Effects of liming on yield,forage cation composition,and tetany potential of wheat in Kansas

Abstract

We studied the effects of liming on dry matter production, nutrient composition, and grain yields of wheat in field experiments conducted on two soil types at three locations during the 1976–77 and 1977–78 growing seasons. Lime sources were commercial agricultural lime, finely divided stack dust, and dolomitic limestone (which contained 10.6% Mg). Lime applied at 2,800 kg/ha in the 1976–77 and 10,750 kg/ha in the 1977–78 experiments provided Mg from the dolomite at rates of 300 and 1,140 kg/ha, respectively.

Soil pH was significantly increased by liming, but Mg saturation percentages were significantly greater only at the 1,140 kg/ha rate. Forage dry matter and grain yields were not increased by lime applied at the lower rate, but significant increases were found in dry‐matter production in the late fall and spring samplings of the 1977–78 experiment. Those increases in plant growth and dry matter production were probably due to reductions in the soluble Mn and Al concentrations in the soil. Forage N and P concentrations were generally not influenced by liming. Potassium concentrations in forage from the limed plots were usually equal to or greater than those in forage from unlimed plots. Calcitic limestone sources generally increased forage Ca concentrations, but liming with dolomite more often than not depressed Ca concentrations below levels found in the check plots. Dolomite, when applied at the 1,140 kg/ha rate, effectively increased the forage Mg concentration, although the concentration exceeded 0.2% only during the early growth stages. Liming generally showed no significant reduction in the tetany potential of the wheat forage as predicted by the equivalent ratio K/(Ca + Mg).     

Response of tall fescue to fertilizer placement at different levels of phosphorus,potassium, and soil pH 1

Fertilizer application, particularly nitrogen (N), is important in cool‐season grass forage production. Subsurface (knife) placement of N often has resulted in higher forage yield and N uptake of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) compared to surface‐broadcast fertilization, but further studies were needed to indicate whether soil pH, phosphorus (P), or potassium (K) modifies the response. Experiment I tested responses of forage yield and N and P concentration to N, P, and K amount and placement. Two types of fertilizer placement ‐ broadcast and knife ‐ were used with 13, 112, or 168 kg N; 0 or 19 kg P; and 0 or 37 kg K/ha in a factorial arrangement. Yields increased by 53% as N fertilization went from 13 to 112 kg/ha and by 69% as N increased from 13 to 168 kg N/ha. Forage yield was increased 26% from knife compared to broadcast fertilizer placement. P application increased forage production by 13%, but K application had no effect on yield. Forage N concentrations increased by 25% as N fertilization went from 13 to 112 kg/ha and by 38% as N increased from 13 to 168 kg N/ha. Effects of added P and fertilizer placement on N concentration often resulted in interactions among factors. Forage P generally was increased by added P, with some effects of interactions among N rate, P rate, and placement. In Experiment II, fescue responses to N placement were tested where different soil characteristics had been established by previous lime and fertility treatments. Forage yield, N concentration, and N uptake were highest where 9.36 Mg/ha of lime were applied as compared to the control. Previous fertility treatments had no significant (P<0.05) effect. When N was knifed, forage yield was related positively to available soil P but not to pH or K. Yield and forage N concentration and uptake were increased by 20, 11, and 33%, respectively, as a result of knife versus broadcast N application.     

Effect of Mg And Zn fertilization on soil test levels,ear leaf composition,and yields of corn in northern West Virginia

Abstract

A corn fertility study was conducted at two locations in northern West Virginia to determine the response of corn (Zea mays L.) to applied Mg and Zn on two soils testing low in Mg by the ammonium acetate and Baker tests and low in Zn by the Baker test. The study consisted of three rates of Mg (0, 112, and 224 kg/ha) and three rates of Zn (0, 3.36, and 6.72 kg/ha) applied in a factorial design. The soil at the Morgantown location was medium textured with a CEC of 22.4, and the soil at the Reedsville location was coarse textured with a CEC of 15.8. Yield responses to applied Mg were obtained only on the coarse textured soil at the Reedsville location where exchangeable Mg was less than 5% of the CEC and equilibrium Mg was less than 9.0 10 ^‐4M. No yield response to Zn was obtained at either location.     

