. 3;on ~ r - ""35 {Ea-«u v lIIl l .b —‘O \|\l n NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN THE A1, A2, AND B HORIZONS OF SOME COMMON MICHIGAN SOIL TYPES A Thesis for the Degree of M. S, . N. Kent Ellis. 5 ‘ ,. 1 I935 ' III III IIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIII 3 1293 01107 5961 PLACE IN RETURN BOX to remove this checkout from your record. TO AVOID FINE return on or before date due. NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY IN THE \ \ A1, 12, AND B Eonxzous or souE common MICHIGAN son. TYPES B! i 'L "I. El" ‘m'r mxs .._..¢ A THESIS PRESENTED TO M norm: or MICHIGAN STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED somcr. m PARTIAL mm or THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF EASTER OF SCIENCE East Lansing 1955 THESIS? ACKNOILEDGEMENT The‘uriter wishes to express his appreciation to Dr. C. E. Iillar for guidance given during the progress of the work and in the preparation of the manuscript. Also, to Dr. C. H. Spur-ay'and other members of the Soils Department for their kindly assistance and advice. 98891 I TITLE OUTLINE II INTRODUCTION III REVIEW OF LITERATURE IV EXPERIMENTAL A. B. C. D. Description of Soil Used Method of Obtaining 8011 Samples Method Laboratory Procedure Greenhouse EXPeriment V DISCUSSION OF RESULTS A. B. O. D. E. Niami Silt Loan Hillsdele Saucy'Loam Bellefontaine Sandy Loam Conover Silt Loam Nutrient Deficiency VI SUMMARY VII BIBLIOGRAPHY INTRODUCTION The causes for the unproductiveness of the horizons of soil below the moreIweathered A1 horizon have been the subject of investigation fer many years. In common parlance has come the term 'razness” of subsoil, pertaining to the unproductivity of soils taken from below the plowed layer. This term immediately brings into consideration two indefinite quantities‘which must be qualified as to meaning. At present it is generally conceded that a thrifty growth of plants,at least comparable to that occurring on the corresponding surface horizon, would be required on the lower soil horizons to demonstrate that no 'rawness' exists in them. It is evident, therefore, that the meaning of the term ”rawness' must vary with different soil types. The term "subsoil” generally refers to that portion of soil below the plowed layer. Since this term is indefinite and as it fails to recognize specific horizons in the soil profile, it will be used in this paper only in citing references to literature. The subsurface horizons of a single soil type and of different soil types normally very in the depth athhich they occur. It is, therefore, evident that data obtained from different soils taken at specific depths may not correlate. 'Rauness' of subsoils has been attributed to several causes, some of which are: (l) deficiency of available nutrients, (2) curtailed biological activity, (3) presence of toxic substances, (4) unfavorable soil reaction, (5) lack of aeration at the greater depths. Insufficient evidence to definitely establish any one of these factors as the cause for poor plant growth on sub— surface horizons pronpted the present study. REVIEI 0F LITERATURE Hilgard (12) stated that "rawness' did not exist in soils of arid regions, in contrast to the general knowledge of unproductivity of the sub— -2- soils of humid regions. He observed that, in general, the subsoils of humid regions were lc-Ier in organic matter content and more retentive of moisture and plant nutrients than the corresponding surface soils . He attributed “mess" to the more compact subsoil and to the lack of organic matter with the corresponding deficiency of the weathering agents, carbonic and "humic'I acids. Hilgard suggested that this condition is the result of the washing down of the finer particles of soil to a depth where they are deposited and fora a more or less impeneable layer which inhibits aeration and reduces the number of beneficial microorganisms, thus leading to unfavorable reduction processes and the format ion of toxic substances. Ball (10) recognized unproductivity in soils in humid regions, bola the plowed layer, and warned against bringing up more than a half inch of soil below the "plow sole'l in a single year. He suggested that the scarcity of the microbiological population below the plowed layer may be responsible for the sterility of the soil. traps (9) stated that in humid regions, the subsoils are not suited to plant growth and further that the difference in this respect between arid and humid soils is due to the greater depth of penetration of air and the roots of plants in the arid soils. Alway, IcDole, and Best (5) presented evidence to show that sub- soils of certain humid regions exhibit 'rawness' to non-leguminous crops ; but with inoculated legumes, soils taken from 15 to 20 feet below the surface support as good a growth as their corresponding surface soils. These soils, when supplied