Abstract
Forage barley dry matter yield and quality, as well as soil pH, Al, and Mn were monitored in response to P, K, and lime application on a newly cleared Typic Cryorthod (Orthid Podzol). The overall yearly yield level was affected by precipitation. Without liming soil acidification occurred after three years of production. The liming rate of 2.2 Mg.ha−1 was found optimal for maintaining initial pH levels (5.66) and increasing forage barley yields. It was also found optimum for K and P utilization for these first years of production. Soil pH dropped an average of 0.33 units over the three years on unlimed P plots and 0.46 units over 4 years on K plots. Phosphorus and K fertilization increased N utilization and resulted in decreased soil acidification.
Phosphorus availability was greater in the first year of cropping than in subsequent years, this was likely due to the effects of higher available moisture, liming release of native P, and effects of initial fertilization. There was a 148% increase in total dry matter yield and an 85% increase in protein yield of forage barley with P application. Liming increased total forage barley yields an average of 69% and total protein yields 48%. Reduced barley yields in unlimed plots were due to low soil pH. After two years of cultivation, unlimed plots contained exchangeable Al and soluble Mn levels reported toxic for other soils. The higher liming rates of 4.4 and 6.6 Mg.ha−1 reduced soluble Mn to near critically low levels. soil Al and Mn were highly correlated to pH. Soil exchangeable Al, Mn, and soluble Mn along with tissue Al were inversely correlated to percentage yield.
The average yield respone to three levels of applied K, increased from zero initially to 67% by the fourth year. Total dry-matter production increased 32% and total protein yield increased an average of 32% and total protein yield increased an average of 15% with K fertilization over four years. About 60% of the yield response occurred between the 0 and 22kg K.ha−1 rates. Initial soil exchangeable K levels were not maintained even at the highest 66kg K.ha−1 treatment. Soil exchangeable Al and soluble Mn were elevated with dropping pH. Soil K reserves and resupply of exchangeable K in these soils over the long term will be an important factor in crop production.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acquaye DK and MacLean AJ 1965 Influence of form and mode of nitrogen fertilizer application on the availability of soil and fertilizer potassium. Can. J. Soil Sci. 46, 23–28.
Adams F and Wear JI 1957 Managanese toxicity and soil acidity relation to crinkle leaf in cotton. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 22, 305–308.
Barnhisel R and Bertsch PM 1982 Exchangeable aluminum: extraction with unbuffered salts.In Methods of Soil Analysis, Monograph 9, part 2, pp 282–283. American Society of Agronomy, Madison, WI.
Chapman HD, Pratt P 1961 Methods of Analysis for Soils, Plants, and Waters. University of California Div. of Agric. Sciences, Riverside, 70 p.
Hoyt PB and Henning AMF 1982 Acidification of fertilizers and longevity of lime applications in the Peace River region. Can. J. Soil Sci. 62, 155–163.
Hoyt PB, Henning AMF and Dobbs JL 1966 Response of barley and alfalfa to liming of Solonetzic, Podzolic and Gleysolic soils of the Peace River region. Can. J. Soil Sci. 47, 15–21.
Hoyt PB and Nyborg M 1971a Toxic metals in acid soil: estimation of plant-available aluminum. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 35, 236–240.
Hoyt PB and Nyborg M 1971b Toxic metals in acid soil: II. estimation of plant-available manganese. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 35, 241–244.
Hoyt PB and Nyborg M 1972 Use of dilute calcium chloride for the extraction of plant-available aluminum and manganese from acid soil. Can. J. Soil Sci. 52, 163–167.
Hoyt PB and Webber MD 1974 Rapid measurement of plantavailable aluminum and manganese in acid Canadian soils. Can. J. Soil Sci. 54, 53–61.
Isaac RA and Johnson WC 1976 Determination of total nitrogen in plant tissue using a block digestor. J. AOAC 59, 98–100.
Laughlin WM 1974 Barley response to phosphorus and lime influence on Engmo timothy yield and mineral compositon of the lower Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. Circ. 38 Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks USA.
Neehan M 1960 The effect of soil acidity on the growth of cereals with particular reference to the differential reaction of varieties thereto. Plant and Soil 12, 324–338.
Ping CL and Michaelson GJ 1986 Phosphorus sorption by major agricultural soils of Alaska. Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 17, 299–320.
Rieger S 1983 The Genesis and Classification of cold Soils. Academic Press, New York.
Schalscha EB, Pratt PF and DeAndrade L 1975 Potassiumcalcium exchange equilibria in volcanic-ash soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. Proc. 39, 1069–1072.
Sherman GD, McHargue JS and Hodgkiss NS 1942 Determination of active manganese in soil. Soil Sci. 32, 254–257.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Michaelson, C.J., Ping, C.L. Effects of P, K, and liming on soil pH, Al, Mn, K, and forage barley dry matter yield and quality for a newly-cleared Cryorthod. Plant Soil 104, 155–161 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372527
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02372527