Relationships between Soybean Yield, Soil pH, and Soil Carbonate Concentration

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] often shows symptoms of iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) on high pH, calcareous soils of the U.S. Midwest. The objective of this study was to assess the variation in soybean yield that could be explained by soil pH and carbonate concentration in Iowa fields. Color aerial images of soybean canopy taken from 2000 to 2002 from 12 fields having acid to calcareous soils were used to select 10 to 28 sampling areas 10 to 25 m2 in size to encompass significant variability in early soybean growth and IDC symptoms in each field. Representative areas 0.93 m2 in size were identified through field observations to collect soil samples and measure grain yield. Soil pH measured to a 15‐cm depth across fields ranged from 5.6 to 8.2 and calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE) ranged from 0 to 30%. Soil CCE varied from 2.5 to 30% as pH ranged from 7.7 to 8.2. Grain yield decreased with increasing pH and CCE in 9 and 11 fields, respectively. Soil pH and CCE explained 30 and 41% of the variability in relative yield across sites, respectively. An alkalinity stress index (ASI) that combined both measurements (pH + 0.14CCE) was developed based on the relative effects of each measurement on yield and explained 45% of the yield variability across sites. The index developed was a better predictor of soybean yield in fields with high‐pH soils than each measurement alone.