Field Response of Four Tropical Legumes to Lime and Superphosphate¹

Abstract

The generalization is often made that tropical legumes show little or no response to lime, even in acid soils low in Ca. Phosphorus responses, however, are generally observed. The effect of lime in an acid, virgin spodosol (Oldsmar fs) in southern Florida plots was investigated. Significant yield responses to lime and P were observed. Maximum total annual dry matter production of centro (Centrosema pubescens Benth.), desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon DC.), stylo (Stylosanthes guyanensis Swartz), and ‘Siratro’ (Macroptilium atropurpureum Urb.) required lime applications of about 2,200 kg/ha. Regression analyses suggested that centro and Siratro might respond to higher lime rates if combined with P rates higher than those used in the study. Calculated optimum P rates ranged from 45 to 78 kg/ha, with desmodium requiring the least. Liming beyond the optimum rate appeared to seriously reduce production of desmodium and stylo.

Field response of three subtropical pasture legumes to lime, P and K on an acid sandy soil

“…Olsen & Moe (1971) and Bogdan (1977) state that no response can be expected from liming. However, Snyder, Kretschmer & Sartain (1978) recommend liming, but are of the opinion that liming beyond the optimum rate could seriously reduce production of Stylosanthes guianensis. According to Spain (1975) tropical legumes realise maximum yields with only 150 kg CaC0 3 equivalent ha-I • Calcium is often supplied with the P source, thereby concealing the response to lime.…”

“…t 'Mannetjie, O'Conner & Burt (1978) concluded that the addition of lime to S. guianensis grown on an acid soil can lead to reduced yields owing to an induced zinc deficiency. In the study of Snyder et al (1978), where S. guianensis responded significantly to liming, Zn was added to the soil.…”

Effects of Phosphorus, Calcium, and Hup− and Hup+ Rhizobia on Pigeon Pea Yields in an Infertile Tropical Soil1

“…At low pH, AP+ is phytotoxic, nodulation is inhibited, and Ca and Mo deficiencies occur (Fox and Kang, 1977;Carvalho et al, 1981). Liming of tropical soils has been a common practice to alleviate problems associated with low pH (Snyder et al, 1978;Andrew and Johnson, 1976;Munns et al, 1977;Munns and Fox, 1977). Unfortunately, the tendency to overtime is common and the final results are not always favorable.…”