Liming effect of non-legume residues promotes the biological amelioration of soil acidity via nitrate uptake

Abstract

Aims: The utilisation of on-farm crop residues to ameliorate soil acidity is thought to be more cost-effective than other organic materials such as animal manures. In addition, using NO3− as the form of N can induce rhizosphere alkalinisation due to the excess uptake of anions over cations by plant roots. Methods: A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four commonly-used brown manures, field pea, oats, vetch and wheat in combination with two Ca(NO3)2 levels (64 and 191 mg N kg− 1) in improving wheat growth in two acid soils varying in Al3+ concentration and pH buffer capacity. Results: All amendments increased plant growth and soil pH, and decreased Al concentration ..