with nitrogenous fertilizer, may not exhibit "was" even to non-leguminous crops. They accepted Hilgard 's views without question, and Alway and ch01e (2) distinguished between arid and humid regions as follows: -5- "a hunid region is one inmwhich the precipitation exceeds the evaporation. in arid region is one in which the precipitation is less than the evaporation from a free water surface“. Lipman (16) stated that arid subsoils are as unproductive of non- legumes as are those of humid regions, and questioned the idea that inoculated legumes'will not grow as well on any subsoil as on its corresponding surface soil. Amway (I) asked fer more information on the subject and stated that the idea that arid subsoils are not as unproductive as the subsoils of humid regions is based largely on the personal observation of the late Dr. E. I. We Harmer (11) presented data to show that certain subsoils are unproductive even to inoculated legumes, and stated that the impaired growth is not associated with either deficiency of nitrogen or low carbonate content of the soil. leIiller (18), using two of Harmer's (ll) soils, concluded that unproductiveness could be overcome by supplying sufficient amounts of available phosphorus and potasstma. leaver, Jean, and Grist (25), and Grist and leaver (8) showed that plants may absorb applied available nutrients from subsoils. The former also concluded that soil from the lower depths is suited to plant growth even though the average depth of root penetration of small grains at the Colorado station is but one and three-tenths feet. Iillar (19),Iworking‘with corn plants, found that: fIf the amount of growth be taken as a measure of the availability of nutrients of the horizons studied, it must be concluded that the corn plant draws very sparingly on the soil horizons below the surface". -4- Killer (20) found inoculated alfalfa plants to be capable of growth even after the surface roots had been excluded from the surface soil by means of glass cylinders. He also found (21) that the lower roots of plants are capable of absorbing nutrients from the soils, if the nutrients are available , and that poor growth in certain horizons of Hillsdale loan in the greenhouse was due to deficiencies of nitrogen and phosphorus. Conner (7) found nitrogen and phosphorus to be the limiting factors for plant grath on all subsoils studied, as compared to their respective surface soils. Potassium and line were found to be deficient to a less degree in the subsoil than either nitrogen or phosphorus. He further concluded that nitrogen and phosphorus were more essential to the first crop than to the second, and ascribed this to a greater availability of the nutrients in the soil after standing for the year in the greenhouse. EXPERIlENTAL Description of the Soil Used The soils for this study were taken from representative areas in close proximity to East Lansing, lichigan. The soils, therefore, were developed under similar conditions of temperature and rainfall. Four soil types were selected which are widely distributed throughout the State. The Hillsdale soil is the heavier phase of Hillsdale. The pic.- soil is a grey-brown granular loan, underlain by a much lighter colored yellaish-brown loam, beneath which is found a darker colored brown sandy loan. The Conover silt loan is a grayish-brown silt loan to a depth of about 8 inches, underlain with a yellowish-grey loan which grades into a -5- mottled, yellowish brwnish-grey, friable, sandy clay loam. The Iiami silt loam presents a light grayish—brown silt loam surface or plow section, directly underlain by a dull yellowish-brown, thin layer of clay loam, beneath which is found a very compact reddish-brown clay loan. The Bellefontaine sandy gravelly loam consists of a brown sandy gravelly loan surface , underlain with a horizon of light yellowish sandy loan, which grades into a reddish-brown layer of sand, gravel and clay mixture. Iethod of Obtaining Soil Samples By means of a recent soil map of this region (1952) large areas of the soil types were located. A location which was level and deemed repre- sentative of the entire area was chosen for the sampling. All of these areas were in sod at the time of sampling, although all had been plowed at some previous time. In every case, the 11 horizon is the plowed layer. The second horizon is the Ag or leached horizon, and the third horizon in depth is the B horizon. . The surface debris was scraped back and the first sample was taken, then to make sure that no soil was taken from the areas of gradation, between the horizons, a layer of soil was removed before taking the next horizon. Inch horizon was distinctly different in color, and no difficulty was encountered in differentiating between them. The depth of sampling, moisture equivalent, and mechanical analysis are shun in Table l. The depth at which the samples