CAMBIOS QU\ucdMICOS CAUSADOS POR ENCALADO EN SUELOS TROPICALES

Fueron aplicados cuatro niveles de tratamiento (0,5 - 1,0 - 1,5 y 2,0 meq Ca/100 g suelo) a cuatro ultisoles \ue1cidos. Las evaluaciones fueron realizadas para determinar el tratamiento m\ue1s eficiente para neutralizar el aluminio cambiable. Se utiliz\uf3 carbonato de calcio (grado reactivo) como material de encalado. Los efectos del encalado, fueron evaluados al determinar los cambios en las caracter\uedsticas qu\uedmicas en cada uno de ios suelos a 3,6 y 9 semanas despu\ue9s de la aplicaci\uf3n. ABSTRACT Four treatment lev\ue9is (0.5,1.0,1.5 and 2.0 meq. Ca/100 g. soil) were applied to four ultisol acid soils. Evaluations were designed to determine the most efficient treatment for neutralizing the exchangeable aluminum. Calcium carbonate (reagent grade) was used as liming material. Liming effects were evaluated by determining the changes in chemical characteristcs in each one of soils at 3,6 and 9 weeks after application. Increases in soil pH and calcium content were observed with an increase of treatment lev\ue9is. Magnesium decreased with the time after application. Exchangeable aluminum was significantly decreased at low lev\ue9is of calcium carbonate. We found an exchangeable aluminum valu\ue9 of 0.200 meq/lOOg. soil as an optimal level that be reached in liming soils, corresponding to soil pH val\ufaes near 5.3 and a time period incubation of six week. Additional index words: Calcium carbonate, soil pH, exchangeable alumi\uadnum, liming.