Lime effect on forage legume growth and mineral composition in an acid subsoil

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Abstract
Six legume species [Trifolium pratense, T. repens, Medicago sativa, Lotus corniculatus, Glycine max and Lathyrus sylvestris] and several varieties within the species were grown in a greenhouse pot experiment using the Bt horizon of a Lily (Typic Hapludult) soil. Lime treatments were 0 and 2.2 g Ca(OH)2/kg soil. Liming increased the soil pH from 4.6 to 6.2. The species and varieties responded differentially to lime. Both shoot and root growth of legumes showed a significant species and lime interaction effect. Based on tolerance index groups for shoot growth, alfalfa varieties were classified as very sensitive, red clovers and white clovers as sensitive and Essex soybean and Carroll birdsfoot trefoil as tolerant to the acid soil. The remaining legumes were grouped as moderately tolerant to the acid soil. Liming increased shoot concentrations of Ca in all the legumes and reduced concentration of Mg, K, and Zn. Species and varieties within species differed significantly in concentrations of all mineral elements studied except Mg. Further significant differences in elemental composition were observed due to both lime and lime species interactions. In the limed soil, the Ca concentration of the shoots increased as the tolerance index decreased.