Role of soil liming in increasing crop yields in crop rotation

Abstract

These studies were conducted on the effects of new converter slag fertilizer (complex mineral fertilizer, limestone, soil ameliorant) for land reclamation, provided by the Japanese agricultural chemical manufacturer, containing 37.3% of CaO and 18.0% of MgO, on two types of soil in the Amur Region (Russia). About 85% of arable land has a high acidity (pHKCl ≤ 5.5) in the region. Therefore, the need for the use of land reclamation in the region is high. Studies aimed to establish the effect of various doses of the slag fertilizer on the change in the acidity of brown forest and meadow chernozem-like (Amur prairie) soils, as well as increase the yield of soybean and wheat in crop rotation. The experimental scheme was tested in doses of the limestone from 1 to 4 t/ha on the background of nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer. The application of studied mineral fertilizer ensured a decrease in soil acidity by 0.05-0.30 (pHKCl) units by increasing of exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in soil exchange complex. The result was an increase in soybean yield by 0.18-0.45 t/ha and an increase in seed quality. Based on the results, fertilizer was recommended in doses of 2 to 4 t/ha, depending on the type of soil.