Coniferous afforestation leads to soil acidification in central Ontario

1986 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1389-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
David G. Brand ◽  
Paul Kehoe ◽  
Maureen Connors
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Abandoned Farmland ◽  
Degree Of Acidification ◽  
Coniferous Plantations

The soil pH under 20 coniferous plantations on abandoned farmland at the Petawawa National Forestry Institute was remeasured after 46 years and showed a significant decrease. Soils under white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss) showed the greatest degree of acidification, with the average pH in 13 plantations decreasing by 1.28.

The influence of Pinus radiata, Quercus suber, and improved pasture on soil chemical properties

Soil Research ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Noble ◽  
I. P. Little ◽  
P. J. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Pinus Radiata ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Radiata Pine ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soil Chemical Properties ◽  
Permanent Pasture

Soil acidification and related land degradation issues are assuming increasing importance in Australia and challenging the concept of sustainability of current land management systems. In this study, the impacts of tree plantations of 2 species and permanent pasture on soil chemical properties are compared. Soil samples were collected from the top 50 cm (0–5, 5–10, 10–15, 15–20, 20–30, and 30–50 cm depths) from 3 adjacent sites carrying pasture and monocultures of Pinus radiata (radiata pine) and Quercus suber (cork oak) on a deep-surfaced yellow podzolic soil, and differences in soil pH and other soil chemical properties were examined. In the surface 0–5 cm, pH was similar at all 3 sites. Below that depth, soil pH was significantly lower and exchangeable Al greater under the cork oak stand than at the other 2 sites. Consistent with a decrease in soil pH there was significantly less exchangeable Ca under cork oak. Also, less clay was observed under the cork oak stand and this is taken as evidence of the degradational impact of soil acidification. An estimate of Ca in the top 50 cm of the soil implies considerable loss of Ca under oak, probably by leaching and loss of litter down the slope. Evidence is presented to show that there has been more Fe and Al movement under oak than under pasture and pine, this being ascribed in part to the greater Al and Fe mobilising capacity of the water-soluble component extracted from freshly fallen leaf litter of oak. The Fe and Al composition of the oxalate extract from concretionary material at 10–30 cm under oak is consistent with a process similar to podzolisation. Pseudogleying of Fe and Al may have accompanied the leaching of bases from the system and a reduction of pH.

Long-term acidification of a Brazilian Acrisol as affected by no till cropping systems and nitrogen fertiliser

Soil Research ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. B. Vieira ◽  
C. Bayer ◽  
J. Mielniczuk ◽  
J. Zanatta ◽  
C. A. Bissani
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
No Till ◽  
Leguminous Species ◽  
Exchangeable Al ◽  
C Cycle

Cropping systems and N fertilisation affect soil acidification mainly due to the removal of alkaline plant material from the field and nitrate leaching. The study evaluated the acidification of a subtropical soil under no till cropping systems with different C and N addition rates for 19 years. The contributions of leguminous and non-leguminous crops (fallow/maize, black oat/maize, black oat + vetch/maize, black oat + vetch/maize + cowpea, lablab + maize, pigeon pea + maize, and digitaria) and mineral N fertiliser (0 and 180 kg N/ha.year as urea) to total acidification were estimated. Cropping systems and N fertilisation significantly affected soil pH, which ranged from 4.3 to 5.1. The presence of leguminous species and mineral N promoted greater decreases in soil pH and net soil acidification, which resulted in increases in exchangeable Al content and Al saturation. Black oat + vetch/maize with N fertilisation promoted the highest soil net acidification rate (2.65 kmol H+/ha.year), while digitaria had the lowest (1.07 kmol H+/ha.year). Leguminous species and N fertilisation increased soil acidification through changes in the C cycle associated with the removal of alkaline plant material by grains. Leguminous-based cropping systems promoted higher maize yields than those comprising essentially gramineous species, indicating an opportunity for a reduction in N fertiliser rates. With N application, however, maize yield did not differ among cropping systems, despite differences in soil pH and exchangeable Al.

Effet du chaulage sur la croissance de l'épinette blanche plantée à Grand'Mère

1979 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Truong Dinh Phu
Keyword(s):  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Amendments ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Hydrated Lime ◽  
Mineral Elements ◽  
Exchangeable Ca

The effect of liming alone or in combination with N, K, and Mg on the growth of white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), on the nutrient status of needles of trees, as well as on the content of mineral elements in the soil, was studied. The study, carried out in 1972, indicated that the soil amendments applied in 1962 at Grand'Mère in a 36-year-old plantation at the rate of 336 kg hydrated lime, 115 kg N, and 93 kg K, with or without 22 kg Mg per hectare, gave significantly higher basal area increments than those in the controls. Without the inclusion of N and K, dolomite or hydrated lime alone or with Mg had no marked beneficial effect on the growth of white spruce 5 or 10 years after treatments. No appreciable residual effect on the nutrient status of needles could be established. However, the amendments had slightly increased the soil pH and the soil content of exchangeable Ca in the treated plots.

