation by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were investigated in field experiments at 28 locations, and in greenhouse experiments using soils from these locations. The pH of the soils (limed and unlimed) varied from 4.5 to 7.2. Rhizobia populations in the soil, nodulation, and relative forage yields (yield without N/yield with N) were measured in both the field and greenhouse experiments. Rhizobium meliloti numbers, nodulation scores, and relative yields of alfalfa decreased sharply as the pH of the soils decreased below 6.0. For soils with pH 6.0 or greater, there was very little effect of pH on any of the above factors for alfalfa. Soil pH in the range studied had no effect on nodulation scores and relative yields of red clover. However, R. trifolii numbers were reduced when the pH of the soil was less than 4.9. These results demonstrate that hydrogen ion concentration is an important factor limiting alfalfa growth on acid soils of Alberta and northeastern British Columbia, but it is less important for red clover. This supports the continued use of measurements of soil pH, as well as plant-available Al and Mn for predicting crop response to lime.



1991 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Bache ◽  
J. A. M. Ross

SUMMARYSoil chemistry in relation to yield of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare, cv. Golden Promise) was investigated in three field experiments in north-east Scotland in 1982. Previous treatments had produced a range of soil pH values from 4·0 to 6·0 (measured in 10mM-CaCl2 solution). The experiments demonstrated the values for soil acidity components below which yields were reduced. Large additions of phosphate fertilizer allowed barley to withstand larger concentrations of soluble and exchangeable aluminium (the principal acid soil toxin), thus decreasing the critical soil pH from 5·2 to 4·8 (corresponding to about 5·9 and 5·5 if measured in a water suspension), and increasing the critical soluble Al concentration from 10 to 50 UM and the critical Al saturation of the cationexchange complex from 0·025 to 0·1.



1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 629 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lemerle ◽  
AR Leys ◽  
CR Kidd ◽  
BR Cullis

The effects of soil pH and seasonal conditions on the responses of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to chlorsulfuron were investigated at 3 sites in southern New South Wales in 1986, 1987 and 1988. The sites varied in soil pH (4.3-6.2) and annual rainfall (360-560 mm). In addition to the variation in soil pH between sites, 2 surface pH levels were obtained at each site by the addition of lime. The effect of post-emergence applications of 7.5, 15.0, 22.5, 30.0 and 37.5 g a.i./ha chlorsulfuron on the yield of weed-free barley and wheat varied with season, site and the addition of lime. The yield reduction was greatest in 1986, and the extent of the reduction was always greater in barley than wheat. In 1986, a recommended rate of chlorsulfuron (15 g a.i./ha) significantly (P<0.05) reduced the grain yield of barley at all sites by up to 18% and of wheat by up to 13%. Therefore, the reduced tolerance of barley and wheat to chlorsulfuron in some seasons was not restricted to the acid soils. Significant lime x chlorsulfuron interactions occurred with barley in 3 of the 9 trials, but the interactions were not consistent. At Ariah Park in 1986, grain yield reductions were greatest in unamended soils, while at both Ariah Park and Goolgowi in 1987, grain yield reductions were greatest with the limed plots. There were no significant interactions for wheat. In pot trials the effect of chlorsulfuron on the shoot dry weight of barley varied with soil type. However, there was no direct relationship between soil pH and dry weight reduction. When the pH of an acid soil was amended by liming to give soils with pH of 4.1-7.3, there was a trend to more damage at pH values of 5-6. With 4 soils of different pH and texture, there was less damage in the barley grown in soils of pH 7.3 and 7.4 than in soils of pH 4.1 and 6.0. While these results suggest that soil pH affects the tolerance of barley to chlorsulfuron, it is likely that soil pH is of less importance than other edaphic or climatic factors.