were taken shows that the A2 and B horizons of the various soil types occur at different depths. About four hundred pounds of soil was taken from each horizon sampled. These samples were carried into the greenhouse, each one screened, air dried, thoroughly mixed, and stored until needed. The portions of the soil -6- Table 1. Moisture equivalent, and mechanical analysis of the soils. Depth ' Total Convention Convention Total 3°11 of .Ioisture Sand Silt Clay Colloid Type Horizon Sampling Equivalent Percent Percent Percent Percent Inches Miami A1 2—5 19.6 42 50 28 4O Silt £2 6.5-9 19.2 54 16 5O 40 Loan B 10-15 27.2 54 20 46 so Hillsdale A1 2-6 16.8 61 22.4 16.6 25.6 Loan 8 24-52 15.1 59.6 21.6 18.8 26.0 Bellefontaine A1 2-5 9.15 76 9 15 17 Sandy 12 7-15 7.9 85 8.5 8.5 12 Loan 3 15-25 15.5 so 11 9 12 Conover A1 2-7 25.8 60 21 19 26 Silt 12 9-15 29.4 so 20 20 28 Loan 9 17-55 25.9 59 25 so - 7 - for laboratory work were crushed in a mortar to pass through a 2 mm. screen, and stored in two-quart sealed jars. lethods The soil reaction was determined electrometrically, using the quin- hydrone electrode against the normal calomel cell. A mechanical analysis of the soils was made, using the hydrometer method of Bouyoucos (5). Total nitrogen was determined by the Kejhdal method. The moisture content of the soils on which chemical determinations were being made was maintained at the moisture equivalent as determined by the method of Bouyoucos (4). It was desired to raise each soil to the same level.with respect to soluble phosphorus, as determined by the Truog (25) laboratory method, and to the same level of readily soluble potassium, as extracted by Spurway's (22) recommended acetic acid solution for easily soluble nutrients. The potassium in the soil was extracted with a 1:1 ratio of 0.015 I acetic acid and soil. The dilute solution of acetic acid flocculates the soil, and therefore enables one to obtain a clear extract, which*would be impossible in many cases with distilled water. The soil and the dilute acidwwere shaken together 50 minutes. The extract was then obtained by filtering through a fine filter until it came through clear. The potassium in the extract was determined by a modification of the Kramer-Tisdall (15) method. The method used in the determinations was as follows: 2 cc. of the filtrate was transferred to a 15 cc. centrifuge tube. Six drops of Kramer-Tisdall cobaltinitrite solution was added with shaking, then 2 cc. of pure 95$ ethyl alcohol, which precipitates the potassium. The tubes ‘were then stoppered and allowed to stand for at least 15 minutes to insure com- plete precipitation of the potassium. The sides of the tubes were washed down with 1 cc. of 50% alcohol, and the tubes were then centrifuged for 45 minutes. If the tubes are perfectly clean, the precipitate will collect at the bottom with -3- very little adhering to the sides. At the end of the centrifuging period, the supernatant liquid was gently poured off and the tubes were allowed to drain while inverted. The precipitate was next suspended in 2 cc. of alcohol by the use of a glass stirring rod which was then washed with a few drops of the alcohol. The tubes were centrifuged again for a period of 15 minutes. At the end of this time, the liquid.was poured off and the precipitate was allowed to dry with the tubes inverted. It is necessary that the precipitate be perfectly dry befOre titration. The titration was carried out by adding in excess a .02 l potassium permanganate solution, followed by approximately 1 cc. of 4 l sulphuric acid. The precipitate was mixed thoroughly with the fluid by means of a glass rod. The tube was then immersed in a hot water bath (BS-90° C) only long enough to heat the solution and then back-titrated with .01 sodium oxalate to the point where decolorization occurred. If an excess of oxalate was added, it was back- titrated with the potassium permanganate. One cc. of .01 N permanganate is equivalent to 0.071 mg. of K. The nitrate supply in the soil used in greenhouse culture was deter- mined at intervals during growth of the plants. Due to the large number of tests required, a, very rapid method was devised. The upper chamber of a La lotto glazed porcelain soil reaction testing block was half filled with soil and four or five drops of .015 I acetic acid solution was added to wet the soil and extract the nitrates. One drop of the solution was then allowed to run down the trough into the lower chamber, where it was treated with three drOps of a diphenylanine-sulphuric acid solution. This solution was made up according to Spurway (22). - 9 - Laboratory Procedure The data in Table 2 show the soil reaction, total nitrogen, and easily soluble potassium and phosphorus of the soils. The pH values of the horizons vary as much as .5 unit in the same profile, while the values for different soil types vary even more. This