Liming Decreases the Vertical Mobility of Potassium in Acidic Soils

Abstract

Liming increases soil negative charges and thus affects the chemical equilibrium of cations between the solid phase and the soil solution with consequences for the mobility of cations. The effects of lime and potassium chloride (KCl) addition on the vertical movement of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were investigated in two Brazilian soils. The experiment was carried out in leaching columns. Treatments included a combination of rates of KCl (0, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg −1 K) and acidity levels (without and with liming). Seven water percolations (400 mL per column) were performed at weekly intervals, totaling an equivalent to 357 mm of rain. Raising the soil pH decreased the leaching of K, in both soils, up to 50% because of the increase of its electrostatic adsorption on created negative charges. Addition of KCl increased the percolation of K, Ca, and Mg proportionally to the rate applied, and it was more efficient than calcium carbonate to percolate Ca in both soils. Liming must be taken into consideration when K leaching or plant needs of K are estimated in predominantly variable-charge soils.

Changes in soil chemical and physical properties in pasture fertilised with liquid swine manure

“…This explains the increase in K with greater depth following successive applications of LSM (Lourenzi et al, 2013;Grohskopf et al, 2016a;Oliveira et al, 2017). However, increases in negative charges in the soil induced by higher organic C content and pH values in the surface layer may also reduce K translocation to deeper soil layers (Ernani et al, 2012), as observed for the area fertilised for 15 years compared to the area fertilised for eight years ( Figure 4B and Table 2). Increases in soil K induced by LSM application agree with results reported by Oliveira et al (2017), which verified that K levels in pasture areas fertilised with LSM over 15 years were 2, 3 and even 4 times higher in the 0-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm layers respectively, compared to those quantified in the native forest.…”

Plant growth and nutritional status of leaves from young grapevines grown in soil subjected to potassium and limestone applications

“…It may have happened because irrigations were annually carried out from November to January and it may have stimulated K ion displacement in the soil, mainly in soil presenting low CEC pH7.0 (4.7 cmol c kg -1 ). K displacement may also have happened in soil with history of limestone application, which increased Ca and Mg adsorption in functional groups of soil reactive particles and partly stimulated K displacement from the solid fraction to the solution (Werle et al, 2008;Ernani et al, 2012). Thus, it is necessary applying potassium fertilizer doses to the soil on a yearly basis, rather than just before vineyard implementation, in order to maintain K levels in the soil close to the original ones and in adequate amounts capable of meeting plant demands.…”

Effect of Liming on Soil Properties, Nutrient Content and Yield of Wetland Rice in Acid Tropical Soils of Kerala

“…Available potassium was significantly higher in the treatment where calcium carbonate was applied as per lime requirement (S 2 L 3 ). In soils with pH dependent charges, increase in pH with liming enhances the CEC of soil thus improving the ability to retain potassium (Ernani et al, 2012).…”