The objective of the work was to study the behavior of the base saturation method, related to the amount of lime and its effect on chemical attributes of an Ultisol and yield and of orange crop calcium and magnesium contents in leaf. The experiment was designed in a completely randomized block with four treatments, six replications and four plants per plot. Treatments were: 1. Soil under natural condition; 2. 40%; 3. 60%; and 4. 80% base saturation, corresponding to final lime levels of 2.1; 5.5 and 9.5 Mg ha-1. The amount of lime calculated by the base saturation method was not sufficient to increase base saturation to treatments levels in 0 - 0.2 m depth and additional applications were necessary. The liming effect was more pronounced in the 0-0.1m layer. Liming increased pH, base saturation, Ca2+, Mg2+ and decreased Al3+ and (H+Al). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) at pH7, obtained by base summation plus (H+Al) decreased with lime levels. Lime increased Mg leaf content but had no influence on yield.
liming methods; depth of application; coastal tableland soil
