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Volume 14
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10.3390/plants14233613
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Integrated Soil Amendments Alleviate Subsoil Acidification and Enhance Ponkan Seedling Growth in a Column Experiment

by
Jiacheng Zhang
,
Xiaoya Duan
,
Pengxiao Sun
,
Fei Zheng
,
Xiaochuan Ma
,
Yuan Yu
,
Yan Li
and
Ping Wang
*
Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Genetics, Breeding and Multiple Utilization of Crops, Institute of Genetics and Breeding in Horticultural Plants, College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Plants 2025, 14(23), 3613; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233613
Submission received: 29 October 2025 / Revised: 22 November 2025 / Accepted: 24 November 2025 / Published: 26 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phosphorus and pH Management in Soil–Plant Systems)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The ponkan (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Ponkan), an important citrus crop, is increasingly threatened by soil acidification. This study evaluated the efficacy of various soil amendments, including lime alone (L), lime with gypsum and organic fertilizer (LGOF), lime plus K2CO3 (LK), and lime with chicken manure ash (LCMA), in mitigating soil acidification and improving ponkan seedling growth. Surface-applied lime raised topsoil pH and acid buffering capacity while reducing exchangeable Al. However, combined amendments (LGOF, LK, LCMA) more effectively alleviated acidity throughout the soil profile. They significantly increased pH and buffering capacity, decreased exchangeable H and Al in the 20–40 cm layer, and elevated exchangeable base cations (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+). These changes reduced Al content in roots, stems, and leaves, promoted deeper root growth, and increased biomass and nutrient uptake (N, P, K). Physiologically, combined amendments enhanced photosynthetic performance (chlorophyll, Pn, ΦPSII) and increased activity of key metabolic enzymes (Rubisco, SS, SPS, NR, GS), promoting sucrose, starch, and protein accumulation. LK rapidly raised subsoil pH and potassium levels, ideal for K-deficient orchards. LGOF and LCMA improved overall fertility by supplying Ca and Mg, with LGOF additionally enhancing soil structure in poorly structured acidic soils.
Keywords: soil acidification; aluminum toxicity; soil amendments; deep soil; ponkan; growth; photosynthesis; carbon and nitrogen metabolism soil acidification; aluminum toxicity; soil amendments; deep soil; ponkan; growth; photosynthesis; carbon and nitrogen metabolism

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Zhang, J.; Duan, X.; Sun, P.; Zheng, F.; Ma, X.; Yu, Y.; Li, Y.; Wang, P. Integrated Soil Amendments Alleviate Subsoil Acidification and Enhance Ponkan Seedling Growth in a Column Experiment. Plants 2025, 14, 3613. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233613

AMA Style

Zhang J, Duan X, Sun P, Zheng F, Ma X, Yu Y, Li Y, Wang P. Integrated Soil Amendments Alleviate Subsoil Acidification and Enhance Ponkan Seedling Growth in a Column Experiment. Plants. 2025; 14(23):3613. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233613

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhang, Jiacheng, Xiaoya Duan, Pengxiao Sun, Fei Zheng, Xiaochuan Ma, Yuan Yu, Yan Li, and Ping Wang. 2025. "Integrated Soil Amendments Alleviate Subsoil Acidification and Enhance Ponkan Seedling Growth in a Column Experiment" Plants 14, no. 23: 3613. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233613

APA Style

Zhang, J., Duan, X., Sun, P., Zheng, F., Ma, X., Yu, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, P. (2025). Integrated Soil Amendments Alleviate Subsoil Acidification and Enhance Ponkan Seedling Growth in a Column Experiment. Plants, 14(23), 3613. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14233613

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