Liming impacts barley yield over a wide concentration range of soil exchangeable cations

Summary

This long-term field study examined how liming-induced changes in soil exchangeable cation concentrations affect spring barley yield across two UK sites. The research found that exchangeable aluminium concentrations exceeding 7.5 mg kg⁻¹ were associated with substantial yield reductions, while barley tolerated exchangeable manganese concentrations up to 417 mg kg⁻¹ without yield limitation—substantially higher than previously documented critical thresholds. The findings suggest that soil aluminium toxicity, rather than other exchangeable cations, is the primary yield-limiting factor under acidic soil conditions, though site-specific soil properties modulate these relationships.

UK applicability

These findings are directly applicable to UK cereal production, particularly on acidic soils where liming is a standard management practice. The study was conducted at two long-established UK experimental sites (Rothamsted and Woburn) and provides evidence-based guidance on critical exchangeable cation concentrations relevant to UK soil management and barley cultivation.

Key measures

Relative yield (RY) of spring barley; soil exchangeable cation concentrations (Mn, Ca, Al, Cd, Cr, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Ni, K); soil pH; nine years of observations across two sites (Rothamsted and Woburn) with four liming treatments

Outcomes reported

The study measured relative yield of spring barley in relation to soil exchangeable cation concentrations across nine years at two UK sites under four liming rates. Log-logistic relationships were established between barley yield and exchangeable Mn, Ca, and Al concentrations, with critical Al concentrations identified as responsible for yield reduction under acidic conditions.

Topic tags