Publication Date
1997
Description
Paddock surveys and preliminary glasshouse experiments have identified acidification of the surface soil layers as a contributing factor to the problem of declining lucerne yields occurring in the mid north region of South Australia. In a field experiment, lime application at rates of 2 t/ha and 4 t/ha significantly improved the growth of lucerne in a soil with an acidic topsoil and alkaline subsoil. Lime incorporated into the soil had an initial short term advantage of improving lucerne production over lime applied to the soil surface. By the end of the first season there was no benefit of incorporated lime application over surface application. High levels of manganese associated with this soil were significantly reduced with the application of lime. Whilst liming produced lucerne growth responses, there was no response to inoculation with Rhizobium meliloti strain CC169, regardless of liming treatment, and the initial low levels of Rhizobium meliloti in this soil were not improved.
Citation
Koopman, D J.; Tow, P G.; and Reeves, T G., "Lucerne Decline: The Role of Acidification" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 8.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session11/8
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Lucerne Decline: The Role of Acidification
Paddock surveys and preliminary glasshouse experiments have identified acidification of the surface soil layers as a contributing factor to the problem of declining lucerne yields occurring in the mid north region of South Australia. In a field experiment, lime application at rates of 2 t/ha and 4 t/ha significantly improved the growth of lucerne in a soil with an acidic topsoil and alkaline subsoil. Lime incorporated into the soil had an initial short term advantage of improving lucerne production over lime applied to the soil surface. By the end of the first season there was no benefit of incorporated lime application over surface application. High levels of manganese associated with this soil were significantly reduced with the application of lime. Whilst liming produced lucerne growth responses, there was no response to inoculation with Rhizobium meliloti strain CC169, regardless of liming treatment, and the initial low levels of Rhizobium meliloti in this soil were not improved.
