Lime and Micronutrient Amendments for Winter and Spring Pea Production in Eastern Washington
Agronomy & Pest Management
Rachel Wieme
Washington State University
Walla Walla
Abstract
Soil acidification and micronutrient depletion are increasingly common problems in the inland Pacific Northwest. These widespread issues reduce the production, profitability, and nutritional quality of crops, especially pulses which provide important rotational benefits to the region’s cropping system. Eastern Washington soils are also commonly low in levels of micronutrients such as boron, zinc, and copper. Low pH and micronutrient imbalances will both reduce the N-fixation of pulses, negatively impacting rotational benefits, nutrient content and the marketability and profitability of those crops in more lucrative food markets. This study evaluates management and environment interactions with multiple varieties of winter and spring peas for grain quality and yield in acidic versus amended soils in three locations in Eastern WA. Soil amendment treatments were a factorial design: lime, micronutrients, both lime and micronutrients, and an untreated control. Amendments included 1.3 ton of microprilled lime and soil applications of liquid micronutrients (Boron 1.1 lb/ac, Zinc 1.1 lb/ac, Copper 0.8lb/acre) applied prior to fall seeding. Pea yield, soil quality, and pea quality results from two years are presented: Soil pH increased in the surface (0-3”) layer within the first season after lime application in both iterations of the trial; no soil pH changes were detected in the 3-6” or 6-12” layers in the first year. Micronutrient treatments increased the levels of soil boron in the 0-3” soil at all locations, and zinc at locations other than one location already above response threshold. Furthermore, nutrient content of peas grown under these amended and unamended soils were analyzed, with a focus on nutrients of interest for marketing these new varieties of peas for human food markets (e.g. protein, Mg, Fe, Zn, Se). This study will provide important information for growers looking to diversify the standard rotations for the region, and capitalize on economic opportunities for alternative crop markets.
Authors: Rachel Wieme, Renan Uhdre, Lynne Carpenter-Boggs
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Rachel Wieme Assistant Professor & Regional Extension Agronomist, Washington State University Extension , Washington, 99362
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Renan Uhdre Assistant Professor, Washington State University, Washington, 99164
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Lynne Carpenter-Boggs Professor, Washington State University, Washington, 99164