ABSTRACT
In a 6 years’ field experiment in a podzolized heather area in Norway the effects of liming and P and Cu fertilization were tested versus changes in vegetation and soil chemistry. The vegetation altered slowly, particularly the woody species, but pronounced over years. Liming had a positive effect on all species except Deschampsia flexuosa and Vaccinium myrtillus, P tended to favour all except V. myrtillus, and Cu promoted all except Nardus stricta, V. oliginosum and V. myrtillus. Surface spreading of liming material and fertilizers caused distinct lime, phosphorus and copper effects and interactions in the soil litter layer. Liming markedly increased pH and Ca level and stimulated microbial activity, whilst the fertilizers increased P and Cu availability in soil. Cu fertilization counteracted a feared Cu deficiency when liming marginal soils. Gradually the changes penetrated into deeper soil layers. This strong chemical influence led the podzol into a cambisol cycle, characterized by retention of humus in the E layer, accompanied by a slight increase in pH, elevated levels of Kjeldahl-N, AL dissolved and exchangeable Ca, and in CEC and BS.

The complete paper can be downloaded as a pdf file (in English with Czech summary) (253 kB).

RØYNEBERG SAND - BIOTITE INCREASES K RESERVES AND PLANT UPTAKE - SIMPLIFIED TRIALS IN SOUTHERN NORWAY - COMPLETE REPORT
Published 20^th January 2006

The field trials with biotite containing Røynebergsand and organic fertilizers (mainly farmyard manure) on ecologically cultivated pasture poor in potassium in the county of Vest-Agder, were simplified fields for demonstration and testing.
In 2004 and 2005 visible differences between the plots were gradually confirmed;  the zero treatment (unfertilized) showed very low yields due to N deficiency, and this could result in extreme plant chemical analytical levels induced by growth disturbances.   but these were not expected to be observed less the conditions would be extreme.  Large variations were observed between the fields with respect to K contents in plant dry matter, but all was within a normal variation in the range 1,2-3,25 % K in DM (dry matter).  The optimal range is 2-3,5% K, but only when falling below 1 % K, we should expect dramatic crop failure and a visual decline.  For the elements Ca and partly Mg there was also a tendency of increased contents when fertilized with Røynebergsand, but seemed mainly to be an immediate effect of recently supplied mineral material.

The soil effect of K in Røynebergsand has increased by repeated additions during the 3 years’ experimental period, and there are reserves of potassium plant available in the long-term perspective.  The experiment is limited, hence the data are scarce, but in 2004 there was a strong tendency to effect on soil  contents of K-AL and K-HNO3, and from spring 2005 the enhanced level of K-HNO3 was statistically significant.

Ca- and Mg-AL levels were not affected as proved in general 0-20 cm samples, but the effect on plants must probably be due to increased levels in the fine roots active 1-2 cm upper zone, where the added Røynebergsand is retained at fertilization. 

The final annual report 2004-05 (data, figures) can be downloaded here as a WORD file (Norwegian text).

Research together with the Norwegian Agricultural Extension Groups Nordfjord and Indre Sogn

OLIVINE IN SEVERAL YEARS’ DOSE
FERTILIZATION OF PASTURE IN GLACIAL VALLEYS
AT THE NORWEGIAN WEST COAST
3^rd AND LAST EXPERIMENTAL YEAR 2004
CROPS AND CHEMICAL CONTENTS
Published 5^th April 2005

The field trials on soils rich in potassium just beneath the glacier Jostedalsbreen were started in 2002, in the valleys Myklebustdalen in the municipality Gloppen and in Fjærland in the municipality Sogndal, respectively.  These were composite experiments in which compound fertilizers 25-2-6 and 18-3-15 were tested together with sulphur calcium nitrate, for the 2^nd cut in combinations with Hydro-CAN, and in addition micronised olivine was added to 3 of the plots.  In 2002 the amounts of olivine were 200 and 400 kg per ha, but were in 2003 increased ten times (to 2,000 and 4,000 kg per ha) to last for several years.

