Effect of Soil Compaction and Application of Lime and Gypsum on Soil Properties and Yield of Soybean

ABSTRACT

Lime and gypsum application is one strategy for correcting soil acidity and improving soil fertility. However, soil compaction in no-till systems can influence these dynamics. This study aimed to assess the effect of lime and gypsum application under different soil compaction levels on soybean yield and soil chemical attributes. The application of lime and gypsum under artificial compaction levels and the movement of exchangeable calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), potassium (K⁺), and soil pH were monitored in the 0–0.05, 0.05–0.10, 0.10–0.20, and 0.20–0.40 m soil layer depths. Soybean grain yield was not influenced by the gypsum and lime applications and artificial compaction levels. In the 0.05–0.1, 0.1–0.2, and 0.2–0.4 m soil layers, the exclusive surface application of lime was effective in increasing the soil pH. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ carbonates had low solubility and mobility in the soil; however, a rapid reaction to the surface over a relatively short period was observed. K⁺ concentration in the 0–0.05 m soil layer did not vary after the gypsum and lime applications. Therefore, the superficial application of lime is effective in acidity correction in no-till systems when the soil is not compacted.

KEYWORDS:

• Gypsum
• liming
• compaction
• calcium leaching

Acknowledgments

We thank CAPES-Brazil (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) for financial support to the first and fifth authors. We thank CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), for financial support to the second, fourth, sixth and eighth authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.