Rev. Bras. Ciênc. Solo.1998;22(3):451-7.

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Effects of CaSO₄/CaCO₃ ratios on the movement of nutrients in soil and cotton growth

A. A. Silva, F. R. Vale, L. A. Fernandes, A. E. Furtini Neto, J. A. Muniz

01/Sep/1998

DOI: 10.1590/S0100-06831998000300011

The experiment was carried out in greenhouse at the Soil Science Departament – Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The objective was to study the effects of different CaSO₄/CaCO₃ ratios on the movement of nutrients in soil and cotton growth. The treatments consisted of four CaSO₄/CaCO₃ percentage ratios (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100), in an equivalent basis. A control treatment, without application of either CaSO₄ or CaCO_3, was also established. Substantial calcium and sulfate movement downwards was observed with increasing CaSO₄/CaCO₃ ratios. On the contrary, N-NH₄⁺ and K, N-NO₃^– and Mg movement increased with the CaSO₄/CaCO₃ ratios. Gypsum had little or no effect on subsoil acidity and exchange aluminum. Dry matter yield of cotton was reduced with increasing CaSO₄/CaCO₃ ratios, however, as compared to the control treatment. The application of gypsum was capable of markedly reducing the negative growth effect of acid soils.