Surface lime application has shown to be efficient for correcting soil acidity in no-tillage systems. Contrary to the expected, this effect has occurred in deeper soil layers and in a relatively short time, in spite of the low solubility of liming materials. The objectives of this research were: (a) to detect the presence of calcite and dolomite minerals originated from lime in the soil; (b) to verify chemical alterations related to soil acidity in the soil profile due to surface lime application, and (c) to verify the movement of lime particles and its effects in correcting the soil acidity in no-tillage system. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with undisturbed columns of an Inceptisol (Haplumbrept), which has been under no-tillage for five years. A commercial lime rate of 12 Mg ha-1 was applied on top of the columns. Seven days after the application of lime it was possible to verify a transfer of fine lime particles (< 0.105 mm) from the soil surface down to 20 cm soil depth as substantiated by the presence of calcite and dolomite minerals at this depth. The effects of surface lime application on chemical soil attributes were observed throughout the soil profile, but were more evident up to 10 cm and also at a depth of 20 cm, where there was accumulation of lime. The movement of lime particles with rain water may be an important mechanism of correction of soil subsurface soil acidity in no-tillage systems.
surface lime; no-tillage system; undeformed soil columns