data is at variance with the work of Thornton (25) who averaged a number of determinations, irrespective of soil type, and concluded that the pH of subsoils and surface soils was practically identical. It is evident that the average from such a large group of soils would obscure any differences of the individual soils. The data in Table 2 show that total nitrogen is much higher in the surface soils than in the subsurface horizons; also that in the Hillsdale and Bellefontaine types, the two lighter soil types of the group, the total nitrogen was greater in the B horizon than in the A2 or leached horizon. ‘lith the Conover and Iiami types, the total nitrogen decreasednwith the depth of the horizon. Except in the case of the Hillsdale type, the quantity of soluble phosphorus in the A2 and B horizons was as great as or greater than the quantity in the surface horizon. The soluble potassium decreasedeith the depth of the horizon, except in the case of the Conover in ‘which the soluble potassiummwas low with but little variation in the different horizons. It was desired to raise each of the soils to the same level with respect to readily soluble phosphorus. One hundred pounds was chosen from Truog's (24) recommendations as the level to which the soil in the greenhouse cultures would be raised. In order to determine the quantity of superphosphate to be applied to have one hundred pounds of readily soluble phosphorus in the soil, 100 gram portions of the soil were treated with increments of mono- calcium phosphate, ranging from the equivalent of 100 to 4000 pounds of 20 percent superphosphate per acre. These soils were made up to the moisture - 10 - Table 2. The pH, organic matter content, total nitrogen, soluble phosphorus and potassium contents of the untreated soils. Soluble Soluble Soil Total Phosphorus Potassium “I Nitrogen Pounds Pounds Type orizon pH Percent Per Acre Per Acre Niall ‘1 5055 0095 5408 21007 Silt A2 5.06 .056 18.1 20.2 Loam B 5.11 .040 15.4 25.6 Sandy A2 7.04 .027 20.7 24.0 Loam B 6.85 .052 15.2 20.2 Sand: 42 7.25 .019 12.5 24.09 L04! B 7.95 .028 7.7 50.8 conmr A1 6.65 o 219 8. 9 1550 2 Silt £2 6.78 .076 6.2 189.0 Loan B 7.5 .047 14.5 297.6 -11- equivalent as determined by the Bouyoucos method. After standing for eight days in covered tumblers to prevent evaporation, the readily soluble phosphorus was determined. The data are reported in Table 5 and are presented graphically in Figures 1 and 2. From the graphs, the amount of mono-calcium phosphate necessary to raise the soluble phosphorus to 100 pounds per acre was inter- polated. The equivalents of 20 percent superphosphate necessary to raise the soluble phosphorus to 100 pounds per acre are also given in Table 5. For the purpose of this experiment, an arbitrary point of 100 pounds per acre of readily soluble potassium was taken as the basis for the potassium application.. This quantity is equivalent to the concentration at which Hoagland and lartin (14) obtained their maximum crop yield; and the total quantity added to raise the soluble potassium content of the soil to this level was not greater, except in two or three cases, than that at which Hoagland and Iartin observed a decrease in yield on the soil described. It was assumed, therefore, that no toxic affect would be produced as a result of excessive applications of potassium chloride to increase the soluble potassium to 100 pounds per acre. Increments of potassium chloride, ranging from 500 to 4000 pounds per acre, were applied in solution to 100 gr. samples of the soils. These samples were treated the same as those for phosphorus determinations, except that they were allowed to stand but five days before extraction for soluble potassium. The data showing the quantity of potassium soluble in the soil after the applications of [01 are presented in Table 4. From this data curves (Figures 5 and 4) were constructed which were used to determine the quantity of potassium chloride necessary to raise the soluble potassium content to the 100 pound level. The equivalents of 50 percent muriate of potash necessary to raise the level of soluble potassium to 100 pounds per acre are also givmin Table 4. Table 5. - 12 - Rate of application of phosphorus and resultant quantities of readily soluble phosphorus in soils. Pounds Per Acre Pounds Phosphorus Applied 000 80 75 46 e 66 87 e 52 174 e 64 349 e 28 Is'uperphosphate (20% P205 ) 20$ Superphosphate { Applied to Equivalent 000 100 500 1000 2000 4000 188 Level to 100 Pounds Per P001108 Per Acre Acre Soluble Soil Type and Horizon Of Readily Soluble Phosphorus in Soil Phosphorus Niall 11 21.07 24.5 45.5 62.1 96.8% 2100 B 25.6 51.0 57.4 55.9 90.4 2500 Hillsdale 11 55.6 61.6 84.4 157.2 255.5 1500 B 20.2 42.25 59.5 117.0 206.5 1700 Bellefontaine ' B 50.8 51.2 66.6 87.6 150.5 1275 Conover A2 189.0 186.2 204.1 212.7 B 297.6 277.2 509.5 520.0 _l‘r . 