Long-term field pH manipulation influence on microbial activity, water repellency and physical properties of soil

Studies across multiple soils find increasing pH decreases water repellency. In this study, water repellency and a range of other soil physical properties of bulk soils, aggregates and intact specimens were measured on a long-term pH field experiment on a single sandy loam soil under a ley-arable crop rotation, with soil pH adjustments occurring annually by adding FeSO4 or CaCO3, to lower or raise the pH, respectively. Crop impacts were investigated by comparing 3rd year grass-white clover to spring oats, at the beginning (May) and end (September) of the growing season to allow soil structure comparisons. As in previous research, increased CO2 microbial respiration (p 55 years of chemical additions to amend soil pH.