Interaction of liming and long-term fertilization increased crop yield and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) through mediating exchangeable cations in acidic soil under wheat-maize cropping system

Low phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) in acidic soil limits crop growth. This study investigated the effects of long-term fertilizer and quicklime (CaO) application on crop yield and PUE in acidic soil under a wheat-maize rotation system. Results showed that lime significantly increased soil exchangeable base cations (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and decreased Al³⁺, leading to higher PUE and crop yields. Soil pH was positively correlated with exchangeable Ca²⁺, PUE, and crop yield, while negatively correlated with exchangeable Al³⁺. Exchangeable Ca²⁺, pH, exchangeable Al³⁺, and available N were the most influential factors for crop yield. Liming is an effective strategy to mitigate soil acidification and increase PUE for high crop yields in acidic soil.

Muhammad Qaswar, Li Dongchu, Huang Jing, Han Tianfu, Waqas Ahmed, Muhammad Abbas, Zhang Lu, Du Jiangxue, Zulqarnain Haider Khan, Sami Ullah, Zhang Huimin, Wang Boren