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Alfalfa Yield and Composition After Different Times and Rates of Lime and Phosphorus Application¹

ABSTRACT

Lime and phosphorus applications were made to a Hartsells loam soil with a pH of 4.7 and an extremely low available phosphorus supply. Lime rates of 0, 1, 2, and 4 tons per acre and P₂O₅ rates of 0, 40, 80, and 120 pounds per acre were applied 3 months before planting and at planting in the four possible time-of-application combinations. Two crops of alfalfa were harvested and yield and P content were determined.

Highly significant yield increases to both lime and phosphorus applications were found. The highest yield was obtained when the highest rates of lime and phosphorus were both applied at the time of planting. Phosphorus applications to the unlimed soil were not as effective, even though the soil was limed 3 months after the phosphorus was applied, as when the phosphorus was applied to the limed soil. These results indicate that the rate of equilibrium of phosphorus compound formation in soils at different pH levels may occur very slowly.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, Tennessee Agr. Exp. Sta., Knoxville.

² Former Graduate Student and Agronomist, respectively.

Received for publication October 14, 1960. Accepted for publication January 4, 1961.