Summary
This multi-country European field study investigated the agronomic and environmental consequences of liming acidic grasslands. The authors found that liming delivers multiple benefits—including soil pH amelioration, increased grass productivity, reduced fertiliser demand, and enhanced species diversity—and recommend moderate liming of acidic soils tailored to local climatic, soil, and management conditions to maximise benefit realisation.
Regional applicability
The study involved researchers from multiple European institutions and addresses grassland liming, a common practice in the United Kingdom where soil acidity is widespread. The findings and recommendations are directly applicable to United Kingdom grassland management, particularly for farmers managing acidic soils under temperate maritime climates.
Key measures
Soil acidity (pH), grass biomass productivity, fertiliser requirement, species richness, net greenhouse gas emissions
Outcomes reported
The study examined whether liming acidic grasslands increases biomass productivity whilst avoiding detrimental impacts on net greenhouse gas emissions. The research assessed soil acidity amelioration, grass productivity changes, fertiliser requirements, and species richness alongside GHG emission profiles.
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