Effect of gypsum on the chemical characteristics of an Oxisol from the Colombian Orinoquia cultivated with Tahiti acid lime

The Tahiti acid lime [Citrus latifolia (Yu Tanaka) Tanaka] is one of the citrus species with production potential for domestic consumption and export in the Eastern plains of Colombia. With purpose to evaluate the effects of the use of agricultural gypsum on the chemical properties, absorption of nutrients and production of fruits of Tahiti lime, was carried an experiment in an Oxisol soil of high terrace of the Llanero Foothills. The treatments consisted of five levels of gypsum (0.5 - 1.0 - 1.5 - 2.0 and 2.5 t ha-1). Was used a design random complete block with four repetitions. The fruit production was evaluated during five consecutive years and in the sixth year; the soil chemical analysis and foliar analysis were carried. A positive effect was found on the increase in the content and distribution of Ca, Mg, and S in the soil profile, decrease in interchangeable acidity and increase in pH with the increasing applications of agricultural gypsum. The gypsum applications increased the absorption of Ca and S and reduced the foliar levels of N, K, Mg and Zn, unchanged the productivity of the crop. The highest accumulated fruit production (141.41 t ha-1) was obtained with the application of 2.5 t ha-1 of gypsum. The positive effects of the agricultural gypsum in the distribution of bases in the soil, in the reduction of the acidity and the increase of the pH in depth were demonstrated, improving the productivity of Tahiti lime.