Ryegrass forage yield and quality response to sulfur and nitrogen fertilizer on coastal plain soil

Abstract

Sulfur (S) deficiency has been reported in some upland soils of the southern United States and S application has improved forage quality on the low‐S soils. A field experiment was conducted for three years to determine ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) dry matter yield and forage quality response to S fertilization. Prilled elemental S was applied each year at two rates (0 and 45 kg S/ha) in combinations with three rates of nitrogen (N) (168, 224, and 280 kg/ha). Wet depositions of S in rain were monitored over the seasons. Sulfur fertilization generally did not increase seasonal dry matter yield and plant uptake of S. Nitrogen application generally increased dry matter yield and protein content during the season. Averaged over the three‐year period, however, forage yield and S uptake increased from 7.7 to 10.5 Mg/ha and 13.9 to 18.8 kg/ha, respectively, as N fertilization increased from the lowest to highest treatment rates. Forage dry matter for each harvest ranged from 0.6 to 2.2 Mg/ha, while S, protein, in vitro dry matter digestibility (TVDMD), and N/S ratio tended to decline seasonally from 2.5 to 1.8, 266 to 142, and 795 to 716 g/kg, and 17.8 to 11.9, respectively. Sulfur input from rainfall was small with a three‐year average of 5.8 kg/ha (±0.64 SE). In some locations of the southern United States, S may not be limiting even when applying high rates of N to high‐yielding forages which annually remove large quantities of S. Because of the lack of yield response from S application and low inputs of S from wet deposition, S from sources other than rainfall may have been considerable.     

Yield response curves of Dactylis glomerata L. to addition of phosphorus,nitrogen, potassium,and lime on an xeric heath soil of Tierra del Fuego

Abstract

We studied the response curves of Dactylis glomerata to addition of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and lime in presence of a range of added phosphorus (P) on an acid xeric heath soil (pH 4.3) of Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). The heath community developed on the soil has dominated by a 50% of cover of an evergreen dwarf shrub (Empetrum rubrum) of very little forage value. Addition of P alone or combined with any of amendments increased significantly the growth of Dactylis. In contrast, absence of P, even supplying 50 ppm of N or K, no increase in growth of Dactylis was detected. This suggested that P was the most important nutrient limiting the growth of forage plants in this heath soil. By fitting response curves, we studied three different aspects: the maximum and the minimum yield approached, and the slope of the response curve to reach the maximum yield. Increasing added P, the maximum yield reached was greatest for N addition, lowest for lime, and intermediate for K and P alone. The minimum yield (absence of added P) did not differ among treatments. Consequently, all response curves were fitted using a common value for the intercept. In addition, liming the soil in presence of added P decreased the slope of the response curve to reach maximum yield. This was mostly ascribed to a decrease of the effectiveness of added P by sorption of P onto the surface of lime applied.     

Effect of fertilization and irrigation upon NPK composition of corn leaves,on corn yields,and available k in soil

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) was grown for three consecutive years on Congaree loam to measure the effects of rates of N, P, and K fertilization and irrigation on the nutrient concentration of leaves, the level of available K in the soil, and on the yield of corn. Plant nutrients consisting of 0, 56, 140, 224, and 280 kg N/ha; 0, 15, 37.5, 60, and 75 kg P/ha, and 0, 28, 70, 112, and 140 kg K/ha were applied in a central composite rotatable design in each of the three years. All plant residue was removed each year when the corn was harvested, and the plots remained fallow during the winter months. One half of the experiment was irrigated when there was a 50% depletion of available soil moisture in the 0‐ to 46‐cm soil depth.

Leaf composition was affected by fertilization and irrigation. A rapid decrease in available soil K in the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth was evident the first year with all rates of added K. The decline in available soil K was unaffected by irrigation and levels of applied N and P.

There were consistent yield responses each year to added N, no response to added P, and a response to added K only during the second year.     

Preliminary studies on triticale,wheat, barley,and rye responses to lime and N.

Abstract

The lime and N requirements for triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) have not been established because of the relatively short history of the crop. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of lime and high N rates on triticale, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.) on Dickson silt loam (Typic Paleudult) and Decatur silty clay loam (Rhodic Paleudult) in 1974–1976. The soils had pH values of 4.9 and 5.5 with no lime and 5.4 and 5.8, respectively, when limed as recommended. The fertilizer rates were 112, 140, and 170 kg N/ha. Yields and N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, and B were determined in straw and grain. Liming the Dickson soil increased the straw yields of barley at 112 kg N/ha and grain yields of the cultivars generally at the 170 kg N/ha rate. Liming the Decatur soil did not have consistent effects on straw yields but increased the grain yields of the wheat and rye cultivars. Increasing N rate increased the straw yields of wheat on Dickson but decreased the grain yields of barley in the same soil with no lime. Nitrogen fertilization did not have consistent effects on the Decatur soil. The N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Mn compositions suggested that more differences occured at the species level than at the cultivar level.     

