The benefits of liming acidic or calcium (Ca)-deficient soils for soil structure and
fertility are well documented. However, little is known about the effect of liming
nearly neutral loess soils – lacking Ca – on interactions between soil nutrients. Over a
2-year period, 62 field trials were conducted in Germany and Austria with three
treatments (0, 3 and 12 t CaO ha−1) on slightly acidic loess soils. Soil samples from
the top soil layer were taken 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks after liming. In addition to the
pHCaCl2, the phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and Ca contents were analysed using
electro-ultrafiltration (EUF). The application of lime increased the pH in average from
6.6 up to 7.0 and 7.2, but did not decrease EUF extractable P and K below the level of
untreated control. Contrary to our expectations, EUF extractable P increased 4 weeks
after liming in the treatment with 3 t CaO ha−1. At the end of incubation period,
24 weeks after liming, the EUF extractable K in treatment 12 t CaO ha−1 remained still
1.3 mg K 100 g−1 soil above the untreated control.