In both 2003 and 2004 there were statistically significant effects for magnesium in yield DM for the increased doses of olivine, and these came in addition to easily soluble Mg in mineral fertilizers.  Treatments including sulphur calcium nitrate or Hydro-CAN showed a tendency of increased Ca levels in plant DM, and it was most pronounced at the 2^nd cut.  The potassium level remained quite stable at the 1^st cut, but extra K in mineral fertilizers enhanced K uptake and trigged Ca and Mg antagonisms.
Sulphur calcium nitrate and compound fertilizers supplied prior to the 2^nd cut were absolutely necessary to maintain the S supply during the entire growth season.

Climatic factors could explain differences in yields between the fields as related to experimental fertilization.  Fjærland has an interior climate, whilst Myklebustdalen surely has a higher nutrient loss by leaching.  The differences due to treatments were minor in Fjærland, whereas a marked yield depression was found when only farmyard manure was supplied in Myklebustdalen, and some significant drops in yields were found at the 1^st  cut at some imbalanced mineral fertilizer combinations, too.

The entire Annual Report to be downloaded in WORD format (1,66 Mb) or in ZIP format (0,87 Mb), including statistical graphs, main tables and photo materials (Norwegian main text).

CONFERENCE ACIDIFICATION AND LIMING 2004 FOTO CAVALCADE FROM UMEÅ 07.-09. SEPTEMBER

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management arranged the Swedish/Norwegian Acidification and Liming Conference in Umeå 3 days in September. Plenary key speeches and discussions (0,75 Mb) were highly up to date concerning the need of continued liming in spite of reduced acidifying emissions, due to exceeded tolerance levels in nature and an impact on the soil-water system lasting for a very long time. Posters and workshops were well organised.
The excursions presented several current topics in the County of Västerbotten: Biological recovery, construction of bridges and tunnels, helicopter spreading of various products liming in the terrain by Nordkalk AB (0,9 Mb) and Svenska Mineral AB (1,1 Mb), adaptation of creek liming to promote spawning, detrimental lime effects on bog mosses (1,2 Mb), and boron deficiency in forest (1,7 Mb) (Scots pine (Pinus sylvéstris) and birch (Bétula pubéscens)) following extreme lime doses. A new impression for the Norwegians was to observe the dominance of Ledum palústre (1,4 Mb) on the pine forest floor.

The arrangement was very well organised by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the County of Västerbotten. Norway represented by the Directorate for Nature Management will host the next Conference in 2006.

International conference

RESTORATION OF FOREST SOILS IN POLLUTED AREAS

26 – 28 May, 2004

Prague, Czech Republic

Summary of the International Conference
Published 24^th August 2004

In general the atmospheric inputs of SO₂ to forest ecosystems have decreased during the last decade, but the inputs of NO_x and NH_x have not changed.
The threat of high acidity in soils on functioning of soil processes remains. This warrants special measures of ameliorating soils by addition of lime or alternative liming materials.

Details of the observations and remarks from the conference as given below can be studied in the enclosed document of summary.

1. Present status of soil acidification in Europe and USA and how far it is still a problem in relation to environmental issues and economic losses.
2. What are the possibilities of countermeasures in forestry and other land uses, and neighbouring ecosystems?
3. Recommendations for – future issues of research pertaining to science, forest management, and for policy and decision makers.

Moreover, all scientific papers from the conference will in a short time be published in the Journal of Forest Sciences (Prague).

Research together with the Norwegian Agricultural Extension Group Vefsna in Northern Norway

EFFICIENT PRODUCTS TO THAW SNOW IN NORTHERN NORWAY
Published 9^th July 2004

In a field trial in the mountain areas of Hattfjeldal in the county of Nordland, Norway, the snow thaw products Odda Lime, Norstone Røyneberg Sand, Norstone Røyneberg Dust, Hammerfall Thaw Dolomite and Visnes Eclogite Dust were tested in amounts of 300, 600, 900 and 1,800 kg per ha. The best thawing effect was achieved with Odda Lime, which production is now abandoned. Next to this was Røyneberg Dust, whereas Røyneberg Sand, Hammerfall Thaw Dolomite and Visnes Eclogite Dust were slightly inferior. There was no interaction between types of thaw products and amounts added, i.e. the products showed quite parallel developments in efficiency by increased amounts. An exception was found for Odda Lime, where little was gained at 50% thaw effect by increasing the amounts. Even small additions of this product led to enhanced snow melting at the beginning, whilst a clear effect of elevated additions were shown at the stage of total thawing at the end.

