DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/27.3.5041
Original scientific paper
Strategic liming for sustainable forage production on acidic alluvial soil
2026, 27 (3) p. 868-880
Dalibor TOMIĆ, Vladeta STEVOVIĆ
Abstract
The objective of this long-term field study was to evaluate the impact of soil liming on the species interactions, productivity and ecological stability of a tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) mixture, with the aim of supporting the development of sustainable forage management systems. The experiment was conducted from 2014 to 2020 on acidic alluvial soil in Čačak, Serbia, using a randomized block design with three liming treatments: control (A1), 3 t/ha CaO (A2), and 6 t/ha CaO (A3). Results demonstrated that pre-sowing liming significantly improved forage and hay yields, increased the proportion of red clover in the plant community, and reduced weed proportion, particularly under favorable climatic conditions. Liming also mitigated drought-induced adverse effects, with the most pronounced benefits observed during the second and third production years. Residual effects persisted for up to seven years, indicating long-term agronomic value. The crop response was governed by the interaction between lime rate, rainfall distribution, and species developmental stages. The study revealed complex, non-linear responses to liming. Results underscore the role of liming not only as a corrective measure for soil acidity but as a strategic agroecological intervention for establishing stable and low-input forage systems, contributing to the restoration of degraded soils and the advancement of sustainable agriculture.
Keywords
liming, red clover, sustainable management systems, tall fescue
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