Soil properties, yields and chemical characteristics of flue-cured tobacco as affected by liming.

摘要

In order to assess the effect of liming on soil properties, yields and selected chemical characteristics of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. McN-944), a three year field experiment (1990-92) was conducted on an acid soil (pH 4.9), in the Agrinio alluvial plain, western Greece. The soil was representative of those on which flue-cured tobacco is grown in this area and generally in Greece. To evaluate the influence of applied lime, rates of 4.0, 6.5, 9.0, 11.5, 14.0 and 16.5 t lime (CaO) ha-1were applied. Liming significantly reduced soil acidity, exchangeable aluminium and manganese and increased exchangeable calcium. Exchangeable potassium and magnesium were not affected by liming. Concentrations of Mn in cured leaves were significantly reduced by lime application in all the years studied. Concentrations of Ca, K and Mg in cured leaves, as well as chemical constituents and chemical ratios, were not affected by different rates of lime. The values of chemical constituents and chemical ratios lay within the range most commonly and routinely identified in flue-cured tobacco. The effect of liming on tobacco yield was indirect and came about as a result of a decrease in exchangeable aluminium and manganese. Yields increased when the values ofexchangeable aluminium became low, above pH value 5.5, and did not increase above pH value 6.0.