Changes of chemical soil characteristics due to doses and particle sizes of limestone in no-tillage and conventional systems

The interest of surface liming of soils on no-tillage system is increasing. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different lime particle sizes and doses applied during the implantation phase of no-tillage and in conventional tillage systems on soil pH and H + Al, Ca2+, and Mg2+ contents. The experiment was carried out in 1998 / 99, on the experimental farm of Sao Paulo State University in Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil, on a Red Distroferric Latossol (Oxisol). A split plot experimental design with four replications was used. The number of plots represented the tillage system, the sub-plots represented particle sizes of limestone (large and small) and sub-sub plots lime doses of 2; 4 and 6 t ha(-1) (large limestone particles) and 1.2; 2.4 and 3.6 t ha(-1) (Small limestone particles). The soil was sampled (at depths of 0-5, 5-10, 10-20 and 20-40 cm) 1, 3 and 12 months after liming. Variance analysis did not detect a three-fold interaction among the factors. 12 months after surface liming, chemical soil characteristics were positively affected (0-5 and 5-10 cm) in the no-tillage system, independent of particle size and doses. Even after more than three months, the fertilizer had a continuos strong effect, independent of the tillage system. Higher lime doses with large particle sizes provided a prolonged residual effect.