Soil chemical properties and wheat production in three Andisol with applications of materials from the cellulose industry

Abstract

Soil acidity is one of the main factors that reduces productivity in agricultural crops, and it is corrected with materials that neutralize acidification. Among soils affected by acidity are those of volcanic origin. At least 30 % of agricultural soils in Chile are of volcanic origin, and acidity correction practices must be constantly performed. This study aimed to evaluate the effectively of two materials that may neutralize soil acidification and increase yield production in Chilean volcanic soils. An experiment was conducted during the 2019-2020 season, in which different acidity correction materials derived from the cellulose industry [Ash + Dregs (AD) and Ash + Dregs + Sludge (ADS)] were applied in three volcanic soils cultivated with wheat in southern Chile (Chillán, Temuco, and Osorno). Treatments were a control, CaCO 3 at an adjusted rate to reach pH 6.0 and AD and ADS at the same rate as CaCO 3 and twice the rate. Results indicated that the application of AD and ADS produced similar effects on pH(H 2 O), Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Al 3+ contents, cationic exchange capacity (CEC), and Al saturation compared with CaCO 3 at the same rate; the effect was directly proportional to the rate used with each AD and ADS. Wheat production at each location was similar for AD, ADS, and CaCO 3 at the same rate; however, it fluctuated between 10.1 and 10.4, 5.4 and 6.5, and 10.0 and 10.3 Mg ha -1 at Chillán, Temuco, and Osorno, respectively. Results indicate that these materials are an alternative to be used as a soil acidity correction amendment.