Quicklime application instantly increases soil aggregate stability

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. Agricultural intensification, especially enhanced mechanisation of soil management, can lead to the deterioration of soil structure and to compaction. A possible amelioration strategy is the application of (structural) lime. In this study, we tested the effect of two different liming materials, ie limestone (CaCO 3 ) and quicklime (CaO), on soil aggregate stability in a 3-month greenhouse pot experiment with three agricultural soils. The liming materials were applied in the form of pulverised additives at a rate of 2 000 kg ha -1 . Our results show a significant and instantaneous increase of stable aggregates after quicklime application whereas no effects were observed for limestone. Quicklime application seems to improve aggregate stability more efficiently in soils with high clay content and cation exchange capacity. In conclusion, quicklime application may be a feasible strategy for rapid improvement of aggregate stability of fine textured agricultural soils.

The effect of four calcium‐based amendments on soil aggregate stability of two sandy topsoils

“…Despite this fact, effects of Ca‐based amendments were similar among them. In this aspect, the results of this study coincide with those of Keiblinger et al () who compared CaO versus CaCO 3 , finding that the direct application of CaO was more efficient than that of CaCO 3 in soils. In addition, the weak aggregation response shown by CaCO 3 is also similar to that reported by Chan and Heenan (), who observed a change in the structural stability of the soil only three years after the application of CaCO 3 .…”

“…Keiblinger et al (2016) who compared CaO versus 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.plant-soil.com…”

An improved method for determination of aggregate stability using laser diffraction

“…The aggregate stability of tilled soils can be improved by decreasing the number of tillage operations (Håkansson, 2005), transferring conventionally tilled soils to no-till management (Sheehy, Regina, Alakukku, & Six, 2015), and increased incorporation of crop residues or application of recycled organic matter (Diacono & Montemurro, 2010;Kawamoto, Moldrup, Komatsu, de Jonge, & Oda, 2007) or quicklime (Keiblinger et al, 2016) into the soil. However, the persistence of the effects of these procedures largely depends on soil genesis and associated properties including texture, clay mineralogy, oxide content, and the amount of monovalent versus polyvalent cations (Almajmaie, Hardie, Doyle, Birch, & Acuna, 2017;Portella, Guimarães, Feller, Fonseca, & Filho, 2012).…”

Structural stabilization of soil backfill with quicklime

“…Due to its higher solubility and reactivity with water, quicklime (CaO) can improve soil aggregate stability more rapidly than limestone (Calcite, CaCO 3 ) when applied at the same rate ( Keiblinger et al, ). The released Ca 2+ causes a compression of the electrical double layer around clay particles and thereby encourages flocculation ( Haynes and Naidu , ), whereas the slaked quicklime [Ca(OH) 2 )] promotes the new formation of CaCO 3 ‐bridges between the soil particles, if sufficient CO 2 is provided ( Metelková et al, ).…”

“…Additionally, the elevated soil pH induces the dissolution of the silica and alumina in the clay minerals, which in combination with the improved Ca 2+ supply leads to the formation of insoluble cementing phases, e.g ., calcium silicate hydrates and calcium aluminate hydrates ( Al‐Mukhtar et al, ), on the surfaces of soil particles, creating solid bonds between them ( Bérubé et al, ). The generated cementations between soil particles increase mechanical stability of aggregates ( Chaplain et al, ; Keiblinger et al, ) and shear strength ( Rajasekaran and Rao , ; Cheng et al, ), while the compressibility is reduced ( Cuisinier et al, ). As a result of these processes, the permeability of the pore system increases and water, gas, and heat fluxes are enhanced ( Rajasekaran and Rao , ; Ma et al, ).…”