Whey as a Source of Plant Nutrients and Its Effect on the Soil

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Abstract
Through laboratory analysis and field studies a ton of whey was found to contain about 1 dollar''s worth of N, P, K plus significant amounts of Na, Ca, Mg, and chlorides. Whey applications have little effect on the pH of soils which are near neutral. Whey added to soils with a pH of 5.0-5.5 may temporarily increase the soil acidity to a point which is injurious to plant growth. Alfalfa will tolerate but not benefit appreciably from one-half acre inch of whey per week. However, whey applications increased growth of grasses, especially during the second growing season. This delayed benefit seems due to the slow breakdown of nitrogen compounds in the whey. Whey applications greatly benefit aggregation of a silt loam soil with the amount of aggregation being dependent on the amount of whey added.

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