Effect of Active Lime on the Availability of Metal Micronutrients

Abstract

The low solubility of minerals containing metal micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn in alkaline or lime-rich soils adversely affects plant development in these soils, leading to significant yield losses. This study was conducted to determine the effects of active lime on metal microelement availability in calcareous soils. The analysis of 55 soil samples taken from Narlı Plain in Kahramanmaraş Province revealed a significant positive correlation (r=0.95**) between active and total lime values. The study also indicated that an average of 58% of total lime was present in the active form. Furthermore, it demonstrated that as total lime increased, the proportional amount of active lime decreased. The points where the ratio of active lime to total lime is highest are observed to have low total lime contents. As the total lime content increases, the ratio of active lime to total lime decreases. This is thought to be related to the measurement of relatively higher active lime contents as the calcium on exchangeable surfaces passes into solution when the total lime is low. Therefore, this situation calls into question the reliability of active lime analysis at low total lime contents. With the increase in total lime content, this relative effect disappears and more reliable results are obtained. While active and total lime values showed similar correlations with Mn and Cu, Fe showed a higher correlation with active lime than with total lime. Active lime did not exhibit superior predictability compared to total lime when explaining the utility of metal microelements, excluding iron.