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The effects of subsoiling and deep incorporation of P and K fertilizers on the yield and nutrient uptake of barley, potatoes, wheat and sugar beet grown in rotation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. McEwen  and
A. E. Johnston
J. McEwen
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts.
A. E. Johnston
Affiliation:
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts.
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Summary

A small-plot experiment on sandy loam soil at Woburn tested the effects of subsoiling by hand and of incorporating a large dressing of P and K fertilizer into the subsoil.

Ths treatments were applied once in 1973 and their effects were assessed from 1974 to 1977 on the yields of, and N, P, K uptakes by, barley, potatoes, wheat and sugar beet grown in rotation. All crops were present each year and all plots received annual seedbed dressings of N, P and K appropriate to the crop. Dolomitic limestone was applied once in the rotation. The effects of the treatments on P soluble in 0·5 M-NaHCO3 and exchangeable K in surface and subsoils were measured.

Subsoiling alone increased the 4-year mean yield of wheat by 21%, of barley by 24% and of sugar from sugar beet by 11%. Mean yield of potatoes was unaffected.

Incorporating P and K into the subsoil increased the mean yield of potatoes by 16% and further increased mean yield, in addition to the effect of subsoiling, of barley by 20% and of sugar by 4%. Mean yield of wheat was not further affected.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 92 , Issue 3 , June 1979 , pp. 695 - 702
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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References

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