Effect of gypsum on soil potassium and magnesium status and growth of alfalfa

Abstract

Though surface‐applied gypsum has been shown to be useful in reducing the subsoil acidity syndrome, excessive application could reduce the availability of other essential cations in soil. This study was conducted to determine the effects of surface‐applied gypsum on the availability of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) in field soils. Field experiments were conducted on Davidson and Tifton series soils in the southeastern United States with 6 main ameliorant treatments (0, 2, 5, and 10 t gypsum/ha, soil profile mixed to 1 m without lime incorporation and, mixed with lime to 1‐m depth), and 2 levels of Mg (0 and 100 kg Mg/ha) and 4 levels of K (0, 125, 250, and 375 kg K/ha) in a split‐split plot configuration. Alfalfa was grown on the Tifton soil and sorghum on the Davidson soil. Yields of alfalfa and sorghum increased with 2 t gypsum/ha but were adversely affected above 5 t gypsum/ha. Gypsum amendment at 2 t/ha reduced topsoil exchangeable Mg and K in both soils. In the soil profile study, exchangeable Mg was reduced throughout the upper 52.5‐cm depth, while no reduction of K was observed below the 22.5‐cm depth in either soil. The study indicates that Mg is more susceptible to leaching loss than K after surface application of gypsum. It is also suggested that surface‐applied gypsum be used as a soil ameliorant along with proper management of Mg and K fertilizers.     

Pecan [Carya illinoensis (wangenh.) C. Koch] yield,leaf and soil analysis responses from different combinations of nitrogen and potassium application

Abstract

Nitrogen rates of 112 and 224 kg/ha and K rates of 0, 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg/ha were applied to young ‘Desirable’ trees annually in order to determine leaf concentrations for optimum pecan yield and to measure their effect on other leaf minerals and the resulting effect on soil analysis. Yield was not affected significantly by treatments within any individual year of 11 years; however, when data were combined over years, yield was greatest at the 56 kg/ha rate of K and decreased at lower and higher rates. The decrease in yield with increasing K rates was smaller for the high than for the low N rate. Doubling the N rate increased leaf N only slightly, but increased leaf Cu and reduced soil pH, Ca, and Mg. Increasing K application had very little effect on leaf N. This study indicates that a lower leaf analysis threshold for the sufficiency range of 0.75% for K and 2.50% for N would be satisfactory for ‘Desirable’.     

Soil chemical properties after long‐term n fertilization of bromegrass: Nitrogen rate

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilizers increase yield and quality of grass forage, and may also alter soil chemical properties. A field experiment was conducted in south‐central Alberta to determine the effect of long‐term application of ammonium nitrate to bromegrass on concentration and downward mobility of soluble NO₃‐N, extractable NH₄‐N, P, Ca, Mg, and K, and total C and N in a Thin Black Chernozemic loam soil. The fertilizer was applied annually in early spring for 16 years at 0 to 336 kg N/ha. There was little accumulation of NO₃‐N in the soil at N rates of 112 kg/ha or less. However, at rates higher than 112 kg N/ha there was accumulation of NO₃‐N in the 15–30 and 30–60 cm layers, but very little in the 90–120 cm depth. The NH₄‐N accumulated in the 0–5 cm layer when the fertilizer was applied at rates between 168 to 280 kg N/ha and in the 5–10 cm layer at N rates exceeding 280 kg/ha. There was a decline in extractable P in soil with N application up to 84 kg N/ha rate, while it increased with high N rates. The increasing amounts of applied N resulted in a decline in extractable soil Ca, Mg and K, and this decrease was more pronounced in the 0–5,5–10,10–15, and 15–30 cm layers for K, 0–5 and 5–10 cm layers for Ca, and 0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 cm layers for Mg. There was a build‐up of total C and N in the surface soil with increasing rate of applied N.     

Yield,forage quality,and nitrogen recovery rates of double‐cropped millet and ryegrass

Abstract

Pearl millet and annual ryegrass were continually doubled‐cropped on Olivier silt loam soil for seven years at six levels of N, applied as ammonium nitrate in three applications to millet and in two applications to ryegrass. Forage yields increased as N application rates increased. During seven years at the 0 and 448 kg/ha N rate, millet produced 35% and 95%, respectively, as much yield as it produced at the 800 kg/ha N rate, while comparable values for ryegrass were 19% and 83%. At 448 kg/ha of N the two grasses produced a combined yield of over 20 Mg/ha of dry forage per year. Ryegrass yields following millet were consistently lower than yields previously obtained at this site.

