A Study of the effect of liming an acid soil on the growth of certain legumes and non-legumes

Abstract

A number of investigators have found that applications of lime to an acid soil have in many cases resulted in a depression of crop yields. This effect has been observed especially in connection with pot cultures where various phosphate fertillizers have been heavy or applied immediately before the growth of plants. P.E. Karraker at this Station observed a depressing effect of ground limestone on the growth of certain legumes. It was purposed in the experiments herin reported to continue the work begun by Karraker in order to determine whether the effects observed on the first year's growth would continue during the second year. It was also planned to add other experiments with the hope of obtaining information which might give some indications of the cause of the depressing effects observed. In addition to this, it was intended to make further observations on the effect of ground limestone on the growth of certain legumes and cereals and on the action of certain bacteria in the soil, namely, tubercle bacteria and nitrifying organisms.