Effects on soil chemical properties in Swedish arable soils of different lime products

In field experiments the effects on soil pH and base saturation of different lime products were investigated. Product property hardness depending on geological origin of the raw material was compared in two groups, soft and hard. Crystalline dolomites e.g. were regarded as hard products and sedimentary lime-stones as soft ones. Also particle size and particle size distribution in the products were compared. Two classes were used, fine graded (<1 mm) and coarse graded (<3 mm), respectively. All material used was ordinary commercial products. Twelve experiments were run for 8 years. Tested factors i.e. hard/soft and fine/coarse increased pH and base saturation (BS) significantly. Soft products resulted in 4% higher BS than hard products. Fine graded products increased BS with 5% relative coarse grades ones. The lime effect on BS was the highest the 2nd after lime application. After that the effect declined. Eight years after lime application treatments with minor rates the first 4 years were superior concerning BS to treatments with full rate the first year and then nothing. On average for the last 4 years over the 8-year period the split application treatment gave 6% higher BS than the single rate treatment