Amelioration of an Acid Sulfate Soil by Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) Ash Addition

摘要

The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of ameliorating the soil acidity of an acid sulfate soil ( pH 3. 1) by horsetail ash addition. Both the high Si content and the high alkalinity of horsetail ash signify that it could be a good soil amendment to improve aluminium toxicity in acid soils. Thus, the effects of horsetail ash on soil chemical properties and growth of barley plants were evaluated comparing such material with lime in an incubation and a pot experiment. Both treatments increased soil pH, reduced soil exchangeable Al and stimulated plant growth. Although acid neutralization capacity of horsetail ash was lower than that of lime at the same soil pH (4 and 5) , higher increases of shoot dry matter were recorded in horsetail ash-amended soils.