Effect of subsurface acidity on alfalfa in a Tatum clay loam

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Abstract
Soil acidity is a major cause of low yields and reduced longevity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the Eastern United States. This research was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of subsurface placement (30 cm) of P and K fertilizer and dolomitic lime on alfalfa yield and quality. The study was carried out in 1981 and 1982 on a Tatum clay loam (Typic Hapludult, clayey, mixed, thermic) soil where plowsole amendments were applied in 1980. The experimental design was a completely randomized block and was seeded with ‘WL 311’ alfalfa. Yields and root length were not altered by the absence of plowsole application of lime, P or K. Soil exchangeable Al was higher, while pH was lower for soils in the control, as compared to treatments where lime was placed in the plowsole. These data indicate that the ‘WL 311’ variety will grow through the Tatum soil subsurface horizons in spite of its acidic nature and high exchangeable Al content. This may be related to the greater tolerance of this variety to Al.