Abstract:
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the integrated effects of different amelioration measures on soil acidity and fertility in acidic paddy fields, and to provide a scientific basis for soil acidification management.
Methods A field experiment was conducted from 2021 to 2023 in an acidic paddy field in Wuhu, Anhui Province, using a randomized block design with five treatments: unamended control (CK), lime (LM), calcium–magnesium phosphate fertilizer (CMP), Chinese milk vetch+CMP (MV+CMP), and organic fertilizer+CMP (OF+CMP). After rice harvest, soil samples were collected from the 0−20 cm layer to determine soil acidity indicators (pH, exchangeable H, exchangeable Al, exchangeable acidity) and fertility parameters (organic matter, total N, available P, and available K). Rice and wheat yields were also monitored. Analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and correlation analysis were applied to evaluate the integrated effects of different amendments.
Results Except for the LM treatment, the effects of the other amendment treatments on improving soil fertility, increasing pH, and reducing soil acidity indicators became more pronounced with increasing experimental duration. By 2023, in terms of fertility enhancement, compared with CK, CMP, MV+CMP, and OF+CMP significantly increased soil organic matter by 6.63%, 7.31%, and 7.78%, respectively; available P by 14.69%, 27.20%, and 16.34%, respectively; and available K by 12.03%, 19.21%, and 26.43%, respectively. MV+CMP treatment increased soil total N by 8.78% (P<0.05). MV+CMP showed the greatest effect in organic matter and total N, whereas OF+CMP achieved the highest increase in available K. In terms of crop yield, compared with CK, MV+CMP and OF+CMP significantly increased rice yield by 8.92% and 9.06%, respectively (P<0.05), CMP and OF+CMP treatment increased wheat yield by 12.39% and 17.73%, while LM showed no significant effect on yield. In terms of soil acidity improvement, compared with CK, LM, CMP, MV+CMP, and OF+CMP significantly increased soil pH by 0.34, 0.28, 0.23, and 0.26 units, respectively, while reducing exchangeable H by 44.19%, 28.07%, 37.68%, and 36.51%, respectively, and exchangeable Al by 31.91%, 40.99%, 33.22%, and 36.30% respectively(P<0.05). Among these treatments, CMP was particularly effective in reducing exchangeable Al, with a further reduction of 13.33% compared with LM (P<0.05).
Conclusions Calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer showed significant advantages in alleviating soil acidification and reducing aluminum toxicity, while its combined application with Chinese milk vetch or organic fertilizer provided dual benefits of acid amelioration and fertility improvement. Both MV+CMP and OF+CMP treatments increased soil nutrient levels and promoted rice yield. Specifically, MV+CMP performed better in improving soil total nitrogen and available phosphorus, whereas OF+CMP showed advantages in increasing soil organic matter and available potassium. Overall, the synergistic application of organic inputs and calcium-magnesium phosphate fertilizer can effectively improve the quality of acidic paddy soils and continuously promote stable crop yield.