The entire Report of Experiement (3,5 Mb) - in Norwegian text, with photos, graphs and statistical data - to be downloaded in WORD-ZIP format or direct WORD format (downloading *.doc can be stopped by antivirus programs).

OLIVINE IN SEVERAL YEARS’ DOSE
FERTILIZATION OF PASTURE IN GLACIAL VALLEYS
AT THE NORWEGIAN WEST COAST
2^nd EXPERIMENTAL YEAR 2003
CROPS AND CHEMICAL CONTENTS
Published 13^th April 2004

The field trials on soils rich in potassium just beneath the glacier Jostedalsbreen were started in 2002, in the valleys Myklebustdalen in the municipality Gloppen and in Fjærland in the municipality Sogndal respectively. These were composite experiments in which compound fertilizers 25-2-6 and 18-3-15 were tested together with sulphur calcium nitrate, for the 2^nd cut in combinations with Hydro-CAN, and in addition micronised olivine was added to 3 of the plots. In 2002 the amounts of olivine were 200 and 400 kg per ha, but were in 2003 increased ten times (to 2,000 and 4,000 kg per ha) to last for several years.

In 2003 there were statistically significant effects for magnesium in yield DM for the increased doses of olivine, and these came in addition to easily soluble Mg in mineral fertilizers. Treatments including sulphur calcium nitrate showed a tendency of increased Ca levels in plant DM, and it was most pronounced at the 2^nd cut. The potassium level remained quite stable, but extra K in mineral fertilizers trigged Ca and Mg antagonisms.

Sulphur calcium nitrate and compound fertilizers supplied prior to the 2^nd cut were necessary to maintain the S supply during the entire growth season.
With an exception of a marked yield depression when only farmyard manure was supplied, there were small differences in yield levels.

The entire Annual Report (2,15 Mb) to be downloaded in WORD format, the publication in Vestlandsk Landbruk (West Coast Agriculture) of April 2004 (317 Kb) for downloading in pdf format (Norwegian texts).

RØYNEBERG SAND - BIOTITE INCREASES K RESERVES IN SOIL - SIMPLIFIED TRIALS IN SOUTHERN NORWAY
Published 21^st August 2003

The field trials with biotite containing Røynebergsand and farmyard manure on ecologically cultivated pasture poor in potassium in the county of Vest-Agder were simplified fields for demonstration and testing.

In 2003 there were no visible differences between the plots, but these were not expected to be observed less the conditions would be extreme. Large variations were confirmed between the fields with respect to K contents in plant dry matter, but all was within a normal variation in the range 1,2-3,25 % K in DM (dry matter). The optimal range is 2-3,5% K, but only when falling below 1 % K, we should expect dramatic crop failure and a visual decline. For other elements analysed (Ca, Mg, Na, P and S) no tendencies could be found.

For most parameters of soil analysis there were no effects of added fertilisers, still with an important exception for the K-HNO₃ figures. For all 3 fields it was evident that the Røynebergsand yielded a significant increase in reserves of potassium for availability in the long-term perspective.

The annual report 2003 (data, figures) can be downloaded here as a WORD file.

RESTORATION OF FOREST SOILS IN POLLUTED AREAS - 1st Announcement and call for papers
Published 21^st August 2003

In May 2004 there will be a research conference held at the Czech Agricultural University in Prague - Suchdol.

Dr. Jiri Kulhavy is one of our colleagues since 1990, when we worked together at the Agricultural University in Norway (Aas-NLH), and we have visited him at the Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno. He is now in the Organizing Committee of the conference, whilst Dr. Karl-Jan Erstad participates in the Scientific Committee.

The conference topics concern mitigation measures to polluted forest soils, as liming, fertilization, other basic compounds (as wood ash etc.), and we think it could be of interest for you.

