Persistent improvements in the structure and hydraulic conductivity of a Ferrosol due to liming

Abstract

Changes in the soil structure and hydraulic conductivity of an Acidic Red Ferrosol were measured in a long-term (1968–2003) fertiliser experiment on pasture in north-western Tasmania, Australia. Studies were initiated following observations of both softer soil surface and cracking on plots that had received 15 t/ha of ground agricultural limestone. Liming decreased penetration resistance and increased hydraulic conductivity. These structural improvements were associated with increased mean dry aggregate size, a small increase in wet aggregate stability, higher exchangeable calcium levels, and increased plant growth, but a 9% decrease in total soil organic carbon in the surface 50 mm. This decrease in organic carbon was not associated with deterioration in soil structure, as may have been anticipated. This was probably because total organic C was still 82 g/kg on unlimed plots. Decreases in soil penetration resistance due to liming increased the likelihood of pugging from livestock but may improve ease of tillage. This research demonstrates that liming can improve the structure of a well-aggregated Ferrosol as well as its previously reported effects of increasing soil pH and yields of pasture and barley despite decreasing organic C.

Soil acidification and the importance of liming agricultural soils with particular reference to the United Kingdom

“…Because of the beneficial influence of lime on soil structure, there has been much research on the use of lime and other acid‐neutralizing materials for improving degraded soils, especially in arid and semi‐arid countries, for example Kirkham et al . (). Bennett et al .…”

“…Liming also increases earthworm activity and therefore macroporosity . Because of the beneficial influence of lime on soil structure, there has been much research on the use of lime and other acid-neutralizing materials for improving degraded soils, especially in arid and semi-arid countries, for example Kirkham et al (2007). Bennett et al (2014) found that lime applied at 5 t/ha was still improving aggregate stability, hydraulic conductivity, vegetation cover, total C and N and soil respiration 12 years after application.…”

Soil characteristics and tillage can predict the effect of ‘structure lime’ on soil aggregate stability

“…Liming also affects soil physical conditions in clay soils (Holland et al 2018) with different soil physical changes reported in the literature. Agricultural lime (CaCO 3 ) has been found to decrease bulk density and increase pore continuity (Frank et al 2020), and has also been found to decrease soil penetration resistance and increase hydraulic conductivity (Kirkham et al 2007). However, Frank et al (2019) found that soil physical improvements, such as increased plant-available water capacity, recorded 6 months after liming were absent 12 months after liming, when the soil structure collapsed after soil tillage by ploughing and chiselling.…”

Impact of climatic and soil conditions on environmental fate of atrazine used under plantation forestry in Australia

“…Toolara site was particularly prone to leaching due to sandy nature of soil, whereas the Imbil and Highclere sites have high permeability due to a stable structure and the aggregated nature of the kurosol and ferrosol (Kirkham et al, 2007), respectively. At Toolara, atrazine was detected in a perched water table at 1.6e1.8 m depth collected in a piezometer at the site.…”