The effects of liming and soil pH on carbon and nitrog contained in the soil biomass

Abstract

SUMMARYThe C and N in the biomass of soils from eight grassland field experiments where lime had been applied was determined by the chloroform fumigation method. Lime application increased C and N in the biomass by approximately 30% overall, although there was no effect at two sites. In the unlimed plots basal CO2 production, biomass C, and flush of mineral N production (FN) increased with soil pH. Biomass C and FN were correlated with total N content but not with organic C.Differences in the apparent C/N ratio of the biomass were found in unlimed soils of pH ≤ 4·5 and in those of pH > 4·5, the ratios being 4·2 and 5·8 respectively. For limed soils the ratio was 5·2. It is probable that the chloroform fumigation method is not suited to soils of very low pH, and that the C/N ratio obtained in soils of pH < 4·5 is artificially low.

Insights into the Effect of Soil pH on N 2 O and N 2 Emissions and Denitrifier Community Size and Activity

“…However, since soils having different natural pHs also differ in many other properties, the effect of soil pH is often investigated by modifying the pH gradually (1,33), typically by the application of lime. This method of pH manipulation can take years, with repeated lime applications being required.…”

Seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen and other nutrients in soil of Pinus massoniana stands after pine wilt disease disturbance

“…For example, early experiments by Christ and David (1996) determined that increased soil temperature and moisture in summer resulted in increased DOC production in the organic horizons of red spruce Spodosols. Soil pH is considered to be a dominant factor controlling the microbial transformation of organic matter (Adams and Adams, 1983;Kemmitt et al, 2006), and a lower soil pH under slash pine favored the accumulation of soil C and thus led to a greater DOC concentration (Shunbao et al, 2012). Table 3.…”

The effect of soil pH on rhizosphere carbon flow of Lolium perenne

“…The presence of an active microflora also influences carbon loss from plants grown in solution culture (Kraffczyk et al, 1984;Lee and Gaskins, 1982) and in soil (Martin and Kemp, 1986;Martin, 1977). Many chemical and biological properties of soil are strongly related to soil pH (Carter, 1986;Adams and Adams, 1983) as in plant growth (Hojito et al, 1987) and it may, therefore, be expected that soil pH will influence the pattern of carbon flow from plant roots. Frenzel (1960), and Lundegradh and Stenlid (1944), reported that the hydrogen ion concentration of the nutrient solution in which plants (sunflower, peas and wheat) were grown had little or no effect on root exudation.…”