Effects of Particle Size and Application Rate of Limestone on Soil Reaction

The application of agricultural limestone to acid soils has often been found to be beneficial for crop production, especially when legumes are included in the cropping system.The extent to which these benefits are realized depends to a great extent on the chemical and physical properties of the liming material, rate of its application, degree of incorporation, and a variety of soil and climatic factors.Numerous attempts have been made to evaluate the speed with which liming material will react with the soil but very little of this research has been conducted in Nebraska using procedures and management practices commonly used by the Nebraska farmer. A study was established, therefore, to evaluate the time required for different sized lime particles to react with the soil at several application rates.The liming treatments were evaluated using laboratory procedures commonly available to the farmer of Nebraska.It was believed that evaluating the liming material in this manner would be of practical value both for the farmer and for the laboratory making the lime recommendation. Also studied were the effects of liming material on legume yield, soil nutrients, and the plant concentration and uptake of various macro and micro-nutrients. Advisor:Delno Knudse