Effects of lime and fertiliser on productivity of Albic Retisols

Abstract

The long-term effects of three levels of liming in combination with NPK fertiliser were studied in a field experiment on sandy Albic Retisols (sod podzolic soils) in Northwest Polissia from 2011 to 2019. Crop yields were recorded and topsoil samples collected annually and analysed for hydrolytic acidity, pH, readily hydrolysable N, labile P, and exchangeable K. The highest levels of plant nutrients were measured in plots receiving the highest doses of lime; the content of the studied elements increased during the first 4–6 years then stabilised at high levels; and this trend was shadowed by the crop yields. Grain weight varied on average from 2.07t/ha in the unfertilised control, to 3.06t/ha in plots receiving only NPK, and reached 5.30t/ha on plots receiving the maximum dose of lime.