British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK.
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.
Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 14;11(1):20420. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98735-w.
Magnesium (Mg) is essential for animal health. Low Mg status (hypomagnesaemia) can be potentially fatal in ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and is widespread in Europe with economic impacts on farming. The application of Mg-rich agricultural lime products can help to ensure pasture forage consumed by animals contains sufficient Mg and, in areas of low pH, has the dual benefit of reducing soil acidity to levels best suited for grass production. This aim of this study was to determine if Mg-rich lime products could be used in a more effective manner in agricultural production systems. Potential resources of carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone and chalk) in the UK, and their Mg:Ca status were identified, using datasets from the British Geological Survey (BGS). These data were combined with the locations of agricultural lime quarries, and areas where soils are likely to be deficient in Mg and/or require liming. Areas of potential demand for Mg-rich agricultural lime include areas in south east Wales, the Midlands and North East England. Although, areas where this may be an effective solution to low soil Mg values are restricted by the availability of suitable products. Conversely, areas of low soil pH in England and Wales are often found close to quarries with the ability to supply high Ca limes, suggesting that the low rates of lime use and liming is not due to supply factors. This study provides information that can help to guide on-farm decision making for use of Mg-rich and other lime resources. This could be used in conjunction with other options to reduce risks of Mg deficiency in livestock, and improve soil pH.
镁（Mg）对动物健康至关重要。低镁状态（低镁血症）在反刍动物（如牛和羊）中可能是致命的，在欧洲很普遍，对农业经济有影响。应用富含镁的农业石灰产品有助于确保动物食用的牧场草料含有足够的镁，在 pH 值较低的地区，还具有降低土壤酸度至最适合草类生产水平的双重益处。本研究的目的是确定是否可以更有效地在农业生产系统中使用富含镁的石灰产品。利用英国地质调查局（BGS）的数据集，确定了英国潜在的碳酸盐岩（石灰岩、白云岩和白垩）资源及其 Mg:Ca 状况。这些数据与农业石灰矿的位置以及可能缺乏镁和/或需要石灰的土壤区域相结合。可能需要富含镁的农业石灰的地区包括威尔士东南部、中部和英格兰东北部。尽管如此，由于缺乏合适的产品，能够有效解决低土壤镁值问题的地区受到限制。相反，英格兰和威尔士的低土壤 pH 值地区通常靠近能够供应高钙石灰的采石场，这表明石灰使用和石灰施用率低并不是由于供应因素造成的。本研究提供了有助于指导农场决策的信息，以便使用富含镁和其他石灰资源。这可以与其他减少牲畜镁缺乏风险和提高土壤 pH 值的方法结合使用。