1‘. ' '77,. Ir { .. , A." y, I. , 1 ‘1 ‘ , 1,. 55,7 ., r, 7| ., w 1 , 1 " ,. ‘ Bellefinbinr , 7} s ) 53g 1/ . [Mink/e ;_§N W: 62, superphosphste (2m P2051 applied __._... . ..., ' . v . , , nan mm 6.6 ,6 W 33 n3 agnmmama againstuo mg Pounds of soluble phosphorus per acre 400 350 300 250 [5‘0 /00 50 Figure 2 Pounds of superphosphate (20% P205) applied l”"-" I ’I k / \ / ‘ I \ (I, ‘V’ // / / ~\// ”1 . 13L .3 ' _4 .1, 1 ’ ,. .3 29’5- V P a /- ".- ”"2" ’ r ”/7 .—" ’/ ’I _‘. - ' a, . . a" gm" ,"r’:._'f‘.'l.' " Canon-r Q><3 C> Q) g; Q: g g \ \ N table 4. -15.. Rate of application of potassium and resultant quantities of readily soluble potassium in soils. Pounds Per Acre Potassium Applied 000 204.76 409.55 819.10 1658.20 50$ Potassium Chloride ' Equivalent 000 500 1000 2000 4000 Soil Type and Horizon Pounds Per Acre 0f Readily Soluble Potassium in Soil Pounds of luriate of Potash (50$ K20) To Raise Level to 100 Pounds Per Acre ml Potassium—— liami A2 18.1 54.5 87.7 207.5 472.6 842.2 B 15.4 29.2 68.2 154.2 271.6 1148.9 Hillsdale 41 42.4 97.0 164.8 511.7 552.1 594.5 A2 20.7 46.2 76.7 166.1 407.2 976.2 B 15.2 44.1 56.1 125.5 241.8 1265.5 Bellefontaine A1 26.8 87.4 156.5 522.1 709.5 459.4 42 12.5 75.5 171.8 565.1 798.6 478.5 B 7.7 18.2 55.4 111.6 288.5 1455.6 Conover 12 6.2 12.6 50.4 76.4 210.2 1818.4 B 14.5 16.7 51.6 74.0 200.6 1856.7 Pounds of soluble potassium per acre «300 HQ? 600 500 400 300 200 [00 Figure 5 ”fl/5 C/J /e Be Helen Mm: 500 /000 2000 Pounds of luriats of Potash (50% K20) applied 5 Pounds of soluble potassium per acre 400 200 /00 Figure 4 f4 fl: Pounds of fluriate of Potash‘(50% K20) applied ./ I’ / ‘1- r" vf' I I / f [I I I r , 1' I J I I r 7’ ,1 x, .f‘ I. I ,. / / I I I I f f I I I .’ I, ’1’ ll r', / I l / ’ / , 2 ’l / I, I /’ / I r‘ / / I I ’ t , f ’y 'f /’ ’ 7/ ( .1, 1” / / / I r I ’ f, ”/ l‘ I . (I 7’ , ‘ I ,V/ x” -Lurn I / ‘ / , . / Canon-r .-’3 ’ ,fi" /,r’”--" ’ Q. I: Q: E; Q Q \ N _ 14 - Greenhouse Experiment The experiment in the greenhouse was carried out in one-gallon glazed Jars, which.were brought to equal weight with quartz sand before filling with soil. The fertilizing elements were applied in solution and thoroughly mixed throughout the soil. Potassium and phosphorus were applied at the rates determined in the preceding work, and two hundred pounds per acre of nitrate of soda was applied at the beginning of the experiment and again during the growing period, when the nitrate supply became law. The second crop had only one application of nitrogen, which.was made when the crop was about half grown. It‘was not necessary to add N at the beginning of the second experiment. Potassium and phosphorus were not applied for the second crop, because the desired quantities of these nutrients‘were present in soluble form. The moisture content of each soil was then brought to near its Ioisture equivalent . Throughout the experiment, the Jars were maintained at a constant weight with distilled water. The Jars were allowed to stand two weeks after applying the fertilizers before planting the first crop. A definite quantity of the soil was removed from each Jar, sudan grass seed was sown, and the soi1.was replaced, so as to place the seed at the same depth in all Jars. In planting the second crop, only sufficient soil ‘was removed to cover the seed to the desired depth. The remainder of the soil was not disturbed in the Jars. The Jars were moved frequently during the growing period to insure a uniform distribution of sunlight. The craps ‘were harvested when seed had formed. The plants were dried in ovens at 65° C. for twenty-four hours. They were then removed, cooled, and weighed. ‘The yields are recorded in Table 5, each value represents an average of duplicate Jars. 1‘1 _ 15 _ DISCUSSION OF RESULTS The data showing the effect of fertilizers and soil horizons on the yield of sudan grass are given by crops in Table 5. The first crop‘was planted January 14, and was harvested April 20, 1954. The second cr0p'was planted December 18, 1954, and was harvested larch 22, 1955. In general, the first crop was larger than the second. The difference was probably due, in part, to the greater length of day during the growth of the first crop. Other unknown factors undoubtedly affected the yields. The number of days from planting to harvest, however,‘was practically the same for both crops. The data will be discussed under the heading of the individual soil types. lliami Silt Loam The data show that the B horizon of Miami silt loam was more productive, in all cases,for the first crap than was the £2 horizon. The same results were obtained for the second crop with the no fertilizer, the nitrogen plus potassium, and the complete fertilizer treatments. In the case of the first crop, all fertilizer treatments except nitrogen plus potassium increased the yields of the 12 and B horizons materially above that of the untreated