1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Robson ◽  
JF Loneragan

On a moderately acid soil (pH 4.6 in 115 suspension of soil in 0.01M calcium chloride), nodulation of Medicago truncatula cv. Cyprus responded markedly to increasing applications of calcium carbonate, which increased soil pH. Since the effect of increasing soil pH on the percentage nodulation could be replaced to a large extent by increasing the inoculation level, it appeared that nodulation was restricted by the inability of Rhizobium meliloti to survive or multiply in the acid soil. The growth of R, meliloti appeared more sensitive to soil acidity than growth of the host plant of annual Medicago species. It is suggested that more acid-tolerant strains of R. meliloti would permit annual Medicago species to be grown successfully on moderately acid soils, thus extending the range of soils suitable for the growth of these species.



1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
UMESH C. GUPTA ◽  
K. A. WINTER ◽  
K. B. McRAE

Two separate field experiments were conducted on several crops to determine the effect of selenium (Se) applied to soils with pH levels between 5.7 and 6.6. Tissue Se levels after a single application of Se and lime, were monitored for up to six cropping years or until the tissue Se fell below 0.1 ppm, the level considered to be necessary for animal nutrition. For applications of 1.12 and 2.24 kg Se/ha, the minimal tissue Se concentration (> 0.1 ppm) was maintained in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for two cropping years, but with a very sharp decrease for the first 3 yr. In the case of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), tissue levels greater than 0.1 ppm were maintained for 3 yr at the higher rate of Se without lime and up to 5 yr at high soil pH levels. At the applied rates of 0.28 and 0.56 kg Se/ha, the tissue Se levels above 0.1 ppm in timothy, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were maintained for one and two cropping years, respectively. In spite of the sharp decrease in plant tissue Se levels, little decrease in total soil Se was noted at rates of 1.12 and 2.24 kg Se/ha after successive croppings of barley and timothy. Although not always significant, liming, in general, increased the plant Se concentration. The Se concentration (log ppm) for tissues (or depletion of Se availability) in the Se-applied plots decreased linearly for at least the first three cropping seasons.



Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Renata Dobosz ◽  
Roman Krawczyk

The northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla, is a major pest of many crop species. The objective of the study was to determine how M. hapla population dynamics is affected by two precrops, i.e., Trifolium pratense and Medicago sativa, in three crop durations: one, two and three years of continuous cultivation. Moreover, we set ourselves the task of evaluating the effect of the legume precrop soil on the growth of the succeeding tomato plant (Solanum lycopersicum) and on the nematode population. The experiment was performed outdoors in pots with naturally infected soil. Both precrop species investigated were found to modify the J2 nematode population density in the soil. The galls and nematode females with egg masses were observed on the roots of both studied plant species at the end of each growing season. They appeared to be more abundant on the red clover roots than on those of the alfalfa. The obtained data indicate that the spring soil sampling is more appropriate for the estimation of the M. hapla population density in the red clover precrop soil. The legume precrop soil had a limiting effect on tomato growth and fruit yield. The nematode population negatively influenced tomato growth. The experiment revealed that tomato plants could be planted in alfalfa precrop soil following at least three years of continuous alfalfa cultivation. The same cannot be said of the cultivation of red clover as a precrop for tomatoes.



2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 554-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivera STAJKOVIC-SRBINOVIC ◽  
Dušica DELIC ◽  
Nataša RASULIC ◽  
Dragan CAKMAK ◽  
Djordje KUZMANOVIC ◽  
...  

In the present study the effects of Rhizobium inoculation and lime application on the mineral composition (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B) of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), in very acid soil were evaluated. Inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii significantly increased shoot dry weight (SDW) of red clover plants (three times greater), as well as N, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu contents in plants compared to the control. Application of lime and Rhizobium together, depending on the lime rate (3, 6 or 9 t ha-1 of lime) and the cut, increased SDW significantly, but decreased the contents of N, P, K, Mg, Mn, Zn and B in plants. Regardless of the changes, in all treatments in both cuts, contents of N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn in plants were among sufficiency levels (Mg content was elevated in the second cut), while Fe content was mainly high, as well as Cu (in the second cut). Contents of P and B in plants were somewhat lower than sufficiency levels, but above critical level. Therefore, red clover can be grown with satisfactory yield and mineral composition in acid soil with Rhizobium inoculation only, but the application of P and B fertilization is desirable.



