Effects of lime on the chemical composition of ryegrass and white clover grown on a yellow-brown loam

Abstract

The effects of lime (7.25 tlha) both on the chemical composition of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens), and on changes in soil chemistry, were measured in a 2-year field study on a Stratford coarse sandy loam. The major effects of liming were increases in plant Ca and Mo, and decreases in plant Mg and Mn concentrations. Liming increased soil exchangeable Mg, Na, and (to a lesser extent) K, because of an increase in effective cation exchange capacity. The decrease in plant Mg despite increases in soil Mg was attributed to the antagonistic effect of Ca on plant Mg uptake. This was believed to be a factor in the increased incidence of hypomagnesaemia caused by liming on this soil. It was estimated that 0.65 t Calha were lost through leaching, removal of animal products, and transfer to unproductive areas every year.

Keywords:

• lime
• soil chemistry
• soil nutrients
• trace elements
• ryegrass
• Lolium perenne
• white clover
• Trifolium repens
• chemical composition