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Intensified soil acidification from chemical N fertilization and prevention by manure in an 18-year field experiment in the red soil of southern China

  • SOILS, SEC 1 • SOIL ORGANIC MATTER DYNAMICS AND NUTRIENT CYCLING • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

Soil acidification from chemical N fertilization has worsened and is a major yield-limiting factor in the red soil (Ferralic Cambisol) of southern China. Assessment of the acidification process under field conditions over a long term is essential to develop strategies for maintaining soil productivity. The objective of this study was to quantify soil acidification rates from chemical fertilizers and determine the amount of manure needed to inhibit the acidification process.

Materials and methods

A long-term experiment with various fertilizations was carried out during 1990–2008 in a wheat–corn cropping system in the red soil of southern China. Treatments included non-fertilized control, chemical N only (N), chemical N and P (NP), chemical N, P and K (NPK), pig manure only (M), and NPK plus M (NPKM; 70 % total N from M). All N treatments had an input of 300 kg N ha−1 year−1. Annual soil sampling was carried out for pH measurement and acidity analysis.

Results and discussion

Soil pH decreased sharply from an initial pH of 5.7 and then stabilized after 8 to 12 years of fertilization in the N, NP, and NPK treatments with a final pH of 4.2, 4.5, and 4.5, respectively. These three treatments significantly increased soil exchangeable acidity dominated by Al, decreased soil exchangeable base cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+), and elevated acidification rates (3.2–3.9 kmol H+ ha−1 year−1). In contrast, the manure applications (M or NPKM) showed either an increase or no change in soil pH and increases in soil exchangeable base cations.

Conclusions

Urea application to the intensive cropping system accelerated acidification of the red soil during the 18-year field experiment. As 70 % or more total N source, continuous manure application can fully prevent or reverse red soil acidification process. As an effective animal waste management tool, manure incorporation into the acidic soil can promote the overall agricultural sustainability.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support was obtained from the National Science Foundation of China (41301309), the National Basic Research Program (2014CB441001), the National Science and Technology Development Program (2012BAD05B05), and the National Nonprofit Institute Research Grant of CAAS (IARRP-2014-10). We are very grateful to Professor Daniel Murphy of the University of Western Australia for his constructional comments and suggestions. Mention of trademark, propriety product, or vendor in this article does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA-ARS nor does it imply approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may be suitable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Qiyang Agro-ecosystem of National Field Experimental Station, Hunan, 426182, China

    Zejiang Cai, Boren Wang, Minggang Xu, Huimin Zhang & Lu Zhang

  2. Ministry of Agriculture Key Laboratory of Crop Nutrition and Fertilization, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Zejiang Cai, Boren Wang, Minggang Xu, Huimin Zhang & Lu Zhang

  3. Centre of Excellence for Ecohydrology and School of Plant Biology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia

    Xinhua He

  4. San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Parlier, CA, 93648-9757, USA

    Suduan Gao

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  1. Zejiang Cai
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  4. Huimin Zhang
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Correspondence to Minggang Xu.

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Responsible editor: Caixian Tang

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Cai, Z., Wang, B., Xu, M. et al. Intensified soil acidification from chemical N fertilization and prevention by manure in an 18-year field experiment in the red soil of southern China. J Soils Sediments 15, 260–270 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-014-0989-y

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