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Yields of Cotton and Other Crops as Affected by Applications of Sulfuric Acid in Irrigation Water¹

ABSTRACT

Effects of sulfuric acid on crop yields and on some physical and chemical properties of a calcareous soil were investigated in a field experiment from 1947 through 1952. On cotton plots, the treatments consisted of applications of irrigation water containing no acid (pH 8.3), water acidified to pH 6, and water acidified to pH 2.3. Cotton was grown five season followed by sesbania the sixth season. A test on alfalfa was established using irrigation water not acidified and water acidified to pH 4. Alfalfa was grown for 3 years. The fourth year the alfalfa was plowed under and a crop of corn was raised.

Cotton yields on the acid plots relative to the checks became progressively higher (with two exceptions) from one year to the next; however, in only one year (1950) were differences in yield statistically significant. With sesbania following cotton, highly significant yield increases resulted from the high acid treatment.

Alfalfa yields on the acid plots became progressively greater relative to the non-acid plots, but yield differences were not significant.

In cotton leaves, the acid treatments resulted in increased uptake of magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus, but the increases were probably not significant. Uptake of sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, and iron were not appreciably affected.

In sesbania, the acid treatments did not significantly alter the uptake of any of the plant nutrients determined. There was some indication, however, that the uptake of sodium and iron was reduced by the acidification.

The results of this study support the view that soil acidification on calcareous soils may improve the soil physical conditions and result in increased yields, particularly in some crops. The application of acid in the irrigation water did not prove to be economically feasible.

¹ Technical Article No. 1964, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Tex. Presented before Div. IV, Soil Science Society of America, Dallas, Tex., Nov. 17, 1953.

² Associate Agronomist and Superintendent, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Ysleta, Texas, respectively. Appreciation is expressed to L. V. Olson and J. N. Abersold of the American Smelting and Refining Company for their help and to the Company for furnishing all the acid used in the field experiments.

Received for publication December 18, 1953.