Soil Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Scanlan ◽  
Ross F. Brennan ◽  
Mario F. D'Antuono ◽  
Gavin A. Sarre

Interactions between soil pH and phosphorus (P) for plant growth have been widely reported; however, most studies have been based on pasture species, and the agronomic importance of this interaction for acid-tolerant wheat in soils with near-sufficient levels of fertility is unclear. We conducted field experiments with wheat at two sites with acid soils where lime treatments that had been applied in the 6 years preceding the experiments caused significant changes to soil pH, extractable aluminium (Al), soil nutrients and exchangeable cations. Soil pH(CaCl2) at 0–10cm was 4.7 without lime and 6.2 with lime at Merredin, and 4.7 without lime and 6.5 with lime at Wongan Hills. A significant lime×P interaction (P<0.05) for grain yield was observed at both sites. At Merredin, this interaction was negative, i.e. the combined effect of soil pH and P was less than their additive effect; the difference between the dose–response curves without lime and with lime was greatest at 0kgPha–1 and the curves converged at 32kgPha–1. At Wongan Hills, the interaction was positive (combined effect greater than the additive effect), and lime application reduced grain yield. The lime×P interactions observed are agronomically important because different fertiliser P levels were required to maximise grain yield. A lime-induced reduction in Al phytotoxicity was the dominant mechanism for this interaction at Merredin. The negative grain yield response to lime at Wongan Hills was attributed to a combination of marginal soil potassium (K) supply and lime-induced reduction in soil K availability.



2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Mesfin Kassa Cholbe ◽  
Fassil Kebede Yeme ◽  
Wassie Haile Woldeyohannes

Information on soil fertility status of acid soil of a particular area as affected by land use type is important for developing sound soil management systems for improved and sustainable agricultural productivity. The main objective of this study was to assess the fertility status and effect of land use change on soil physicochemical properties. In this study, adjacent three land use types, namely, enset-coffee, crop, and grazing land use were considered in four districts (i.e., Bolos Sore, Damot Gale, Damot Sore, and Sodo Zuria) of Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from a depth of 0–20 cm from each land use type of the respective districts for physicochemical analyses. The results showed that land use types significantly affected ( P ≤ 0.05 ) soil properties such as bulk density, available P, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable acidity, exchangeable bases (Na, K, Ca, Mg), exchangeable acidity, and CEC. Besides, soil pH, OC, and TN were influenced significantly ( P ≤ 0.05 ) both by districts and land use types. The very strongly acidic soils were found predominantly in the crop and grazing lands whereas a neutral acidity level was found in the enset-coffee land use type of four districts. In conclusion, the study proves that land use type change within the same geographic setting can affect the severity of soil acidity due to over cultivation and rapid organic matter decomposition. Finally, the study recommends an in-depth study and analysis on the root causes in aggravating soil acidity under crop and grazing land use types.



1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. D. WEBBER ◽  
DIANE CORNEAU ◽  
P. B. HOYT ◽  
M. NYBORG

Several laboratory methods for estimating lime requirements of acid soils were compared using 24 soils from Alberta and northeastern British Columbia and 15 from elsewhere in Canada. The Peech, Schofield, Woodruff and SMP (Shoemaker et al. 1971) buffer methods were equally well correlated with lime requirements for raising soil pH to 5.5 or 6, which in turn were highly correlated with the amounts of soluble and exchangeable Al and organic matter in the soils. The SMP buffer method is recommended for use as the diagnostic index of lime requirement to achieve pH 5.5 or 6 because of its speed and simplicity. A refinement is suggested for Alberta and northeastern B.C. soils on the basis that lime need not be added to achieve pH 5.5 but should be added to reduce Al below the toxic level for sensitive crops. The lime requirements to reduce Al in those soils were highly correlated with the amounts of 0.02 M CaCl2-soluble Al they contained and it is recommended that the 0.02 M CaCl2-soluble AI be used as the diagnostic index of lime requirement. Lime requirements related to SMP (pH) and 0.02 M CaCl2-soluble Al are presented.



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