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Soil Acidity at Various Depths as Influenced by Time since Application, Placement, and Amount of Limestone¹

ABSTRACT

On a series of twenty-six alfalfa plats, limestone was mixed with the plow layer (0–8'') of Charlton fine sandy loam soil at from four to ten tons per acre between 1914 and 1919. In 1937, the soil in these plats was sampled by six-inch layers to a depth of thirty-six inches and the acidity determined by the quinhydrone (pH) and the Jones lime requirement methods. By both methods, the results show that the acidity of all layers has been reduced by all of the limestone treatments excepting the lowest one (four tons per acre). There was a significant correlation between the amount of limestone and reduction in acidity. Regardless of rate of liming, the plow layer was the most acid in 1937. Similar results were obtained with ten plats in two five-year rotations.

In 1938, the acidity of each of the upper six inches of soil from permanent pasture plats had been reduced appreciably by limestone applied on the surface at one ton per acre in 1924 and repeated in 1929. For the first time since 1924, the surface inch was more acid than the second inch of soil.

Data obtained by testing one-inch samples of soil from many grass plats, limed on the surface, show clearly that the depth and rate of penetration of limestone are functions of amount added and lapse of time since application. On this soil, at least, ten years must elapse after applying limestone at two tons on the surface before all of the upper six inches have a similar reaction. However, it is concluded that surface application is an effective and efficient method of liming grassland.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Associate Agronomist and Research Assistant in Agronomy, respectively.