As stated above because of the possible existence of interactive
priming effects of lime,mulch and native soil C in relation to C mineralization,
we were unable to separate the effects of lime and mulch derived
C in the treatments where lime and mulch additions were
combined (S + M + L and S + M + 2 L). As such, we were unable
to test if lime dissolution was enhanced by mulch addition (the first
part of our first hypothesis). Nevertheless, the mulch addition may
have had two effects: 1) mulch may have increased the retention of
moisture thereby increasing the dissolution of lime and, 2) mulch
may have increased pH, due to the presence of alkaline contents or
proton consumption capacity