Clay dispersion and loss in Oxisol treated with different concentrations of limestone

Abstract

The addition of limestone to the soil may cause clay dispersion and loss. In this study, we aimed to estimate clay dispersion and loss in Oxisol incubated with different concentrations of limestone. To this end, soil samples were collected from a depth of 0.0-0.20 m, treated with limestone at a concentration of 1.46 Mg ha-1 or 2.73 Mg ha-1 to raise base saturation to 60% and 70%, respectively, and incubated for 12 months under greenhouse conditions. Clay dispersion analysis was conducted monthly using the test tube method. The results showed that clay dispersion increased with soil pH and time after limestone application. However, no significant change in clay concentration was identified in the control (no limestone application). At 60% base saturation, clay loss was first observed to be significantly higher than that of the control at 4 months after application and reached a maximum at 9 months after application. At 70% base saturation, clay loss was also first observed to be significantly higher than that of the control at 4 months after application and reached a maximum at 6 months after application. Overall, our data revealed that clay dispersion due to limestone application was approximately 16 g kg-1 over a period of 12 months and increased with the increasing concentrations of Ca and Mg.