Nitrogen applications consistently increased concentrations of N, Ca, and Mg in both forage grasses, while effects on P and K were variable and S concentrations were unaffected. The amounts of all nutrients removed in the forages were increased as yields increased with N application rates. Nitrate‐N levels considered to be toxic to ruminant animals occurred only where N applications exceeded 170 kg/ha at any one time. In vitro digestibility of each grass was consistently increased by N applications.

The percentage of fertilizer N that was removed in the crops ranged from 66% to 68% for millet and from 35 to 52% for ryegrass as N applications increased up to 448 kg/ha. Residual ammonium and nitrate levels in the top 1.2 m of soil were not increased by N rates of 448 kg/ha or lower. At the 800 kg/ha N‐rate, the apparent N recovery rate decreased and residual ammonium and nitrate levels increased throughout the soil profile.     

Hybrid ryegrass response to acid soil treatment with calcitic and dolomitic lime

Abstract

Since ryegrass (Lolium sp.) is a widely grown cool‐season forage grass, its magnesium concentration is of special interest to ruminant livestock producers. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of calcitic or dolomitic lime addition on dry matter yield and mineral composition of hybrid ryegrass, Lolium (multiflorum x perenne x perenne) grown in eight acidic soils. Each soil received two levels of calcitic or dolomitic lime, L(C₁) and L(C₂) or L(D₁) and L(D₂), which raised pH to approximately 5.3, and 6.0. Dry matter yield response was obtained only in soils having an initial % Al saturation ≥59, % Mg saturation ≤10 and % Ca saturation ≤21. Only in one soil, which had an initial exchangeable Mg level of 0.05 cmol_c/kg of soil, was response to dolomitic lime higher than that obtained with calcitic lime. Magnesium concentration in dry matter was increased by both levels of dolomitic lime with the increase dependent on the rate used and on the initial level of exchangeable Mg. The average Mg concentration increased from 0.8 to 3.9 g/kg, from 1.6 to 3.6 g/kg, and from 2.6 to 3.9 g/kg, when ryegrass was grown in soils having low, medium, and high initial exchangeable Mg levels, respectively. Mg concentration in the ryegrass tended to be lower in the unlimed soils than when calcitic lime was used, 1.1 vs. 1.4 g/kg, when the soils had low to medium exchangeable Mg levels. The results suggest that if ryegrass is to be grown in acidic soils containing low to medium levels of exchangeable Mg, the use of dolomitic lime is desirable, even if no yield response to applied Mg is expected, to decrease the probability of the Mg deficiency disease, hypomagnesemia, in ruminant animals.     

Response of dryland wheat to ρ rates and placement methods

Abstract

In Morocco,response of dryland wheat (Triticum aestivuro) to ? has not been related to soil ? availability index. The objectives of the experiments reported were to determine the critical NaHCO₃‐extractable ? level in soils of Settat Province in Morocco and to compare the effect o‐f banding with broadcasting of concentrated superphosphate (CSP) for wheat, crops. Eighteen ?‐P factorial experiments were conducted on three different soil types (Rendolls, Caloixerolls and Chromoxererts) with different ? availability indexes and lime levels in 1985–86 and 1986–87. The ? rates were 0, 9, and 18 in 1985–86 and an additional 36 kg P/ha rate in 1986–87. The rainfall levels were 300 mm with an excellent distribution and 220 mm with a poor distribution in the above years, respectively. In the latter year, a P placement study was conducted on a Rendoll with a NaHCO₃‐P level of 4.5 mg/kg. For the placement study the rates were 0, 9, 18, 36, and 54 kg P/ha. The grain yield response to ? averaged 8% in the wet year and 40% in the drier year. The maximum yields obtained were close to 3 and 1 Mg/ha for the above years, respectively. A critical level of 5 mg/kg of NaHCO₃‐P was obtained, separating responsive from nonresponsive soils for a relative yield of 90%. The ? placement study showed that yield response to broadcast ? reached a plateau at 9 kg P/ha, but the response to banded ? continued up to the highest rate. This shows that the banding effect of CSP is more than a simple ? nutrition effect     

Effect of annual applications of pelletized dolomitic lime on soil chemical properties and grass productivity

