Year: 1966
Type: article
Abstract: The main effects and interactions of lime, mono‐calcium phosphate, sulphur, potassium chloride, sodium molybdate, copper carbonate, magnesium carbonate, and borax on irrigated lucerne cut for hay were studied on Lismore shallow stony silt loam over a period of 10 years. In most years greatest responses in total annual yields were to sulphur (S), followed by high lime (HL), potassium chloride (K), high mono‐calcium phosphate (HP), and sodium molybdate (Mo), in that order. The relative importance of K increased in later years. A significant response to copper carbonate (Cu) was found only in the first year, and to magnesium carbonate (Mg) and borax (B) only in a few cuts. In the last two years HL, S, K, and Mo increased, and HP decreased, the percentage of lucerne in the mown herbage. All treatments significantly increased levels of the applied nutrients in plant tissues. Significant main effects of treatments on other nutrient levels in the herbage, noted in more than one cut, were as follows: (a) positive: HL on nitrogen, sulphur, and molybdenum; HP on manganese and magnesium; S on nitrogen, sodium, and copper; and K on manganese; (b) negative: HL on potassium, manganese, and magnesium; HP on copper; S on phosphorus, molybdenum, and manganese; K on nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, molybdenum, copper, and magnesium; and Mg on manganese. Highly significant positive treatment interactions were: SK on potassium levels, LMo on molybdenum; and LCu, PCu, and SCu on copper; and negative treatment interactions were LMo and SK on sodium and LS, and SMo on molybdenum levels. HL raised soil pH and soil test levels of calcium and phosphorus, but decreased potassium levels; HP increased calcium and phosphorus, but decreased potassium; S lowered pH, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium; K increased soil potassium, but decreased pH, calcium, and phosphorus; Mg raised pH and B increased soil phosphorus levels. Lime, phosphate, sulphur, potash, and molybdenum are all needed to maintain high production of irrigated lucerne on this soil when all herbage is cut and removed.
Authors: P. B. Harris, K. J. McNaught, P. B. Lynch
Institution: United States Department of Agriculture
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2013483863