Acidification From Long-Term Use Of Urea And Its Effect On Selected Soil Properties

Abstract

Soil acidity is one property associated with decline in soil fertility and low productivity. One important cause of soil acidity is the use of acid-forming inorganic fertilizers. A field study was conducted to examine the development of soil acidity from long-term use of urea and its effects on selected soil properties and whether burning of stover on land ameliorated soil acidity. Nitrogen was applied as urea (46%N) at 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1 to maize grown on an Alfisol. Following 4 years of annual application of urea, the treated soil became more acid than the control plots with no added urea. The extent of soil acidification was significantly (p