Effect of Depth of Lime Application on Yield and Foliar Composition of Soybeans Grown on a Typical Ultisol of Puerto Rico

Abstract

The effects of lime applied at 20, 40, and 60 cm depths, and calcium nitrate applied in the top 20 cm, in terms of yield of two soybean crops, Jupiter variety, and on the factors of soil acidity in Humatas clay (a typical upland Ultisol of Puerto Rico) were determined. Highly significant and significant correlations between soybean yield and factors of soil acidity of the topmost 60 cm of the soil profile were measured in the first and second crops, respectively. A straight line equation best described the results. As long as 33 months following the lime application in treatments bearing lime in the top 20 cm layer, increases of soil pH and bases and subsequent decreases in the exchangeable aluminum content of the 20 to 40 cm layer beneath were evident and indicative of lime movement.