Lime in pelletized form is potentially more convenient for farmers than ground limestone, as it can be applied using conventional fertilizer‐spreading equipment. Pelletized lime is intended to maintain an optimum soil pH when applied annually at a rate of 350 kg lime/ha/yr. Interactions between lime and N fertilizer rate were examined by applying 0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 kg N/ha/yr (as calcium ammonium nitrate) in combination with 0, 175, 350 and 525 kg pelletized dolomitic lime/ha/yr over 3 yr to a permanent grassland sward used for silage production in County Down, Northern Ireland. Equal rates of ground lime, from the same source as the pelletized lime, were applied as a comparison. Effects on soil chemical properties, grass dry matter (DM) yield and herbage nutrient removal were examined. Lime maintained or slightly increased the soil pH, particularly in the top 2.5 cm of the profile, but there was no difference in the performance of pelletized lime compared to ground lime in any of the parameters measured. Lime had no significant effect on grass DM yield or grass quality; however, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in yield at the first cut, particularly in year 2, when the highest lime rate (525 kg lime/ha/yr) was applied in the absence of N fertilizer. The dolomitic nature of the lime (11% Mg) resulted in significant (P < 0.001) increases in soil and herbage magnesium levels, and this could be beneficial for reducing the incidence of grass tetany in grazing animals. The P content of the herbage was also significantly higher in plots receiving lime, which suggests that lime may have enhanced the mineralization of P or stimulated root growth.     

Potassium,magnesium, and irrigation effects on peanuts grown on two soils

Abstract

Research data are limited on K and Wg requirements of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown on sandy soils either with or without irrigation. Purposes of this study were (1) to determine Mg, K, and irrigation effects on yield, sound mature kernels (SMK's), and diseases of ‘Florunner’ peanuts grown on two sandy soils and (2) to determine sufficient amounts of Mg and K in peanut leaves and soils. Field experiments were conducted for three years on a Lakeland sand (thermic, coated Typic Quartzipsainments) and a Fuquay loamy sand (siliceous, thermic, Arenic Plinthic Paleudults). Both soils initially tested low in Mehlich 1 extractable K and Mg, but Lakeland was lower than Fuquay in both K and Mg. Factorial treatments were 0, 67, 67 (split into three applications), and 134 kg Mg/ha as MgS0₄ and 0, 56, 112, and 224 kg K/ha as KC1.

Neither irrigation, K, nor Mg treatment affected number of diseased plants. (Sclerotium rolfsii) or pod rot on either soil. Also, yield and % SMK's were not affected by any treatment any year on Fuquay soil. On Lakeland soil, yields were increased by irrigation 60.3% in 1980 and 11.0% in 1982, by K rates of 56 kg/ha or more each year, and by Mg rates of 67 kg/ha or more in 1978 and 1982. Yields (3‐yr average) were increased 14.7% by Mg with K and 30.7% by K with Mg. Magnesium plus K increased yields 69.3% over the control. Treatments had no consistent effects on % SMK's. Concentrations of K and Mg in leaves and soils were increased by increased rates of application but were not affected by irrigation. Minimum sufficiency levels for maximum yield were 10 and 2.0 g/kg for leaf K and Mg and 20 and 11 ng/kg for soil K and Mg (0 to 30 cm depth), respectively.     

Yield response of soybeans to P and K fertilization as correlated with soil extractable and tissue nutritional levels

Abstract

Bragg soybeans [Glycine max. (L. ) Merill] were grown under field conditions near Sanford, Florida on a tile‐drained Immokalee fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Arenic Haplaquod). The objectives were: 1) to assess the K and P fertilizer requirements of soybeans grown in central Florida 2) to correlate soil and tissue nutritional levels with extractable soil nutrients and 3) to assess the influence of K application time on yield.

Experimental treatments were four K rates (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg K/ha), three P rates (0, 25, and 50 kg P/ha), and two sidedress K rates (0 and 50 kg K/ha) at early bloom. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated four times.

Yield increased with each increase in applied K. Statistical maximum yield was obtained on plots which contained 103 ppm double‐acid extractable K during the pod‐filling stage of growth. Tissue K at early bloom exceeded 2.85% at maximum statistical yield. Potassium applied broadcast at early bloom did not significantly influence yield.

This soil contained approximately 390 ppm double‐acid extractable P prior to P application. No significant yield response to applied P was observed, indicating that the original extractable P content of the soil was adequate for the yield level obtained.

