SOIL PH ADJUSTMENT WITH TOP-DRESSED LIMING MATERIALS
Agronomy & Pest Management
Wayne Flanary
Field Specialist in Agronomy
University of Missouri Extension
St. Joseph
Abstract
Flanary,* W.E.1, Crawford, J.J.W.2, Chapple, R.W.3\r\n\r\n1. Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Holt County, Oregon, Missouri 64473\r\n2. Farm Coordinator, University of Missouri Extension, Atchison County, Rockport, Missouri 64482\r\n3. Retired Ag Engineer, University of Missouri Extension, Atchison County, Rockport, Missouri 64482\r\n\r\n No-till planting is extensively used in Northwest Missouri to reduce soil erosion and, as a result, the incorporation of liming materials is limited. Two treatments of agricultural lime with an Effective Neutralizing Material (ENM) of 377 per ton were applied at rates of 6 tons and 12 tons per acre. Pelletized lime with an ENM of 580 was applied annually at a rate of 200 pounds of material per acre. These treatments were applied to the soil surface without incorporation in a complete randomized block design experiment. The change in soil pH was measured using the pHs test and one-inch depth core soil samples were tested to a depth of six inches. Soil pHs measurements were taken 12, 24 and 48 months after treatment applications. The University of Missouri lime recommendation of six tons produced a pHs change two inches deep in the soil at 12 months. At 48 months, lime had moved to six inch depth. The 12 ton lime application rate increased the rate of pHs adjustment compared to 6 ton. The pelletized lime failed to adjust the pHs as a limited amount of ENM was applied. The research was used to educate growers that liming materials can be successfully surface applied and adjust soil pH.The information was shared during 2005, 2006 and 2008 Graves-Chapple Farm field days with total attendance of 427 participants.
Authors: Flanary, W.E.
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Flanary, W.E. Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri Extension, Missouri, 64473