This is the first call for papers. Perhaps you could imagine to contribute with scientific papers?
Preliminary program can be downloaded here as a WORD file.
Later full program and another registration scheme will be announced.

NEWS IN SCIENTIFIC WORK

22nd MEETING I CEN/TC260/WG3
LIMING MATERIALS FOR AGRICULTURE
AT PARTEK NORDKALK OY AB,
Hotel Hamburger Börs
TURKU, FINLAND
2^nd and 3^rd September 2002

4 laborious work items were under discussion during this meeting of European standardization in CEN/TC260/WG3. Dr. Karl-Jan Erstad from Consultative Agronomists represented Norwegian interests and the Norwegian Standardization Body as member of CEN: Soil Incubation, Lime Requirement in Soils, Acid/base effects of mineral fertilizers and Description and Minimum Requirements for Liming Materials.

SPEECH FOR THE 17th MAY IN HELLEVIK 2002
By Karl-Jan Erstad, Folkestad

Honoured fellow citizens: "Constitutional Day Congratulations"

At first a citation of Storm P. (Denmark): "I certainly have my opinion, and that I keep for myself."
It is an honour and an act of confidence to be asked to speech for the Constitutional Day, and to be dedicated a speaker’s platform where I can sign for it by a subtlety: "In case silence were gold, I were broke."

NEWS IN SCIENTIFIC WORK

21st MEETING I CEN/TC260/WG3
LIMING MATERIALS FOR AGRICULTURE
AT DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) – Meting Room 902,
Burggrafenstraße 6,
D-10787 BERLIN, GERMANY
29^th and 30^th April 2002

3 items with conflicts were topics of discussion during this meeting for European standardization in CEN/TC260/WG3. Dr. Karl-Jan Erstad from Consultative Agronomists represented Norwegian interests and the Norwegian Standardization Body as member of CEN:

1. Soil Incubation
It was decided that the French and the Norwegian methods should be co-ordinated to be included in the a common standard. In this way we will bet a standard with a Method A (French, qualitative) and a Method B (Norwegian, quantitative for efficiency of liming materials). The first draft of the standard should be forwarded by the end of June 2002.

2. Lime Requirement in Soils
Following a hard dispute the Working Group decided to continue with a German proposal for a standard, which will be an open and general advisory document. The Norwegian chemical method applying Ba-acetate was abandoned at last, even as a work item.

3. Acid/base effects of mineral fertilizers
Following extensive discussions it was concluded that contents of lime should only be determined in fertilizers, not of (including effects in soils and from crops). This should be performed by simple titrations (determination of neutralizing value, according to EN 12945 by extension of the scope of the standard). From Norwegian side we felt uncomfortable, and considered it as a quarter of the truth. Main effects on pH (in soil) are related to chemical transformation of nitrogen compounds in fertilizers and physiological acid/base effects by uptake in crops. Additionally, we have effects on ion exchange processes at soil colloids, combined with leaching.

The next meeting of WG3 will be in Finland 2^nd and 3^rd September, and at the higher level (TC260) in Brussels, Belgium, 4^th and 5^th November 2002.

Further information about these items is available from Consultative Agronomists, the Norwegian General Standardizing Body (by Inger S. Jørgensen, Oslo), the Norwegian Lime Association (by Carl S. Østberg, Hamar) and Hydro Agri Norge (by Torbjørn Legard, Porsgrunn).

Dispute with the Norwegian Language Council
LINGUISTICS: CZECHIA OR THE CZECH REPUBLIC?
18.07.2001
For your information regarding Norwegian usage of language related to international co-operation, politics and history, in discussion with Mr. Vigleik Leira in the Norwegian Language Council at the beginning of July 2001. Our firm Consultative Agronomists is active in European standardization work and has professional contacts in the Czech Republic.

09.12.99:
REPORT ’A RINGTEST ON ANALYSES OF LAKE LIMING MATERIALS FOR THE DIRECTORATE OF NATURE MANAGEMENT’

Rådgivande Agronomar Rapport 3/99 (author Karl-Jan Erstad) is written in Norwegian with English summary and headings of tables and figures.