Al horizon. These results‘were not obtained.with any treatment for the second crop. It is noteworthy that the addition of nitrogen plus potassium decreased the yields on both crops for all three horizons, whereas the addition of nitrogen plus phosphorus increased the yields in every case except one. In general, the Al, 42, and B horizons of the Miami silt 10am showed similar nutrient deficiencies. The need for phosphorus was greatest, followed by the need for nitrogen. The requirement for potassiumwwas not evident until phosphorus and nitrogen had been supplied. In fact, in every case, the nitrogen plus potassium treatment gave a lower yield than the corresponding untreated soil. - 16 - ' 3.11le816 Sandy Loam The A1 horizon of Hillsdale produced larger yields of both crops, 'with all treatments, than the 42 and B horizons. The productivity of the £2 and B horizons was not increased to that of the untreated A1 horizon by any fertilizer treatment used in the experiment. The results for the various fertilizer treatments with the 52 and B horizons‘were too inconsistent to permit a definite conclusion to be drawn as to which nutrient element was most deficient, although indications‘were that phosphorus was most effective in increasing plant growth. In three cases out of four, the nitrogen plus potassium treatment decreased the yield obtained from the untreated 42 and B horizon soil. Bellefontaine Sandy Loam The results for the first crop show that for a maximum plant growth, the soil from each horizon was in need of all three of the nutrients applied. For the first crop, the complete fertilizer treatment of the 42 and B horizons and the nitrogen plus phosphorus treatment of the B horizon resulted in yields greater than that of the unfertilized Al horizon. No treatment of the 42 or B horizons gave a yield of the second crop equal to that of the unfertilized A1 horizon. Results from the first crop indicate that phosphorus is the element most needed to increase plant growth on the 42 and B horizons. Conover Silt Loam The Conover soil was found to be naturally high in soluble phosphorus. Notwithstanding the fact that the soluble phosphorus present exceeded the limit set for the experiment,applications of phosphate equivalent to five hundred pounds per acre of 20 percent superphosphate were made where phosphorus treatment is indicated. -17... Table 5. Yields of sudan grass with and without fertilizer treatmehts on 1221:1861? and B horizons of lliami silt 10am, Hillsdala sandy efontaine sandy loan, and Conover silt loam. Grams of dry plant tissue. \ FIRST CROP l I SECOND CROP Treatment 000 l 4 K N o P P'+ K N 4 P‘+ I l I OOOIR + Kl! 4 P P’e K N + P + K Horizon IIIAIII SILT 1.04! 11 2.58 1.85 14.29 9.79 15.16 5.12 2.58 4.55 5.82 5.05 12 1.84 .22 4.74 4.40 6.85 1.25 .57 2.51 1.64 1.70 B 5.62 .78 5.96 4.78 7.15 1.55 1.06 1.80 1.10 2.25 HILLSDALBTSABDI’LOAI Al 9.48 12.68 1.20% 14.28 14061 6087 8049 6064 60% 7.10 42 .16 .25 .25 1.44 2.61 .79 .28 1.12 .66 1.50 B .24 .19 4.20 .75 5.94 .54 .26 1.72 5.65 2.52 BELLEFONTAIUB SANDT’LOAI ‘1 5.00 2055 6.65 7054 9.05 2016 205]. 5.02 5015 5046 12 .69 1.19 2.71 2.72 5.75 .75 1.45 1.02 .79 1.02 B .85 .88 5.25 2.50 5.74 1.64 1.20 .80 .85 1.66 CONOVER SILT L04! ‘1 5.2 6.19 5.51 10.40 10.74 6.15 10.00 7.57 7.82 10.01 ‘2 2.55 2.76 5.16 4.24 4.71 2.11 4.55 5.16 2.57 5.58 B 2.5 2.55 5.66 2.70 5.65 1.60 2.06 2.48 1.64 2.51 “-1”- .- .___._.-_-,—_ _ - - _ .4. - 'iW' J 056 11.12 Qeqe’:'_'—r {04541450 in. . . 1. VAQ.‘ I: :' 13ml. r-F ‘.-r -18.. The data show that all applications of fertilizer to the 42 horizon increased the yield of sudan grass over that of the untreated soil. ‘lith corresponding fertilizer treatments, the Al horizon produced greater yields than either the 42 or B horizons. For the first crop, the phosphorus p1na nitrogen and the complete fertilizer treatments gave larger yields on the B horizon than were obtained from the unfertilized Al horizon. The same'was true for the complete fertilizer and phosphorus plus potassium treatments on the 12 horizon. Increases in yield from complete fertilizer treatments‘were relatively greater on the 51 horizon than on thfi Ag and B horizons, especially for the first crop. Notwithstanding the naturally high soluble phosphorus content of this soil, the data for the first crop show that additions of phosphorus increased the yield of sudan grass more than additions of either nitrogen or potassium. Nutrient Deficiency The data in Table 6 show the average of the yields for both the first and second crops, using the yield for the untreated surface soil as 100. If ‘we accept the premise that “re-nose" of a lower horizon is overcome‘when a yield equal to that from the untreated surface soil is obtained, it is evident from the data that only those treatments supplying phosphorus on the Miami type and the complete fertilizer treatment on the Bellefontaine