FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ANNUAL RYEGRASS YIELD RESPONSE TO LIMESTONE Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Quantifying the effects of soil acidity on plant growth remains a challenging research topic as numerous soil and plant growth factors are influenced by pH and lime. In the field, annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. Marshall) responded positively to the application of 3.8 Mg lime/ha on a strongly acid (pH 4.7) Lilbert loamy fine sand (loamy, siliceous, thermic, arenic Plinthic Paleudult) over three growing seasons. Dry matter yield in some cuttings, however, was better correlated with soil Al, P, Ca, Mg, and K than with pH. A greenhouse study was undertaken to quantitatively determine the effects of these five minerals plus Mo on ryegrass yield in limed and unlimed Lilbert soil material. Three ryegrass cuttings were obtained from unlimed (pH 4.8) or limed (1000 mg CaCO3/kg) Lilbert soil which was also amended with five rates of Ca, K, Mg, Al, P, and Mo in combinations stipulated by central composite design methodology. Response surface models that fit yield to the applied treatments and soil test data were complex because all factors and many interactions were significant. Furthermore, the models were transformed as the plants matured and element. 1993, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

published proceedings

  • COMMUNICATIONS IN SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT ANALYSIS

author list (cited authors)

  • HILLARD, J. B., HABY, V. A., HONS, F. M., HUSSEY, M. A., & GATES, C. E.

citation count

  • 7

complete list of authors

  • HILLARD, JB||HABY, VA||HONS, FM||HUSSEY, MA||GATES, CE

publication date

  • January 1993