Acidification of soil associated with lupins grown in a crop rotation in north-eastern Victoria

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 391 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Coventry ◽  
WJ Slattery
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Rapid Rate ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Initial Ph

Soil pH decline and net acidification inputs were determined for a long-term crop rotation experiment at Rutherglen in north-eastern Victoria. The rotations utilized were continuous wheat (WW), a 1 : 1 wheat-lupin sequence (WL) and continuous lupins (LL), and each rotation was cropped from 1975-1989. The soil at the site had an initial pH (0.01 mol/LCaCl2) of 6.0 (0-10 cm depth), sandy loam texture, and had a past use of grape vines and then lucerne pasture. The soil pH (0-10 cm) declined for each rotation with time (1977/78-1988/89), decreasing by about 0.8 units for WW and further decreasing with the inclusion of lupin in the rotation. Compared with the WW soil, the WL soil pH was 0.7 and 0.4 units lower at 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm depth and the LL soil pH was 1.0 and 0.8 units lower at 5-10 and 10-15 cm depth. There was no difference in pH between WW and WL below 20 cm depth, but the LL soil had a significantly lower pH to 40 cm depth. Acidification rates were calculated for the period of cropping and for the 3 rotations, with rates of 3.22, 4.11 and 5.26 kmols H+/ha.yr as net acid input for WW, WL and LL rotations. These values represent a rapid rate of soil acidification. The removal of alkalinity in grain accounted for between 15-21% of the overall calculated acidification rate for the 3 rotations. Therefore, it is likely in this cropping system that the acidification largely results from progressive nitrate leaching.

scholarly journals Contribution of Eelemental Sulfur to Soil Acidification, Fe Release and Uptake by corn (Zea mays L.)

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Glasshouse Experiment ◽  
Fe Toxicity ◽  
S Application

Abstract—A glasshouse experiment was conducted to elucidate the effectiveness of elemental sulfur as a soil acidulates on solubility of soil Fe and it’s uptake by corn (Zea mays L.). Four rates of elemental sulfur, 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 g S kg-1 soil, incubated for 0, 20 and 40 days before corn plantation. The result showed that with one unit increase in S application rate the soil pH decreased about 1.52 units and the solubility of the Fe was significantly increased. The concentration of Fe in corn leaves and stem were increased with soil acidification from the background of 7.03 to 5.42 due to elemental sulfur application rate of 1 g S kg-1 soil. However, further soil acidification decreased Fe concentration in corn. Overall, application of elemental sulfur at a rate of 0.5 g S kg-1 soil is recommended to enhance corn performance by 45 percent without the risk of Fe toxicity for corn and the minimum Fe export to groundwater. 

scholarly journals N2O Fluxes and Related Processes of Denitrification in Acidified Soil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Zheng ◽  
Junjun Ding ◽  
Qiaozhen Li ◽  
Chunying Xu ◽  
Wei Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Ph ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Total N ◽  
Mapping Approach ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In North China, high levels of N fertilizer and irrigation water are used in fields, which cause considerable N2O fluxes via several pathways, especially anaerobic denitrification. Anaerobic denitrification is regarded as an important microbial process for N2O production in soils with a low O2 level and high N and labile C availability (the typical soil conditions caused by high levels of N fertilizer and irrigation water in the field). We conducted an anaerobic incubation experiment to determine the impact of soil acidification (with a series of soil pH levels, pH 6.2, pH 7.1, and pH 8.7) on N2O source partitioning with the addition of KNO3 and glucose. Natural abundance isotope techniques and gas inhibitor technique were applied to analyze the N2O flux derived from fungal denitrification and bacterial denitrification and its isotopocule characteristics emitted from soils after the addition of NO- 3 and glucose. A mapping approach was used to obtain further insight into the N2O production processes. Our findings confirmed that soil pH strongly controlled the N2O production and reduction rates of denitrification. Soil acidification significantly increased N2O emissions varied from 0.76 mg N kg-1 for natural soil (pH 8.7), to 1.88 mg N kg-1 for pH 7.1, and to 2.35 mg N kg-1 for pH 6.2, and had a blockage effect on the reduction of N2O to N2. The addition of carbon sources promoted complete denitrification. We assumed a higher contribution of fungal denitrification to N2O production compared to total N2O emission associated with acidified soil. A promotion of the contribution of fungal denitrification-derived N2O was indeed observed with decreasing pH, increasing from 0.28 mg N kg-1 for pH 8.7 to 0.94 mg N kg-1 for pH 6.2. The addition of glucose further increased the contribution of fungal denitrification to N2O production from 0.99 mg N kg-1 for pH 8.7 to 3.66 mg N kg-1 for pH 6.2. The mapping approach provided rational results for correcting N2O reduction compared with the acetylene inhibition method. The results calculated by both methods indicated a reasonably large contribution of fungal denitrification to total N2O production in acidified soils.

