Skip to main content
SLU publication database (SLUpub)

Research article2023Peer reviewedOpen access

Long-term effects of liming on crop yield, plant diseases, soil structure and risk of phosphorus leaching

Nystrom, Asa Olsson; Blomquist, Jens; Persson, Lars; Gunnarsson, Anita; Berglund, Kerstin

Abstract

This study examined the long-term effects of applying structure lime (mixture of similar to 80% CaCO3 and 20% Ca(OH)(2)) and ground limestone (CaCO3) on soil aggregate stability and risk of phosphorus (P) losses 5-7 years after liming, incidence of soil-borne diseases and yield in winter wheat (Tritium aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Lime was applied in 13 field trials in Sweden 2013-2015 and soil characteristics and crop yield were monitored until 2021. Seedbed (0-4 cm depth) aggregate (2-5 mm size) stability was improved to the same extent with both lime treatments compared to the untreated control, sampled 5-7 years after liming. Analyses and estimations of different P fractions (total P, PO4-P and particulate P) in leachate following simulated rainfall events on undisturbed topsoil cores sampled 6-8 years after liming revealed lower total P and particulate P concentrations in both lime treatments compared to the untreated control. Two sugar beet trial sites with soil pH <= 7.2 before liming showed an increase in sugar yield for structure lime and ground limestone as an effect of increased concentration of soil potassium (K-AL) and/or lower Aphanomyces root rot potential compared to the untreated control. Yield of winter wheat was not affected by application of either type of lime at sites with pH >7.2 but yield of oilseed rape decreased after application of structure lime.

Keywords

structure lime; ground limestone; aggregate stability; phosphorus; sugar beet; soil-borne disease

Published in

Agricultural and Food Science
2023, Volume: 32, number: 3, pages: 139-153
Publisher: SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURAL SOC FINLAND

      SLU Authors

    • Associated SLU-program

      SLU Plant Protection Network

      Sustainable Development Goals

      Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
      End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Soil Science

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.130983

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/126865