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Alfalfa,Medicago sativa L., in highly weathered, acid soils

IV. Root growth into acid subsoil of plants selected for acid tolerance

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Summary

Rooting into acid subsoils would be a desirable trait for alfalfa which should result in better water extraction and yield. In this study, the rooting depth into acid subsoils and top yield of alfalfa plants selected for acid tolerance were investigated in a repacked profile with a limed, fertile topsoil, but unamended, acid subsoil. The effects of subsoil modification by CaCO3 and CaSO4·2H2O addition on alfalfa rooting, top growth, and water extraction were also studied.

Plants from acid selections rooted deeper into acid subsoil when compared to control plants (selected under limed conditions). However, the reverse response was found in the CaSO4·2H2O treated subsoil. There were no differences among selections for total top yield for any subsoil treatment. Water extraction from the lower subsoil and top growth yield (data pooled by selections) were improved mainly in the subsoil treatment containing the highest addition of CaCO3.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agronomy, University of Georgia, 30602, Athens, GA, USA

    J. H. Bouton, J. E. Hammel & M. E. Sumner

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  1. J. H. Bouton
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  2. J. E. Hammel
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  3. M. E. Sumner
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Bouton, J.H., Hammel, J.E. & Sumner, M.E. Alfalfa,Medicago sativa L., in highly weathered, acid soils. Plant Soil 65, 187–192 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374649

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02374649

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