The quadratic regression of the ratio equivalents of double‐acid extractable K:Ca + Mg on the same ratio for the plant tissue is highly significant. This expression was a good predictor of tissue accumulation of these nutrients in that the coefficient for determination was 0.68.     

Stand recovery of coastal bermudagrass following stand loss induced by potassium deficiency

Abstract

‘Coastal’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) stand loss resulting from K deficiency has been reported. The recovery of this perennial grass from K deficiency could very well take a significant time after the deficiency is corrected. Experiments were conducted on two soils, Darco (Grossarenic Paleudult; loamy, siliceous, thermic) and Cuthbert (Typic Hapludult; clayey, mixed, thermic). Previous P and K factorial rate studies had been conducted on the experimental sites. Annual K and P fertility rates used on prior studies were 0, 112, and 224 kg/ha K and 0 to 136 kg/ha P. These earlier treatments were overlaid with rates of 112 and 224 kg/ha of P and K, respectively. Data were taken for yield, stem length, stem weight, and rhizome production. Yield was found to be related directly to stand. Yield was also related to plant height under severe stand loss. Yield loss was not related to stem weight. Rhizome production recovered after two years. Yield had recovered by the end of the first year.     

Yield response of corn to lime and urea application on an acidic tropical soil

Abstract

The effects of liming (7 500 kg CaCO₃/ha) and rate of urea application (0,50,100, and 200 kg N/ha) and its placement at the surface or at 5 cm depth on grain yield and nutrient uptake by corn grown on an acidic tropical soil (Fluventic Eutropept) were studied. Liming significantly increased grain yield, N uptake, and P and K uptake although Ca and Mg uptake, generally, were unaffected. Sub‐surface application of urea increased N uptake only. Yield response to applied N was observed up to 50 kg N/ha when limed but at all rates in the absence of liming. It therefore, reduced the fertilizer N requirement for optimum grain yield. Liming the acidic soil also reduced exchangeable Al but increased nitrification rate and available P in the soil profile (at least up to 0.6 m depth).     

Effect of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium on yields,protein cohtents and otrient levels in soybeans,field peas and fababeans

Abstract

Soybeans, Glycine max (L.) Merr., field peas, Plsum sativum I., and fababeans, Vicia faba L., were each grown at either three or four locations. Fertilizer treatments consisted of three rates of N, three of P and three of K applied in all possible combinations.

In general fertilizers had minimal effects on yields and on the percentages of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaf tissue. The most consistent effect was a decrease in leaf Mg with application of increasing; rates of K.

Average yields at different locations ranged from 1735–2997 kg/ha for soybeans, 2940–3246 kg/ha for field peas and 1569—4435 kg/ha for fababeans. The results suggest, however, that factors other than soil chemical properties probably had an appreciable effect on yields.     

Effects of HC1 acid and lime amendments on soil ph and extractable Ca and Mg in a sandy soil

Abstract

High vater table sandy soils present special problems when establishing soil pH variables under field conditions. In order to examine the response of a coarse‐textured soil to lime and HC1 acid treatments, data are reported for soil pH and extractable Ca and Mg for a field experiment where Mn treatments on soybeans was the primary objective. Three treatments included HC1 acid, control, and lime. Acid (742 liters/ha 3N HC1) was added only at the beginning of the experiment but dolomitic lime treatments were added each year (2240, 2740, and 2900 kg/ha). The lime and acid were applied to the soil surface and incorporated to a depth of 10 to 13 cm. Soil samples were taken every 2 to 3 months at 3 depths (0 to 15, 15 to 30, and 30 to 45 cm) and analyzed for pH and extractable Ca and Mg. Acid treatment decreased the pH by 0.2 units below the untreated soil at the 0 to 30 cm depth and the effect lasted the entire 3 years of the study. Calcium values were lowered only slightly by the acid treatment. Lime additions caused steady increases in soil Ca. Magnesium values increased several months after each of the first and second lime applications. Lime raised the subsoil (30 to 45 cm) pH after 4 to 6 months. Seasonal variations in pH were very wide with the untreated soil pH varying from 6.1 to 6.8. The high pH level of 7.0 was not maintained for an entire season until the third year of the experiment. Soil pH as well as extractable Ca and Mg showed fluctuations that were the result of seasonal variations and soil moisture content at the time of sampling. Soil pH variables on a sandy soil should be established at least a year in advance of starting an experiment and must be closely monitored in order to maintain the desired pH levels.