type have overcome the 'rewness' of the 42 and B horizon soil. The columns headed "Percent Decrease Due To The Omission of One Element From N + P e K" are based on the assumption that the maximum yield is obtained from the complete fertilizer treatment, and that the omission of one element from that treatment results in a decrease in yield of plant material, ‘which.may be ascribed directly to the deficiency of that element. The data are given as percent decrease in yield. -19.. On the liami soil type, the percentage decrease is greatest for phosphorus, nitrogen showing the second greatest decrease, and potassium being the least deficient. Exactly the same results are found on the 42 and B horizons of both the Hillsdale and Bellefontaine types. The Conover type is an exception. The data show the Conover to be most deficient in potassium on the Al and 42 horizons and most deficient in nitrogen on the B horizon. _ 20 - Teble 6. Average yields of two crops of sudan grass, based on the yields of the unfertilized ‘1 horizon as 100. Percent decrease in yield due to the omission of one element, based on the results from the complete fertilizer treatment. 1 Percent Decrease Due To The Omission of One ' Element From N+P+K Treatment Element Soil Type Horizon 000 R +»K N + P P‘+ K N 4 P 4 K I' P I Iiami 41 100 74 550 274 555 22.8 79.1 7 Silt 42 54 16 127 106 150 29.5 89.5 15.5 Loan 6 90 52 156 106 164 55.5 60.4 17 311186319 11 100 150 120 156 155 -2.5 2.5 9.7 Sandy 42 6 5 22 15 24 45.8 67.5 8.5 Loan 6 5 5 56 27 40 52.5 92.5 10.0 Bellefontain 41 100 98 187 205 245 16.4 59.6 25.0 Sandy ‘ 42 26 51 72 66 95 26.6 45.1 22.5 L08" 8 46 41 78 65 105 56.0 60.9 25.7 Conover 51 100 171 146 195 520 12.2 22.5 55.6 Silt Ag 57 77 67 72 88 18.1 12.5 25.8 Loam B 44 49 65 46 65 26.0 22.2 -5.2 -21.. SUIIABI A study was made to determine if the unproductiveness of the 42 and B horizons of four soil types, as indicated by the growth of sudan grass in one- gallon Jars of the soil, could be overcome by addition of various combinations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Through the addition of fertilizers, the amount of easily soluble phosphorus and potassium in the soils was raised to one hundred pounds to the acre. Since the horizons of the Conover silt loam already contained more than one hundred pounds of easily soluble phosphorus, a uniform application of five hundred pounds per acre of 20 percent superphosphate *was made when the fertilizer treatment called for phosphorus. For comparison, the Al horizon of each soil type was given the same fertilizer treatments as the 42 and B horizons received. The soils were stored for one year after removal from the field. Single crops were grown each of the next two years. Data for the first crop show that the addition of a complete fertilizer to the Ag and B horizons of all soil types studied, except the Billsdale, resulted in a yield in excess of that obtained from the corresponding unfertilized ‘1 horizon. The same result was obtained in several instances where other fertilizer combinations were applied. The exceptionally high yields for the Hillsdale A1 horizon, with or without treatment, place the results for this soil at variance *with the results from the other soils studied. The data for the second crap show that the untreated Al'horizon gave a greater yield in all cases than that on any treatment of the 42 and B horizons. This may possibly be due to a greater efficiency of nutrients on crapped soil, as described by Conner (7). -22... Despite the high content of easily soluble phosphorus contained in the Conover silt 10am, the addition of phosphorus carrying fertilizer increased the yield of sudan grass over that obtained from the corresponding unfertilized soil horizon. From the data, it» appears that for all soil types except the Conover, phosphorus is most necessary to maximum plant growth on the subsurface horizons, the need for nitrogen comes next, and potassium is least deficient. l. 2. 5. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 12. 15. 14. BIBLIOGRAPHY Alway, F. J. 1918. The 'Rawness' of Subsoils. Sci., 761. 47, pp. 1964198 Alway, F. J. and IcDole, Guy R. 1916. The Loose Soils of the Hebraska Portion of the Transition Region 1. HygroscOpioity, Nitrogen, and Organic Carbon Soil Sci., No. 1, pg. 197 Alway, F. J., ch019, G. R., and Boat, C. O. 1917. The Loose Soils of the Nebraska Portion of the Transition Region: VI The relative 'rewness' of the subsoils. Soil Sci., Vol. 5, Ho. 1, pp. 9-55 Bouyoucos, G. J. 1929. A.lew Simple and Rapid Hethod for Determining the loisture Equivalent of Soils, and the Role of Soil Colloids on This loisture Equivalent. Soil Sci., Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 255-241 Bouyoucos, G. J. 1950. A Comparison of the Hydrometer Method and the Pipette Method for flaking Mechanical Analysis of Soils, with New Directions. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., Vol. 25, Ho. 4, pp. 747-751 Connor, 8. D. 1950. Fertility Tests of Soil Horizons-Report of the Tenth Annual fleeting of the American Soil Survey Association, March 1950, pg. 122 Conner, S. D. 1955. Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Requirement of Indiana Surface Soils and Subsoils. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 52-56 Crist, J} I} and leaver, J. E. 1924. Adsorption of Hutrients from Subsoil 1n Rahtion to Crop Yield. Bate 68‘s, v01. 77’ NO. 2, pp.121-148 Traps, G. S. 1917. Principles of Agricultural Chemistry. Chemical Publishing Company, 501 pages Hall, Sir A. D. 1920. The Soil. Third Edition. London Harmer, P. M. 1918. The Relative 'Rawness' of Some Humid Subsoils. Soil Sci., Vol. 5, pp. 595-401 Hilgard, E.’l. 1892. A Report on the Relations of Soils to Climate. U.S.D.A. Ieather Bulletin 5 Hilgard, E.‘l$ 1911. Soils - Their Formation, Properties, and Relation to Climate and Plant Growth in the Humis and Arid Regions. 589 pages, 89 figures. new York Hoagland, D. R. and Martin, J. C. 1955. Adsorption of Potassium by Plants in Relation to Replaceable, Hon-replaceable, and Soil Solution Potassium. Soil Sci., vol. 56, No. 1, pp. 1-54 I T w p I I | We?" 0 e! lo 57"» at" .3 .. . . o~ . i 45971.1va 57’! I; :5 a . ' us’ I 415.. 01': ,1 .4. q'. 0" as. . In” N“ (11174;: ;- u.’ .c'u ‘ - I .. ' , 7 Q0 afi'tlioflz "9.: '5'. 215‘ ‘ , '_ ‘. _ ' 1.1.7.3.: “in ‘3 .01.?g .ICIV o wit" . . 4" - ~ ° .- essaglq an) on? boossL ern' H' V ~t': . , ~, fl 3’1. .4110310 :l't.°.1't' '1! .3 .4 ‘ n’r..;1“9$ .qt (L 00' '3‘; air" 7.”. '21-:- w‘“:' 0‘ 4 a ., M OI‘JM i'JOtjefl-bacxffirf J . 7n - ‘4}- ; 5 m .m'oiiuisoau 7:me 11:-) «4431 ".- ' . tee. '_‘:;:.~ ‘ we m .-m 1. .m u. . .«mmi .465 .m we; .enema rm «:5 ; were" « V . . 8%?3 . ._[ .1 .1" r9991 ea" c r> . 170’ .hfefY 33:0 l."i'nfil.,'!_ it '. a. .4354... E '3 E J i '4‘. 59'3134 *2. 15. 16. 17. 18.‘ 19. 20. 21. 25. 24. 25. 26. Kramer, B, and Tisdall, F. F. 1921. A Clinical Method for the Quantitative Determination of Potassium in Small Amounts of Serum. Jour. Bio. Chem., Vol. 46, pp. 359-549 Lipman, C. B. 1917. The “Ra-mess" of Subsoils. Sci., Vel. 46, pp. 288-290 Lyon, T. L. and Buckman, H. O. 1929. The nature and Properties of Soils. lhclillan Company, New York lcliller, Paul R. 1919. Some Notes on the Cause of the Unproductivity of the "Ram" Subsoils in Humid Regions. Soil Sci., Vol. 7, pp. 253-236 Miller, C. E. 1925. Axailability of nutrients in Subsoils. Soil Sci., Vol. 19, pp. 275-286 Iillar, C. E. 1927. Studies of the Removal of nutrients from Subsoil by Alfalfa. Soil Sci., Vbl. 25, pp. 261—269 lillar, C. E. 1953. Availability to Corn of nutrients in the A2 and B Horizons of Hillsdale Loam. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., vol. 25, pp. 418-426 Spun-ay, C. H. 1955. Soil Testing. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul. 152 Thornton, S. F. 1955. The Available Phosphorus and Potassium Contents of Surface Soils and Subsoils as She-n by the leubauer Method and by Chemical Tests. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., vol. 27, pg. 46 Truog, Emil. 1950. Preposed Iethod for Determining Readily Available Phosphorus of Soils. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., Vol. 22, pg. 879 leaver, J. E., Jean, F. 0., and Grist, J.'I. 1922. Development and Activities of Roots of Crop Plants. Carnegie Inst. ‘lashington Pub. 516 lheeting. L. C. 1924. Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Several Soil Profiles. Mich. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bul. 62 The effect of complete fertiliser on the and B horizons of Miami silt loam, as compared to he unfer- tilized and completely fertilised A1 horizon. First crop at 60 days after planting. 1. A1 unfertilized 2. A2 Complete Fertiliser 8. B Complete Fertilizer 4. A1 Complete Fertiliser The effect of complete fertiliser on the horizons of Hillsdsle sandy loan, as compare unfertilized and completely fertilised A1 horizon. First crop at 60 days after planting. 1. 2. 5. 4. A1 Unfertilized 12 Complete Fertilizer 8 Complete Fertiliser 11 Complete Fertilizer and B to the The effect of complete fertilizer on the A2 and B horizons of Bellefontaine sandy loan, as compared to the unfertilized and completely fertilised A1 horizon. First crop at 60 days after planting. 1. A1 Unfertilized 2. A2 Complete Fertiliser 5. B Complete Fertilizer 4. A1 Complete Fertilizer PLATE 4 The effect of complete fertilizer on the A2 and B horizons of Conover silt loan, as compared to the unfertilized and completely fertized A1 horizon. First crop at 60 days after planting. 1. A1 Unfortilized 2. A2 Complete Fertilizer 5. B Complete Fertilizer 4. A1 Complete Fertilizer in: 35 Sep 29 '53 ROOM Ucf ON! y ICHIceN STQTE UNIV. LIBRQRIES m1|WImWWI”1111111”l1\IWIIHWIHIHHI 31293011075951