EFFECT OF LIME ON CORN YIELD, SOIL TILTH, AND LEAF NUTRIENT CONTENT FOR FIVE CROPPING SYSTEMS ON BROOKSTON CLAY SOIL

Abstract

Lime application on Brookston clay soil in 1951 was associated with increased, or trends towards increased, soil pore space values over those on parallel plots of unlimed soil for the 1970–73 period. Increases were found in rotation averages for yield, and for leaf concentration of N and P where no fertilizer was applied. Leaf K on continuous corn responded to liming, but failed to do so on the other rotations. Cropping systems that reduced compaction as indicated by increased pore space also tended to show increased percent leaf K in the presence or absence of lime application. The favorable influence of lime also resulted in higher corn yields on the corn-oats cropping system and on unfertilized alfalfa systems as a group during this period.