Comparative growth responses of perennial forage legumes in hill‐land ultisols and their relationship to soil acidity‐related factors

Abstract

Abstract As soils of humid, temperate hill‐lands are typically highly weathered, mineral, and acidic, forage legumes for these conditions need to be evaluated, and limiting soil acidity‐related factors determined. Two ultisol topsoils (0–15 cm) from Appalachian hill‐lands of the Lily series (Typic Hapludults) were utilized 1n a growth chamber experiment. Both soils were of similar pH and low 1n fertility but different in % base saturation due to different management histories (abandoned versus poorly‐managed pasture). Treatments to provide a range of soil pH values (aluminum, nil, calcium) were applied to ascertain their effect on various growth response traits of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), big flower vetch (Vicia grandiflora Scop.), and flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.). Averaging over all soils and treatments, shoot production Increased 1n the order‐alfalfa < red clover, white clover, tre...