Under direction of the Norwegian governmental Directorate of Nature Management a ringtest has been performed in summer 1999 to pre-qualify laboratories for participation in an invited tender of this analytical work for the period 2000-2001, with an option to prolong it for another 2 years.

5 highly relevant liming materials used in the ringtest, 3 finely ground limestones, and 2 some coarser applicable for creek and terrestrian liming, of which one was dolomitic.

The ringtest revealed that all laboratories performed major and minor analytical errors.

The most common errors which occurred, were as follows:

* There were difficulties to present reliable analyses of particles by sieving below 20-40 µm. This might be due to choice of instruments, omittance of using known standards of liming materials by calibration, and probably it was also operator dependent.

* Only one laboratory had problems with analyses of neutralizing value, and there had to be a systematic error in their procedure of work.

* Most laboratories were unsteady by determining density. It is not an exact parameter, and will widely depend on the chosen method. By applying the required method from the Directorate of Nature Management (ISO 7837) it is a concern of purchasing the proper apparatus and to attain operation training.

* Generally there were only minor problems with analyses of calcium and magnesium. Merely a few errors were done.

* A range of grave errors was conducted with respect to analyses of secondary elements, heavy metals and trace elements. Several laboratories had apparently not obtained a full digestion of aluminium from the liming materials. One laboratory demonstrated too high figures of copper, another with respect to zinc.

* Some laboratories presented too high values or had too low precision levels of cadmium and lead. This could be due to contaminations in equipment or drift against the calibrated standards at fairly low concentrations.

* There were no problems to determine pH at appropriate level (pH<9) in lime suspension, when the operators had been made aware of the profound need to keep CO₂ in suspension in equilibrium with the atmospheric CO₂. None of the samples contained calcinated materials (oxides/hydroxides), and it was not identified by any laboratory neither.

23.11.99:
REPORT "REACTIVITY BY SOIL INCUBATION AND ENV 1 YEAR OF NEW DOLOMITIC AND CALCITIC PRODUCTS FROM NORTHERN EUROPE "

Rådgivande Agronomar Rapport 4/99 (authors Karl-Jan Erstad og Jyrki Linke, Partek Nordkalk OY AB) is written in English with Norwegian summary.

The aim of this project was to test solubility of new dolomitic and to retest calcitic products in northern Europe by the soil incubation method and establish ENV 1 year figures at this stage. There were small differences between carbonate materials for the finest fractions <0.2 mm, whereas the soft dolomites proved their higher solubility compared with the crystalline ones in the intermediate range 0.2-1.0 mm. The Cambro-Silurian calcites showed higher reactivity than the crystalline Precambrian one. For fractions >1.0 mm the differences were not statistically significant.

For burnt limes the soft burnt calcite and dolomite were superior in reactivity the first hours and days after mixing into soil. The British product Dolomet F was too coarse (0-5 mm) and was inferior even compared with the half-burnt Doloflour and its mixture with carbonatic dolomites. The project will continue 1.5-2.0 years to establish ENV 5 years figures.

15.11.99:
REPORT "CHANGES IN VEGETATION FROM HEATHER TO HERBS AND GRASSES BY LIMING AND FERTILIZATION WITH RAW PHOSPHATE AND COPPER SULFATE, AND INFLUENCE ON MINERAL STATUS IN PLANTS AND SOIL, GJESDALEN IN JØLSTER, 1991-1996.

"Planteforsk Rapport 25/99 (authors Karl-Jan Erstad og Inger-Karin Steffensen, Sunnfjord Agr. Exp. Group) is written in Norwegian with English summary and headings of tables and figures.

At the mountain farm Gjesdalsstølen, 600 m above sea level in Jølster parish, Sogn and Fjordane county, a liming and fertilization experiment was carried out in 1991-96 to amend grazing land quality and to investigate soil changes in a heather area with an iron humus podzol. The experimental area was fenced to protect it against grazing animals.

In addition to zero treatments a calcitic liming material was added at 2 levels, 1 and 2 tons CaO equiv./ha, and P and Cu fertilizers at 1 level, 40 kg P/ha and 25 kg Cu/ha respectively.

Yields of harvested plants steadily increased by years, and a tendency was shown that parameters influencing this increase were the highest lime dose and the interaction moderate lime dose*P.

