Efficiency of lime application on sod-podzolic soil in the north-western region of Russia

¹ Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture “BELOGORKA”, Belogorka village, Gatchina district, 188338 Leningrad region, Russia
² Saint-Petersburg State Forest Technical University named after S.M. Kirov, 194021 Saint-Petersburg, Russia

^* Corresponding author: lenniish@mail.ru

Abstract

The article presents the analysis of the results of a long-term experiment on studying the effectiveness of the combination of the doses of lime and mineral fertilizers on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil in crop rotation in the Leningrad region. Research experiments are carried out in the six-field crop rotation. The data obtained in the course of long-term stationary field experiments are more reliable and accurate compared to the results of model experiments. The liming and long-term uses of mineral fertilizers affect the crop nutrition pattern and the migration capacity of substances in soils. The application of moderate doses of mineral fertilizers during soil liming increases the number of bacterial microflora. Liming significantly increases the nitrification capacity of the soil. Liming of strongly acidic sod-podzolic soils increases the amount of phosphorus and fertilizers the crops take from soil. Calcium, which is a part of phosphorus fertilizers, is essential for acid-sensitive crops. The optimal reaction level for crop development is not constant. In case of a good crops supply with nutrients, the optimal reaction level shifts to a more assiduous area. As a result, the knowledge of the process patterns occurring in the soil under the influence of anthropogenic agricultural activity was obtained. The data obtained are the key to control the soil evolution during its agricultural use.