Yield of sugar beet, soybean, corn, field bean, and wheat as affected by lime application on alkaline soils

Environmental regulations and limited storage space compel processors to re move spent limestone and not stockpile it on site. This material is often u sed as a liming material to control pH on acid soils, but in some cases may have to be applied to alkaline soils. This study was undertaken to evaluat e the effect of applying sugar beet processing lime on soils with an alkali ne serum. Studies were conducted at seven sites representing four soil seri es. Lime was applied at rates of 0, 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6 magnesium (Mg) ha(-1) . Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), soybean (Glycine mdu L.), corn (Zea mays L .), field bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) we re used as test crops. Yield of sucrose and roots of sugar beet as well as yield of soybean, corn, field bean, and wheat were not affected by lime app lication. Manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) concentration in leaves of sugar bee t and soybean, and whole field bean plants decreased with increasing lime r ates. These results show this lime may be applied at rates up to 5 Mg ha(-1 ) once every three years on these alkaline soils without negatively affecti ng the yield of sugar beet soybean, corn, field bean, and wheat. Nutritiona l status of these crops should be carefully monitored after lime applicatio n.