Botanical composition was clearly affected. All parameters except P alone revealed a significant influence. Molínia caerúlea L. vigorously advanced, and gained from the mineralized nitrogen. Deschámpsia flexuósa L. profitted from a balanced liming and fertilization, and also from unilateral supply of Cu and P. Nardus stricta L. is a modest plant and was gradually swept out by other species by amended nutrition. The same concerns Émpetrum nigrum L. which benefitted very little from the P interactions. Other Ericaceous shrubs like Vaccínium uliginósum L. and V. myrtíllus L. were not stimulated by lime and fertilizers, and in particular the latter responded negatively. Vaccínium vitis-idaéa L. which pops up in cleared forest areas and after fires, was incited by fertilization and during this period even by liming, even if it normally prefers acid soils. Callúna vulgáris L. was generally harmed by the treatments, but was also exposed to casual droughts and ageing at this time. Growth of mosses and lichens was hampered, particularly by increased liming and balanced fertilization.

Concerning plant chemical contents the uptake of P was stimulated by P fertilization and liming separately, and increased by years. The uptake of Cu was increased by Cu supply alone, and strongly counteracted by increased liming, but this effect diminished by time. There was an extensive co-precipitative interaction between Cu, Ca and phosphates forming Ca phosphates, Cu phosphates and carbonates, involving a range of chemical equilibria. Besides, the uptake of potassium and magnesium was disturbed by calcium antagonism.

In soil there were distinct chemical effects in the litter layer O_l, and the report presents graphs that exhibit the interactions. Both lime, phosphorus and copper showed strong effects, and the interactions between these measures, changes in general soil chemistry and the relation to biological activity was so profound that it could be measured in both humus layers. The changes were gradually perceived in deeper layers, too, and surprisingly the chemical influence was so fierce that the podzolization itself was stopped, and we could confirm the start of a cambisol cycle.

The Report can be ordered from the Norwegian Crop Research Institute Planteforsk Kvithamar forskingssenter or Rådgivande Agronomar AS (Consultative Agronomists).

16.07.99:
REPORT "CARBONATIZATION WITH CORAL LIME AS ALKALINE FILTERING MATERIAL. A PILOT PROJECT"

Rådgivande Agronomar Rapport 3/99 (authors Jon Brandt & Karl-Jan Erstad) is written in Norwegian with English summary and headings of tables and figures.

This report presents investigations of the suitability of different particle size groups of coral lime sand used as alkaline filtering materials for treatment of water intended for human consumption. The different particle size groups used were 0.56-1.15 mm, 1.15-2.0 mm og 2.0-3.0 mm respectively. In addition a limestone marble material was applied as a reference material (1.0-3.0 mm from the quarry Visnes Kalk- og Marmorbrudd AS).

The following investigations and experiments were carried out:

* Analyses of particle size distributions (sieving)

* Tests of flushing on virgin material to determine turbidity and suspended dry matter in flushed water.

* Filter expansion at varying flush velocity.

* Drinking water quality (pH, alkalinity, calcium and hardness) at varying CO₂ dose and EBCT (Empty bed contact time).

Coral lime sand is considered very suitable for carbonatization of drinking water in alkaline filters. Further recommendations are given in the report which could be purchased from Korall AS, N-7820 Spillum, or Rådgivande Agronomar AS (Consultative Agronomists).

02.07.99:
REPORT "IRON DEFICIENCY IN PEATLANDS AND RELATED SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN RUSSIA. A LITERATURE REVIEW" READY FOR DISTRIBUTION

This report, No. 1/1999 in our scientific series Rådgivande Agronomar Rapport, har appeared from our printoffice at last. Authors are Nikolai Yurievich Konovalov and Karl-Jan Erstad.

We have worked together with recent Russian literature, previously not translated into other languages, and which consider methods of soil analysis in Russia, characteristics of peaty soils and their classification, deficiency and supply of iron and efforts to improve iron status to peats. Russian science demonstrates a high standard and can provide new knowledge of soil and plant management to Norway and other countries with peatland management problems.

Karl- Jan Erstad