scholarly journals The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dora Neina
Keyword(s):  
Plant Growth ◽  
Soil Remediation ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Biological Processes ◽  
Biogeochemical Processes ◽  
Soil Environment

In the natural environment, soil pH has an enormous influence on soil biogeochemical processes. Soil pH is, therefore, described as the “master soil variable” that influences myriads of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes that affect plant growth and biomass yield. This paper discusses how soil pH affects processes that are interlinked with the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the soil environment as well as how these processes, through anthropogenic interventions, induce changes in soil pH. Unlike traditional discussions on the various causes of soil pH, particularly soil acidification, this paper focuses on relationships and effects as far as soil biogeochemistry is concerned. Firstly, the effects of soil pH on substance availability, mobility, and soil biological processes are discussed followed by the biogenic regulation of soil pH. It is concluded that soil pH can broadly be applied in two broad areas, i.e., nutrient cycling and plant nutrition and soil remediation (bioremediation and physicochemical remediation).

The Effect of Decay on Growth Rate in a White Spruce Plantation

1978 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Lachance
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Root System ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Growth Reduction ◽  
Butt Rot ◽  
Coniferous Plantations

In a white spruce plantation, sound dominant and co-dominant trees increased their total volume by 55.3% between ages 36 and 46 years, while trees with butt decay grew only 44.0%. In net terms, during that 10-year period, sound trees produced 27% more wood in volume than trees with butt decay. Growth reduction increased with increasing amount of decay present, but not in comparable proportions. This is explained by the presence mainly of root and butt rot fungi which severely affect the root system before causing much decay. Growth losses were evaluated from observations on trees still living at the end of the 10-year period; losses from trees which died during this time were not included. Polyporus tomentosus, a root and butt rot fungus which is relatively important in coniferous plantations, caused 66% (in volume and frequency) of the decay.

scholarly journals Responses of crop yield, apparent potassium balance, and soil potassium status to long-term fertilization and lime addition in acidic Ultisol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianfu Han ◽  
Dongchu Li ◽  
Kailou Liu ◽  
Jing Huang ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Subtropical Region ◽  
K Uptake ◽  
Exchangeable Calcium ◽  
K Fertilizer ◽  
Lime Application ◽  
Lime Addition

Soil acidification is one of the major soil degradation phenomenon in tropical and subtropical region, which cause reductions in soil fertility, particularly potassium (K), and declines in crop yield. However, it remains unclear whether and how the status of K in soils and crops changes with the application of lime to alleviate soil acidification. Six treatments of long-term experiments (started 1990) in subtropical region were carried out. Regardless of fertilization regime, lime addition markedly increased grain and straw yields compared to those yields without lime application. Lime addition also led to significant decreases in the apparent K balances compared to soils without lime application. The agronomic K efficiency and partial factor productivity of K fertilizer both significantly increased after lime application. Lime addition reduced the soil exchangeable K (EK) content and stock, while increased soil non-exchangeable K (NEK) content and stock. Redundancy analysis showed that K input, lime, pH, and exchangeable calcium all significantly affected the K in soil and crops. Path analysis showed that lime indirectly influenced soil K (EK and NEK) by directly affecting soil pH, exchangeable calcium, K uptake and apparent K balances. These results suggest that lime addition is a viable strategy for improving crop yields and K fertilizer efficiency in degraded soils caused by acidification. Lime significant increased K uptake which lead to decreased soil EK content and stock. Additional, lime also increased soil NEK content and stock which was regulated by soil pH, exchangeable calcium, and crop growth.

scholarly journals Base Neutralizing Capacity of Agricultural Soils in a Quaternary Landscape of North-East Germany and Its Relationship to Best Management Practices in Lime Requirement Determination

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 877
Author(s):  
Sebastian Vogel ◽  
Eric Bönecke ◽  
Charlotte Kling ◽  
Eckart Kramer ◽  
Katrin Lück ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Soil Acidification ◽  
Titration Curve ◽  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Natural Soil ◽  
Natural Processes ◽  
North East ◽  
Neutralizing Capacity

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.

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