Work

Beneficial effects persist 5 years after liming acid forest soils in West Virginia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Acid forest soils in the Monongahela National Forest (MNF), West Virginia, were limed at 10 Mg ha −1 by helicopter. Effects of liming were evaluated 1 and 5 years after liming by measuring pH, acidity, and aluminum (Al) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in limed and unlimed soils. First‐year results were reported by Fowler et al. Unlimed soils had soil pH of 4.2, while limed soils had pH of 5.6 in O horizons 5 years after liming. Ca concentrations averaged 6.4 cmol c kg −1 without liming compared to 31 cmol c kg −1 5 years after liming. Soil acidity and Al concentrations in O horizons were five times lower in limed soils compared to unlimed soils after 5 years. The beneficial effects of liming these acid forest soils have persisted through 5 years.

Source: Soil Science Society of America Journal

DOI: 10.1002/saj2.70013

Authors: Jeff Skousen, Jarrett Fowler, Loren Gormley, Ida Holaskova, Adrienne Nottingham, Stephanie Connolly

Institutions: West Virginia University, US Forest Service

Language: English

Topic: Soil Management and Crop Yield

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: West Virginia University, U.S. Forest Service