Coastal bermudagrass and Marshall ryegrass response to surface-applied limestone and phosphorus on an acid, sandy East Texas soil /
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| Other Authors: | , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1989.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Acid soil infertility and inadequate phosphorus availability limit forage production in East Texas. This research was conducted to determine forage yield and mineral uptake response to limestone and P applications on a strongly acid (pH 4.7) soil. In a field study, the effects of limestone (0, 672, and 3808 kg ha^-1) and P (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 240, and 480 kg ha^-1) rates on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L] Pers. var. Coastal) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L. var. Marshall) were evaluated over three growing seasons on a Lilbert loamy fine sand (loamy, siliceous, thermic arenic Plinthic Paleudult). Marshall ryegrass response to applied limestone, Ca, K, Mg, Al, P, and Mo was evaluated in a greenhouse study based on a central composite design. In the field study, soil pH initially increased to 6.2 in response to the high limestone rate, but then declined from the application of N fertilizers. Lime increased soil test Ca. Mq, and P and decreased soil test K and Al. Phosphorus application increased soil test P, but did not affect exchangeable Al^3+ levels. In unlimed soil, the efficiency of increasing soil test P was low, but improved in limed soil. Liming did not affect Coastal bermudagrass yield, but increased plant Ca and Mg uptake. Phosphorus application increased Coastal bermudagrass productivity by as much as 37 percent. Maximum yield coincided with soil P levels of 10 to 20 mg P kg^-1 and a plant tissue P concentration of 0.18 to 0.24 mg P kg^-1. Marshall ryegrass yield was increased 100 to 750 percent from 3808 kg lime ha^-1 and 25 to 80 percent from 480 kg P ha^-1. Increased tissue Ca, Mg, and P, decreased tissue K and Mn, and decreased soil test Al were correlated with higher yield. In the greenhouse study, regression models for ryegrass response to the applied treatments were complex. Most yield improvement due to lime was attributed to reduced exchangeable Al^3+ . Lime also increased P. Mg, and Mo availability and diminished the yield depression caused by excess soil Ca and K. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Soil Science." |
| Physical Description: | xxi, 276 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |