D. A. Rennie
Department of Soli Science Ullverslty of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
printed June, 1961
1960
D.A. Rennie
Department of Soil Science. Lhiversity·of Saskatchewan
CONTENTS
Page
Productivity of Sub-Group Profile Types ... ... 1
1\Aet hods . . • . . . • . . . • . . • . . . 1
Description of Soils . • . . . • . . . • . . . • . . . • 3
Results ...... .. . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Elstow Soils - Goodale Farm . . . • . . . • . . 4
Elstow Soi Is - Popoff Farm . • . • . . . • . . . 9
Oxbow Soils- Seitz Farm . . . • . . . 12
II Soil Moisture Investigations . . • . . . • • . . 15
1\Aethods ... e • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 15 Rainfall Records . • . . . • . . • . • . . . • . . . • . 15
Resu Its . .. . . • • . • . • . . • . . . . • . . . • . . . • . • . . . • . . • . . 17
Soil Moisture - Spring and Fall . . . • . . 17
Consumptive Use of Water . . . • . 22
Rate of Water Withdrawal . . . 24
I II Summary of Sub- Group Profi I e Investigations for the years 1955-1960. . . 29
IV Field Strip Soil Test Results . . . • . . . 36
V The Protein Content of Grain from the Field Strip Fertilizer Tests 37 VI Acknowledgements . . . • . . . 38
The term sub-group profile is used as defined in the National Soil Survey Com- mittee 1960 Report, 1
and is synonomous with Category IV of the Canadian Soil Classi- fication System.
Purpose - To determine whether crop yield differences with areas that have had uni- form cultural treatment in the past, can be related to pedogenic differences used to separate soils into different units. This project is a cooperative study with the Saskat- chewan Soi I Survey.
Methods - The fertility treatments, plot design and methods of seeding and harvesting, and P 32 counting, were essentially the same as those outlined in the 1957-58 and 59 Tracer Fertilizer Research Reports. In addition to the standard fertilizer treatments that have been used for the past three years, an additional treatment consisting of a KCI- NH
4H2Po
4 mix, carrying an analysis of 5-24-30, was used during the past year. The Neutron Moisture f\Aeter, 2
was used to measure rate of moisture withdrawal and consumptive use of water. Standard rain guages (Equipment Manufacturing Company
Ltd., 82 Industry Street, Mount Dennis, Toronto 15, Ontario) were set out at each field site. The locations of the field sites, together with a brief description of the catenary groups of soils, belonging to the Elstow and Oxbow soil associations are des- cribed below. Specific chemical and physical characteristics of the Aa horizon of each profile are given in Table 1. All plot sites were selected on summerfallow fields.
l.
2.
Report of the meeting of the National Soil Survey Committee of Canada, Feb. 1960.
The Neutron Soil Moisture Meter 1) Calibration; 2) Usefulness in measuring moisture withdrawal by wheat in field fertility experiments. Dept. of Soil Sci.
University of Saskatchewan, 1961.
Farmer Soil Texture pH Cond. Field Cap. Available P-ppm. % O.M. Exchangeable Bases
Co-op- Member mmhos/ % H
20 C0
2 NaHC0
3 (C X 1. 724) m.e./100 g.
era tor em. Na,
K ,
Ca, Mg. B. E. C.m.e./1 00 g .POPOFF* Elstow
Calcareous CL 7.2 0.76 40.1 30.6 13 4.9 .11 1.92 26.0 6.17 34.1 Eluviated L 5.4 1.32 38.2 22.0 22
7.5
.11 2.69 16.8 6.37 31.8 Orthic CL 5.6 0.75 38.6 22.0 22 5.5 .11 2.43 14.0 5.14 30.50GOODALE* Elstow
Calcareous
c
7.5 0.50 34.8 25.6 22 4.7 .22 2.56 28.8 9.05 31.67 Orthic CL 6.0 0.47 32.1 33.0 30 5.1. 11
2.17 11 .75 5. 96 27.13 Eluviated Cl 5.6 0.32 32.2 20.4 24 5. 1 .22 2.46 9.50 5.14 26.03 Humic El.Gleysol CL 5.6 0.41 37.2 13.4 15 6.8 T 2.56 15.25 4.11 32.13
SEITZ* Oxbow
Calcareous L 7.3 1.02 33.1 19.0 10 6.1 T 1.54 33.8 3.7 30.5 Orthic L 6.4 0.75 37.2 22.5 17 6.4 T 1.79 21.8 4.7 33.2 Dark Grey
Wooded CL 6.2 0.57 26.8 14.3 10 4.0 T 1.28 14.5 2.06 20.6 Low Humic
Eluviated
c
6.0 1.28 22.9 21.7 25 2.4 T 1.54 10.3 1.44 14.7Gleysol
*F~;~-c:o:~~~~~--wOiia~-Pop~f,-~vv:5-36~-vv~-~R~s;s~k~~~~s~~~---
John Goodale8 N.E. 32-35-3 W3, 11 11 11 J. Seitz8 N.E. 32-19-18 W2, Zehner, Sask.
DESCRIPTION OF SOILS
The Elstow Soils are a group of soils developed on medium to moderately fine textured calcareous silty lacustrine deposits. Topography in the study area is gently sloping to undulating with two to four percent slopes. External drainage is not well developed. Sub-group profiles studied included the Calcareous Dark Brown {Ah. Bmj, Ck8 C) Orthic Dark Brown (Ah, Bmtj, Cku C) Eluviated Dark Brown (Ah, Ae, Bt, Ck, C) and Humic Eluviated Gleysol (Ah, Ae, Aeg6 Btg, C). The field plot sites were selected within an area of approximately 40 acres on the NE 32-35-3 W2nd. (Mr. John Goodale,
R. R. 59 Saskatoon). Approximately ~ mile north of the Goodale farm, a second set of the same profiles were selected on the farm of Mr. W. Popoff (S. W. 5-.36-3 W3rd).
The Humic Eluviated Gleysol site on Mr. Popoffls farm was discarded due to a severe infest- ation of Wild Oats.
The Oxbow Soils are a group of soils developed on medium textured Calcareous, moderately stony glacial ti II. The field plots were located in a morainic area character-
!zed by moderately to strongly rolling topography with slopes ranging from 5 to 15 percent. External drainoge in the area is practically non-existant. The sub-group profiles studied were the same as those investigated two years ago, 3
and included the Calcareous Black (Ahu Bmj11 Cku C) Orthic Black (Ah, Bmtj, Ck, C) Dark Grey Wooded (Ahe1 Ae6 Bt, C) and low Humic Eluviated Gleysol {Ae, kg, Btg, C). The sites selected were located within a ten-acre block in the N.E. corner of the N.E. 32-19-18 W2nd (Mr. J. Seitz,
Zehner.)
3.
Tracer Fertlizer Report u Department of Soil Science, University of Saskatchewan, 1958.
RESULTS
The data obtained from the various field plot locations are presented in two ways: Firstly 1 the individual data, and secondly, average values are given. In each instance, yield of grain in bushels per acre, the total phosphorus content of the grain, the uptake of fertilizer phosphorus, A values obtained from both the field and the greenhouse, and protein content of the grain are listed in the order outlined. Statistical analysis was conducted using a split plot technique, as outlined by Cochrane and Cox.4
· The major- ity of the discussion that follows is based on the average values listed in the following tables, although occasional reference is made to the individual data.
Elstow Soi Is - Goodale farm
Individual and average data are given in Tables 2 and 3 respectively. The highest average production was recorded for the crop grown on the Humic El uviated Gleysol profile, the least on the Eluviated Chernozem with the Calcareous and Orthic crop yields being of an intermediate value. The lower yield obtained on the Eluviated profile was largely due to the erratic germination of the seedlings. A compact surface crust developed shortly after seeding and the germinating seedlings experienced consider- able difficulty in emerging.
The small, non-significant response to phosphorus ferti I ization recorded on the Calcareous member affords a marked contrast to the highly significant yield increases obtained on the other three members. The additional nitrogen carried in the 23-23-0 carrier 1 or the additional potash in the 5-24-30 carrier, did not on any of the profile sites increase yields over and above that obtained where the 11-48-0 ferti I izer was used. The supply of soil nitrogen was presumably adequate at all four sites to support
4 .
Cochrane, W. G. and G. M. Cox. Experimental Design. John Wiley and Sons Inc. Publisher, New York, Page 300, 1957.
TABLE 2 COMPARATIVE DATA OBTAINED ON FOUR MEMBER PROFILES OF THE ELSTOW CATENA (Goodale, Floral) (A) Yield of grain, bu/ac.
Treatments
CHECK 11-48-0 23-23-0 23-23-0 5-24-30
20 20 40 20
Calcareous Dk. Brown
24.6 27.0 25.5 26.8
Soil Member Orthic Dk. El uviated
Brown Dk . Brown 20.4 13.0 30.0
28.1 27.9
22.1 20.1 18.5 32.2 28.5 18.4
L. S. D. ( P = . 05) = 3 .7 (B) Milligram P/100 g of grain
CHECK 382 358 365
11-48-0 23-23-0 23-23-0 5-24-30
20 20 40 20
399 370 355
385 363 350
387 360 377
399 345 349
L. S. D. ( P == . 05)
=
20 (C) Percent uptake of applied fertilizer {grain only)11-48-0 23-23-0 23-23-0 5-24-30
20 20 40 20
(D) A Values - lb. P/ac. 11-48-0
23-23-0 23-23-0 5-24-30
20 20 40 20
6.1 9.0 7.2 5.6
101 59 71 92
11.7 15.7 13.0 9.9
9.5 13.0 10.0 9.9 L. S. D. ( P == 0. 5)
=
2. 2050 31 29 49
L. S • D . ( P == • 05)
=
11 42 24 25 31(E) Percent Protein in the grain (% N x 5.7) CHECK
11-48-0 23-23-0 23-23-0 5-24-30
20 20 40 20
20.1 19.9 20.3 20.0 20.1
19.7 19.6 19.6 19.7 19. 1
L. S. D { P
= .
05)=
0. 6 20.3 20.2 20.3 20.3 20.2Humic Eluv. Gleysol
30.4 41.3 43.2
46 .5
43.8
328 323 299 281 292
14.5 19.9 17.9 16.5
48 32 29 39
15.3 15.9 15.5 15.9 16.0
TABLE 3
MEAN RESULTS OF TREATMENTS AND SOIL MEMBERS (Eistow Catena, Goodale)
Soil Yield .% M.g .P /1 OOg.% uptake Field Greenhouse Ext. -P Member bu/ac. Protein grain of Fert-P A value A value CO~ NaHPO,
grain lb. P/ac. .lb .. P/ac. I .P/ac. '
Calcareous 25.4 20.1 390 7.0 80 78 52 44
Dark Brown Orthic
Dark Brown 26.9 19.5 359 12.6 39 103 66 60
Eluviated
Dark Brown 18.4 20.2 359 10.6 29 66 40
Humic Eluv.
Gleysol 41.0 15.7 304 17.1 37 45 26 30
L. S. D. ( P=. 05) 3.0 0.4 18 1.6 10
Treatments
CHECK 22.1 18.8 358
11-48-0 at 20 30.0 18.9 361 10.4 59 23-23-0 at 20 29.2 18.9 349 14.4 36 23-23-0 at 40 29.9 19.0 351 12.0 38 5-24-30 at 20 28.4 18.8 346 10.4 52
L.S.D. (P=.05) 1.9 N. S. 10 1.1 5
maximum crop growth under the environmental conditions existing in the vicinity of the plots. The surface soi I at all four sites contained appreciable quantities of exchange- able potash. Expressed in terms of pounds of exchangeable potassium per acre the available ranged potash from a low of 1697 pounds for the Orthic profile to a high of 2,002 pounds per acre for the Calcareous and Gleysolic profiles. With this level of exchangeable potash, additional response to potash fertilization would not be expected.
Grain grown on the Eluviated Gleysol Profile contained the lowest percentage of phosphorus; the percent phosphorus in the grain grown on the other three profiles was quite simi Jar and approximately 1. 0 mg. per gram higher. This additional phosphorus
in the seed might be expected to have an effect on the vigour of the seed in future growth. Treatments receiving 11-48-0 were, in certain instances, characterized by a somewhat higher content of phosphorus than the check grain; applications of either 23-23-0 or 5-24-30 reduced the phosphorus content as compared to the 11-48-0 treatment.
The uptake of fert iIi zer phosphorus 1 based on I y on the amount of fert iIi zer phosphorus present in the grain, varied significantly between different soils. The low average uptake of 7% on the Calcareous member was reflected by a low yield increase due to fertilization. Maximum uptake of the applied fertilizer phosphorus, 17%, was obtained on the Eluviated Gleysol profile.
Field A values, expressed in terms of pounds of P (having an equal availab- ility to that of the particular fertilizer used), suggest that the available phosphorus content of the soils differed quite appreciably. In addition, the disparity in the A value data between those obtained in the field and under greenhouse conditions should be noted. These differences can be explained on the basis of the inability of the crop grown under field conditions to fully exploit the total soil volume.
For example, $Oil from the Orthic profile was characterized by the highest greenhouse A value {and hignest extractable phosphorus as well) yet a relatively low field A value was recordecl. This low field A value was complemented by a r.·1arked response to phosphorus fertilization. It can be assumed that under the conditions which pre- vailed in the vicinity of the Orthic profile during the past year, the plant roots did not fully uti I ize the total soil vol u:·oe. Consequently, the rei ative arnount of soil phosphortJs avai I able to the plant was reduced appreciably. The field and green- house A values obtained on the Calcareous member were practically identical, and both very high. This would indicate that extent of rooting in the field and in the greenhouse in the surface soil was practically the same.
A values reflect not only the availability of the soil phosphorus but also the availability of the fertilizer used. Consequently, under similar soil conditions, the fertilizer resulting in the lowest A value is the most available carrier. The higher availability of the 23-23-0 is due to the ammonium ion, which has been added in the form of ammo~ium nitrate. This has been confirmed in many experiments conducted in past years. Of special interest is the similarity in A values between the 1·1-48-0 and the 11-48-0 which has had additional potash added in the form of KCI. Earlier experi- ments using potassium sulphate as a source of potash resulted in an increase in the A value (a decrease in the plant available phosphorus). This adverse effect of potash was no1· obtained where KCI was used as a source of potassium.
The prol·ein content of the grain grown on the three well-drainad profiles was very simi lor and quite high, presumably a reflection of the hot, dry, July and August period. (Precipitation and moisture use by the crop is discussed later in this report.) In contrast, a marked drop in the protein content of the grain occurred on the Gleysol profile. Fertilization did not alter the protein content of the grain
significantly, in fact, the percent protein was remarkably uniform for both the check and the various fert iIi ty treatments.
Elstow Soils (Popoff Farm)
The data presented in tables 4 and 5 indicate that grain yields, in general, were much higher than those obtained on the Goodale farm, but the comparative differences between the various memb~rs were very similar. (Due to a severe in- festation of Wild Oats, the grain grown on the Gleysol profile was not harvested.) The yield of unfertilized grain was lowest for the Eluviated profile and highest on the Calcareous profile. The response to phosphorus fertilization increased the
absolute yields markedly on the Orthic and Eluviated profiles such that the fertilized yields between the three members were actually very similar, but with the lowest yield now occurring on the Calcareous member. The same general observations and conclusions noted for the Goodale field plot sites, can also be drawn from the data on phosphorus content of the grain, uptake of the fertilizer P available soii-P and percent protein presented in Tables 3 and 4 respectively, and need not be repeated here. In general, the difference in relative magnitude of the data obtained on the Goodale and Popoff field plot sites, is probably due to past cultural practices.
TABLE 4
COMPARATIVE DATA OBTAINED ON THREE MEMBER PROFILES OF THE ELSTOW CATENA - (Popoff, Floral) (A) Yield of grain, bu/ ac.
Soil Member
Treatments lb. Calcareous Orthic Dk.
P20 /ac. Dk. Brown Brown
CHECK 30.6 27.1
11-48-0 20 33.3 39.0
11-48-0 40 35.6 39.0
23-23-'0 20 34.3 36.3
5-24-30 20 34.7 37.1
L. S. D (P = .05) = 3.5 (B) Milligram P/100 g. grain
CHECK 398 331
11-48-0 20 396 345
11-48-0 40 410 375
23-23-0 20 387 355
5-24-30 20 378 378
L. S.D. (P
=
.05)=
25 (C) Percentage uptake of applied fertilizer (grain only)11-48-0 20 14.3 18. 1
11-48-0 40 12.0 15.6
23-23-0 20 16.8 21.2
5-24-30 20 12.8 17.8
L. S.D. (P
=
.05)=
3.8(D) A value, lb. P/ac.
11-48-0 20 56 38
11-48-0 40 58 40
23-23-0 20 40 28
5-24-30 20 52 39
L.S. D. (P
=
.05)=
15(E) Percent Protein in the grain (%N X 5.7)
CHECK 19.7 19.6
11-48-0 20 19.7 19.4
11-48-0 40 19.5 19.4
23-23-0 20 19.3 19.6
5-24-30 20 19.7 19.6
L.S.D. (P
=
.05) N.S.El uviated Ddrk Brown
25.4 37.2 38.6 36.9 36.9
388 367 384 382 377
17.7 17.0 23.4 19.1
38 39 27 35
19. 1 19. 1 19.0 19. 1 19.3
TABLE 5
MEAN RESULTS OF TREATMENTS AND SOIL MEMBERS (Eistow Catena, Popoff)
Soil Yield, % MgP/100 g. %uptake Field Greenhouse Ext.-P
t.kmber bu./ac. Protein grain of Fe~t-P A value A value C0
2 NaHPO.
grain lb. P/ac. lb. P/ac. lb. P/ac.
Calcareous
Dark Brown 33.7 19.6 393 14.0 49 50 62 26
Orthic
Dark Brown 35.7 19.5 356 18.2 36 76 44 44
Eluviated
Dark Brown 35.0 19. 1 379 19.3 35 63 44 44
L.S.D. (P=.05)=1 .5 0.3 20 1.8 5
Treatments
CHECK 27.7 19.4 372
11-48-0 at 20 36.5 19.4 368 16.7 43
11 -48-0 at 40 37.8 19.3 389 14.9 44
23-23-0 at 20 35.8 19.3 374 20.5 32
5-24-30 at 20 36.2 19.6 377 16.6 42
L.S.D. (P=. 05)= 2. 0 N.S. 14 2.2 9
Oxbow Soils - (Seitz farm)
The comparative individual and average data obtained on the four sub-group profiles are given in Tables 6 and 7 respectively. The low Humic Eluviated Gleysol soil proved to be the least productive, followed in order of increasing yield by the
Calcareous, the Dark Grey Wooded, with the Orthic soil the most productive. With- out fertilization, the yield on the Orthic was approximately twice that obtained on the Eluviated Gleysol. A marked response was obtained to phosphate fertilization on all sub-group profile types, and consequently, the relative productivity between sites did not change appreciably with fertilization. Increasing the nitrogen content, or adding potash to the 11-48-0 carrier, did not change yields appreciably. A small response to the KCI, which was not significant, was obtained only on the Calcareous
Black profile. The Oxbow soils in general, contained significantly less avai I able potash than that mentioned earlier for the Elstow soi Is. However, these soi Is sti II contained an average amount of 1200 lbs. of K per acre, which should be more than sufficient to supply the plant with its potash requirement. The lack of reponse to the applied potash confirms the high potash content of the soi I.
Again, considerable variation in the total phosphorus content of the grain was
recorded between the various sites. The phosphorus content of the grain was increased by the by the 11-48-0 application but was unaffected by the other fertilizer treatment.
The percent uti I ization of the applied fertilizer phosphorus ranged from a low of 7.4 to a high of 17.0 for the Low Humic Eluviated Gleysol and Dark Grey Wooded sites respectively. The reader's attention is drawn to the marked similarity between field and greenhouse A values and in addition, the extractable phosphorus value. This agreement between these various indices of avai I able soil phosphorus was not obtained on the Elstow soils.
TABLE 6
COMPARATIVE DATA OBTAINED ON FOUR MEMBER
PROFILES OF THE OXBOW ASSOCJATION- (Seitz, Edenwold) (A) Yield, bu./ ac.
Soil Member
Treatments lb./ac. Calcareous Orthic Dark Grey low Humic of P
20
5 Black Black Wooded El uv. Gleysol
CHECK 29.9 49.8 39.0 24.5
11-48-0 20 36.9 54.7 47.5 34.0
11-48-0 40 38.5 55.5 51.5 35.9
23-23-0 20 37.5 52.6 50.0 31.2
5-24-30 20 40.2 54.6 50.1 27.9
l. S.D. (P
=
.05)=
40(B) Milligrams P per 100 g. grain
CHECK 368 403 315 276
11-48-0 20 372 412 328 285
11-48-0 40 388 423 340 303
23-23-0 20 374 409 309 282
5-24-30 20 368 411 313 305
l. S.D. (P
= .
05)=
25(C) Percentage UEtake of applied fertilizer-P (grain only)
11-48-0 20 11.7 14.4 13.9 6.9
11-48-0 40 9.9 14.8 15.7 7.1
23-23-0 20 15.6 17.1 20.3 9.1
5-24-30 20 12.7 17.9 18.2 6.2
l. S. D. (P
=
.05)=
2.9(D) A value, lb. P/ac.
11-48-0 20 63 93 63 82
11-48-0 40 80 79 50 82
23-23-0 20 47 69 38 51
5-24-30 20 62 67 44 75
L.S.D. (P
=
.05)=
16(E) Percent Protein in the grain (% N X 5.7)
CHECK 17.0 15.6 16.5 14.5
11-48-0 20 16.9 15.6 16.5 15.0
11-48-0 40 16.8 15.4 16.7 14.6
23-23-0 20 16.7 15.6 16.6 14.9
5-24-30 20 16.5 15.2 16. 1 14. 1
l.S.D. (P
=
.05)=
0.4TABLE 7
MEAN RESULTS OF TREATMENTS AND SOIL MEMBERS (Oxbow Catena, Seitz)
Soil Yield, % ~P/100 g. %uptake Field Greenhouse Ext .-P Member bu./ac. Protein grain of Fert-P A value A value C0
2 NaHPO.
(grain) lb. P/ac. lb. P/ac. lb. P/ac.
Calcareous
Black 36.6 16.8 374 12.5 62 46 38 20
Orthic
Black 53.5 15.5 411 16.0 74 68 46 34
Dark Grey
Wooded 47.6 16.5 320 17.0 48 43 28 20
Low Humic
Eluv. Gleysol 30.7 14.7 290 7.4 72 44 50
L S. D. ( P
= .
05) 5.0 0.2 10 2.0 9Treatments
CHECK 35.8 15.9 340
11-48-0 at 20 43.2 16.0 349 11.7 72 11-48-0 at 40 45.4 15.9 364 11.9 72 23-23-0 at 20 42.8 15.9 343 15.5 51
5-24-30 at 20 43.2 15.5 349 13.8 62
L. S . D . ( P
= .
05) 2.5 0.3 14 1.5 8SOIL MOISTURE INVESTIGATIONS
Method - Four seamless steel tubes,
4
feet long, were installed at each plot site, two on the fertilized {ll-48-0) and two on the check treatment respectively. The installation of these tubes was greatly facilitated by the use of a hydraulic soil auger mounted on an I. H. C. truck. The neutron probe was lowered into the steel tube and activity counts taken at 6 inch intervals to a depth of 48 inches. These counts were taken at seeding time, at intervals throughout the summer, and again at time of harvest.It was possible to install the tubes and carry out the moisture measurements with I ittle significant damage to the growing crop. The moisture content of the 0-611 samples was determined using the usual gravimetric procedures, since it was not possible to accurately determine the moisture content in this surface layer using the well type neutron meter.
A full calibration study of the neutron meter was carried out on the three Popoff member profile sites. This study was conducted after the crop was harvested in the fall, and involved determining densities using the Uhland Soil Sampler and sampling the soil at 611 intervals for gravimetric moisture determinations. The truck-mounted corer was used for these latter determinations. These calibration studies are notre- ported here, but have been included in the neutron meter report referred to earlier. 2
·
Rainfall Records: Precipitation records from the Seitz, Popoff, and Goodale plot sites are given in Table 8. Rainfall was particularly heavy in the vicinity of the Seitz farm during June! but was also sufficient at the Popoff and Goodale plot sites to stimulate luxurious growth during the late spring and early summer. Little effective precipitation fell during July or August at any of the plots. The hot dry weather which prevailed during July and early August reduced yields appreciably, but the heavy crop actually withstood the drought remarkably well.
TABLE 8
RAINFALL RECORDS
(A) J. Seitz Farm, (B) W. Popoff Farm 1 (C) J. Goodale,
Zehner. Saskatoon Saskatoon
Date Inches of Water Date Inches of Water Date Inches of Water
June 7 0.04 June 10 0.10 June 10 0.00
June 16 0.55 June 16 0.65 June 16 0.58
June 20 1.74 June 20 0.40 June 20 0.20
June 21 2.76 June 26 2.09 June 26 2.06
June 25 2.13 June 29 0.02 June 29 Tr.
July 1 0.41 July 29 0.33 July 29 0.31
Aug. 7 0.92 Aug. 8 1.18 Aug. 8 1.22
TOTAL 8.92 4.94 4.56
RESULTS
Soil Moisture, Spring and Fall: The inches of water present in the soil for 6"
intervals to a depth of 48" is given in Tables 9, 10 and 11 for the Seitz, Goodal and Popoff plot sites respectively. There was very little difference between the moisture profiles of the fertilized or check plots and consequently only the average data are presented here for discussion. The Q-4' moisture profile did not differ appreciably between the sites at any one location in the spring. For example, at the Seitz location the Orthic profile contained the least amount of water, 12.86 inches and Eluviated Gleysol, the maximum, 13.39 inches, or a total difference of approximately! an inch of water throughout the four foot depth. It can therefore be concluded that the marked differences in yields which were recorded on the different sites cannot be attributed to differing amounts of stored moisture at time of seeding. The horizontal solid lines inscribed in each table represent the probable maximum depth of moisture used by the growing crop. Below this line, the difference between the spring and fall moisture contents was less than 0. 2 inches. At the Seitz location, moisture withdrawal occurred to a depth of approximately 24 inches on the Orthic profile, 30 inches on the Calcareous profile, 36 inches on the Dark Grey Wooded, and only 30 inches on the poorly drained Gleysol profile. The average depth of moisture use of approximately 30 inches is considerably less than that usually recorded for cereal grains grown in the Western Great Plains Region. During 1959, a similar study con- ducted on sub-group profiles belonging to the Weyburn Catena indicated moisture use to a depth in excess of 4 feet.
The depth of moisture withdrawal for the various sub-group profiles studied on the Goodale farm, also ranged from 24 to 30 inches. The Gleysol or poorly drained member, proved an exception as considerable moisture was withdrawn to a depth of
TABLE 9
J. SEITZ - INCHES OF WATER PRESENT TO DEPTH OF FOUR FEET
Calcareous Orthic Dark Grey Wooded Low Humic Eluv. Depth Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall 0-6" 1.69 1.15 1.80 l. 19 1.55 0.89 1.08 0.59 6-12" 1.66 0.75 1.55 0.79 1.73 0.97 1.70 1.05 12-18" 1.70 1.05 1.47 0.82 1.58 0.81 1.94 1.32 18-24" 1.67 1.35 1.51 1.01 1.62 0.90 1.81 1.17 24-30" 1.73 1.59 1.60 1.28 1.69 0.97 1.70 1.26 30-36" 1.76 1.63 1.59 1.43 1.69 1.27 1.64 1.52 36-42" 1.73 1.63 1.66 1.61 1.72 1.57 1.76 1.71 42-48" 1.79 1.66 1.68 1.63 1.71 1.61 1.78 1.76
TOTAL 13.73 10.80 12.86 9.76 13.25 8.93 13.39 10.38
WATER
USED 2.93 3.10 4.32 3.01
TABLE 10
J. GOODALE- INCHES OF WATER PRESENT TO A DEPTH OF FOUR FEET
Calcareous Orthic Eluviated Humic Eluiv. Gley. Depth Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall 0-6" 1.68 1.05 1.44 0.81 1.41 0.87 1.86 0.84 6-12" 1.67 0.87 1.67 0.89 1.52 0.77 1.83 0.85 12-18" 1.72 0.84 1.68 1.04 1.68 0.99 1.94 1.16 18-24" 1.58 0.98 1.86 1.40 1. 91 1.67 2.06 1.25 24-30" 1.70 1.50 1.97 1.88 2.01 1.97 2.14 1.41 30-36" 1.85 1.82 2.14 2.09 2.15 2.13 2.19 1.61 36-42" 1.99 2.02 2.19 2. 18 2.20 2.24 2.34 1.58 42-48" 2.07 2.07 2.22 2.27 2.19 2.21 2.44 1.75
TOTAL 14.26 11.15 15.17 12.55 15.05 12.84 16.80 10.44
WATER
USED 3.11 2.62 2.21 6.36
TABLE 12
DEPTH
0-611 6-1211
12-2411 24-3611 36-4811
EFFECT OF SOIL TYPE ON THE PERCENT DISTRIBUTION OF ROOTS THROUGHOUT THE 0-4 FOOT DEPTH
Goodale Farm, Elstow Soils
--- ---
CALCAREOUS ORTHIC ELUVIATED HUMIC ELUVIATED GLEYSOL
82.4 80.1 75.9 74.7
6.4 8.9 12.9 8.6
4.1 6.4 8.4 7.2
4.2 3.6 1.2 4.6
2.8 1.0 1.7 4.8
four feet. There was some indication that the moisture withdrawal data obtained on the Gleysol profile, reflects not only crop use, but also a possible net downward movement of water within the profile.
A deeper penetration of the active water absorbing roots is suggested from the moisture withdrawal data obtained on the Popoff farm. In this instance, depths of moisture withdrawal ranged from 36 to 48 inches with the deepest moisture use recorded on the Calcareous profile.
A direct measurement of the percent distribution of roots was obtained on the four Goodale plot sites. The P
32 injection technique 5
was used to measure distribution of roots from the surface to a four foot depth. The root distribution data obtained on the four sub-group profile sites is given in Table 12. These data in general, complement the moisture withdrawal data referred to earlier in Table 10. Where the percentage distribution of roots falls below 4% of the total for the 0-4 foot depth, moisture with- drawal was practically non-existant. Only on the Gleysolic profile were appreciable quantities of roots found throughout the 4-foot depth, and this coincides with significant changes in soil moisture content between the spring and fall moisture measurements. Consumptive Use of Water: The amount of water used by the unfertilized and fertilized {11-48-0 at 40 lbs per acre) wheat, is given in Table 13. The absolute amount of water used by the check and fertilized crops was very similar for all profile sites.
However, the evapo-transpiration ratio was appreciably lower for the ferti I ized than the unferti I ized crop. The average evapo-transpiration ratio obtained (based on grain yield only) for all sites, was 1382 and 1032 for the unfertilized and fertilized crops respectively. Soil type influenced the moisture use pattern considerably. The evapo-
5.
G. J. Racz, The P32 Injection Method of Studying Root Distribution. M. Sc. Thesis, Department of Soil Science, Univ. of Sask. May, 1961.
TABLE 13
AMOUNT OF WATER USED BY UNFERTLIZED AND FERTLIZED (11-48-0 at 40 lbs./ac.) WHEAT
Soil Member Inches of water used Evaporation- Yield by crop(inc. rainfall) trans pi ration bu./ac.
to a 4 ft depth Ratio
CHECK FERT. CHECK FERT. CHECK FERT.
OXBOW-( Seitz)
Calcareous 11 .70 11.79 1474 1204 29.9 36.9
Orthic 11.70 12.08 885 832 49.8 54.7
Dark Grey
Wooded 13.24 13.04 1279 1034 39.0 47.5
Low Humic
El uv. Gleysol 11.51 11.98 1769 1308 24.5 34.0
Average for
field 12.03 12.22 1352 1095 35.8 43.2
ELSTOW-( Goodale)
Calcareous 7.8 7.25 1222 1011 24.6 27.0
Orthic 7.31 7.07 1349 887 20.4 30.0
Eluviated 6.77 6.78 1960 1156 13.0 22.1
Humc Eluv.
Gleysol 10.83 11.01 1342 1004 30.4 41.3
Average for
field 8.22 8.02 1468 1015 22.1 30.0
ELSTOW-(Popoff)
Calcareous 10.76 9.18 1324 1039 30.6 33.3
Orthic 8.74 9.36 1214 904 27.1 39.0
Eluviated 9.33 9.61 1383 973 25.4 37.2
Average for
field 9.61 9.38 1307 972 27.7 36.5
transpiration ratios were generally lowest for the grain grown on the Orthic profile at all sites. This could be interpreted as indicating that the Orthic profile was the most productive soil. In addition to reflecting level of available phosphate (as influenced by fertilizer application), and differences between soil type, the evapo-transpiration ratios also vary with absolute yield of grain. As grain yield went up, evapo-transpiration ratios dropped,.
Rate of Water Withdrawal: The rate of moisture withdrawal from the soi I for the various plot sites is given in Tables 14, 15 and 16. The data given in these tables expressed as lbs of water used per day over an area of an acre were fortunately not affected by precipitation, since rainfall during July and August was practically non-existant.
The data given for the Seitz plots in Table 14 are for the period June 28th to August 13th inclusive. (The crop was harvested on August 13th.) During this period, approximate
2~ tons of water was used per day from the 6-12 inch depth. This graded down to ap-
proximately~- ton per day for the 42-46 inch depth. Fertilization increased the rate of withdrawal slightly. The differences recorded between the different soi I types for any one depth are not large, but are probably significant. However, these differences are cumulative and when expressed for the 0-4 foot depth, rather large differences in water use per day for the various sub-group profiles are evident. For example, grain grown on the Dark Grey Wooded soil used over 10 tons of water per day, as against 7~ tons for the Calcareous profile.
The period of water withdrawal recorded for the Goodale sites is given for the time period July 18th to August 24th inclusive. During this stage of growth, the grain was much more mature and consequently the rate of withdrawal per day is considerably less than that recorded for the Seitz location. The per diem consumption of water by the fertilized crop was considerably less than that for the check, presumably due to
TABLE 14
RATE OF WATER WITHDRAWAL LB. WATER/DAY/ ACRE June 28- August 13 inclusive
Oxbow Catena- Seitz
Low Humic Average Depth Calcareous Black Orthic Black Dark Grey Wooded El uv. Gl eysol for field
Check Fert. Check Fert. Check Fert. Check Fert.
- -
Check Fert. 6-12" 5896 5527 4790 4863 4643 4938 4716 4659 5011 4996 12-18" 3406 4274 3758 4604 4348 4717 3390 3611 3725 3942 18-24" 2063 2285 3095 3463 4053 4348 3169 3685 3095 3445 24-30" 1032 1032 2358 2653 3906 4569 2063 2358 2339 2653 30-3611 737 1252 1326 1548 2358 2874 958 663 1344 158436-42" 958 295 810 885 1253 958 295 368 829 626
42-48" 884 811 810 737 884 737 221 0 699 571
TOTAL
0-48" 15,476 15,476 16,947 18,753 21,445 23,142 14,812 15,254 17,.042 18Q 176
TABLE 15
II
Depth Calcareous Dk .Br.
Check Fert. 6-12" 92 183
12-18" 825 733 18-24" 1283 733 24-3011 1374 183 30-36" 550
36-42" 641
42~48" 275 366
TOTAL 5040 2198
0~·4811
- - - -
RATE OF WATER WITHDRAWAL LB. WATER/ DAY/ ACRE July 18 - August 24 inc I usive
Elstow Catena - Goodale
Humic Orthic Dk. Br. El uviated Dk. Br. El uv. Gleysol Check Fert. Check Fert. Check Fert.
92 183 0 183 733 641
183 1191 500 366 1099 733
733 550 641 916 1558 916
825 366 275 458 2565 2749
366 366 458 92 3115 3023
458 183 92 4398 4306
92 4031 4123
1657 2839 2108 2015 17,499 16,491
- - - - - - - -
Average for field Check Fert.
- -
229 297 664 755 1053 778 1253 939 1122 870 1397 1122 1099 1122
6817 5883
- - - -
the more mature stage of growth of the fert iIi zed wheat. Water used by the crop fa II s off very rapidly as the grain reaches maturity. The marked difference in daily consump- tion of water between grain grown on the poorly drained Gleysolic profile and the three well-drained profiles can also be attributed to the more advanced stage of maturity of the grain grown on the well drained positions. The data obtained from the Popoff plot sites were in general similar to that noted above for the Goodale sites (Table 16) but the effect of fertilizer was much more pronounced as the consumptive use of water by the fertilized crop on a per day basis was approximately half that recorded for the checks.. Phosphate ferti I ization stimulates very rapid growth of the grain during the spring and early summer 1 with the result that in this instance the fertilized crop was in the soft dough stage when the July 17th moisture readings were to.ken. In contrast, the unfertilized grain was in the flowering stage. It appears obvious that the stimulation given to rate of growth by ferti I ization is undoubtedly one of the reaons for the greater moisture efficiency of the fertilized grain. The fert!!ized crop makes relatively more of its growth during the cooler portion of the growing season. The check grain at this location was still growing very rapidly during the very hot H dry July period.
Summary of Sub-Group Profile Investigations for the years 1955 - 1960
During the past five years tracer fertilizer plots have been laid down on 43 member profile sites (fallow fields). A portion of the data obtained from these ex- periments is summarized in Table 17. Average values for specific groups of sub~group
profiles are given in Table 18. A comparison of the reliability of four indices used to measure available soil phosphorus, the field A value, the growth chamber A value, and the two quick tests, sodium bicarbonate and carbonated water is given in Table 19. The following observations con tentatively be drawn from these data.
1. Since the majority of the data has been obtained from two profile types, the Calcareous and Orthic Chernozems~' the averages listed for these profiles are, perhaps, the most reliable. The overage check yields obtained on these two profiles were practically identical. This is rather unexpected, since farmer experience would suggest that the Orthic profile is the more productive soil. Fertilized yields ore somewhat· higher on the Orthic, due to a much more pro- nounced yield increase from phosphate ferti I ization.
2. A comparison of check yields for all profile types would indicate that the El u- vioted Chernozem is the least productive, followed in order of increasing pro- ductivity by the Dark Grey Wooded, the Orthic, the Colcareous1 the Solonetzic and the Humic El wioted Gleysol. A somewhat different sequence of increasing productivity was obtained for the fertilized yields. The Eluvioted Chernozemic profile is still the least productive, followed by the Calcareous, the Orthic, the Dark Grey Wooded, the Solonetzic, with the Humic Eluviated Gleysol again the most productive.
3. The phosphorus fertility status of the various soils can be inferred from the magnitude of the yield response to phosphate fertilization. The highest absolute response was obtained on the Grey Wooded site1 the feat on the Calcareous Chernozem8 with the Orthic1 Eluviated1 Gleysolic, and Solonetzic sites6 falling between these two ex1·remes .
4. Fertilizers.¥ such as 23-23-0 or 27-14-00 when applied to crops on fallow land, did not 1 in general 8 increase yields over and above that where equivalent amounts of phosphate were added in the form of 11-48-0. (These data have not been included in the tabulated data.)
5. Comparison betvveen the four indices of phosphorus fertility levels- the field and growth chamber A value, the sodium bicarbonate, and the carbonated water extractable phosphate are afforded from the Correlation Coefficients given in Table "19. It is apparent that the only reliable test is the Field A value.
:;reat Soil Soil
Group Assoc.
Orthic Dark Weyburn l.
Brown
I II II
. .
.
II III •
II II
I, Orthic Black Oxbow L.
'· II II
II Hoey SiCI
I II II
I,
Orthic Dk. Elstow l.
Brown
I. II II
.
Calcareous Weyburn l.Dk. Brown
I II II
I. II II
~
.
II IISUMMARY OF DATA OBTAINED ON 43 MEMBER PROFILES FOR THE YEARS 1955- 1960 INCLUSIVE
Check Yield* Available soi-Pt-tosphorus,lb. P/ac.
Year Yield Inc. % Field A Gro. Cham. H203 NaHC03
bu./ac. bu./ac. Yield Value A Value Ext.-P Ext. -P
1955 21 7 75 28 14
1955 37 6 86 32 13
1955 29 9 76 31 29
1959 27 6 82 25 35 20 18
1958 31 15 70 24 48 58 35
1960 50 6 89 86 68 46 34
1956 20 20 50 19 55 24 22
1956 21 21 50 13 28 23 20
1960 20 10 67 50 103 66 60
1960 27 12 69 39 76 44 44
1955 30 6 83 71 22
1955 40 10 80 47 15
1955 28 8 78 39 21
1959 28 8 79 39 29 22 14
w
0
Great Soil Soil Check Yield* Available soi!~Phosphorusu lb. P/ac.
Group Assoc. Year Yield Inc. % Field A Gro. Cham. H2C03 NaHC03
bu./ac. bu./ac. Yield Value A Value Ext.-P Ext.- P
15. Calcareous Oxbow L. 1958 16 7 70 25 28 46 16
Black
16. II II 1960 30 8 58 72 46 38 20
17. Calcareous Elstow L.
1960 25 2 93 101 78 52 44
Dk. Brown
18. II II 1960 31 4 67 57 50 62 26
19. Calcareous Sceptre C.
1956 30 22 79 28 16 20 11
Brown
20. II II 1957 31 15 89 35 36 19 8
21. Eluviated Weyburn L.
1955 25 12 65 21 41 16 14
Dk. Brown
22. II II 1959 24 10 71 27 25 16 15
23. II Elstow L. 1960 13 9 59 42 66 40 48
24. II II 1960 25 13 66 39 63 44 44
25. Humic Eluv. Sceptre C.
1957 56 8 88 108 74 68 55
Gleysol
26. II Weyburn L. 1959 39 9 82 69 55 30 70
27. II Aberdeen C. 1959 33 20 62
29
54 22 4128. II Elstow C. L. 1960 30 11 73 48 45 26 30
29 .
Low Humic El. Oxb L1958 10 15 55 14 28 24 17
Gleysol ow ·
30. II II 1960 25 10 71 82 44 50
Solonetzic w
31. Flaxcombe C. L. 1956 46 19 71 37 49 47 41
Brown
32. II II 1957 28 5 85 37 55 28 32
Great Soil Soil Check Yield"'
Group Assoc. Year Yield Inc. %
bu./ac. bu./ ac. Y!eld
33. Solonetzic
Kiodersley C. 1956 52 5 91
Brown
34. II II 1957 34 7 83
35. II II C.L 1956 45 12 79
36 .
SolonetzicAberdeen C. 1959 29 8 78
Dk. Brown 37. Solodized-
Solonetzic Aberdeen C. 1959 19 7 73
Dk. Brown 38. Dark Grey
Kamsack C. L. 1956 30 30 65
Wooded
39. II II 1956 26 10 72
40. II II 1956 21 23 48
41. II II 1956 21 21 50
42. II Oxbow L. 1958 18 15 55
43. II II 1960 39 11 78
*
Average yield increase from a 20 and 40 lb. P 205 application of 11-48-0.
Available Soil-Phosphorus, lb. P/ac.
Field A Gro. Cham. H2C03 NaHC03 Value A Value Ext.-P Ext.-P
31 46 39 37
39 23 27 14
46 75 62 59
36 33 20 21
38 39 39 53
29 23 36 20
29 20 29 16
18 21 46 23
19 21 43 22
14 28 24 17
57 43 28 20
w
N
TABLE 18
SUMMARY OF MEMBER PLOT STUDIES
ARRANGED ACCORDING TO SUB-GROUP PROFILES
---
Check Yield Field Growth
Yield Inc. A Cha.A Extractable- P bu./ac. bu ./ac. Values Values H
2
co
3 NaHC03
Orthic
Chernozems 28.3 11.2 34.7 59.0 33.7 33.3
*Calcareous
Chernozems 28.5 6.6 56.4 46.2 34.8 24.0
Eluviated
Chernozems 21.8 11.0 32.3 48.8 29.0 30.3
Humic Eluv.
Gleysol 39.5 12.0 63.5 57.0 36.5 49.0
Solonetzic 36.1 9.0 37.7 45.7 37.4 36.7
Dark Grey
Wooded 25.8 16.0 27.7 26.0 34.3 19.7
The Sceptre profile data has not been included.
TABLE 19
CORRELATION COEFFICIENTS INDICATING THE
DEPENDENCE OF PERCENTAGE YIELD ON VARIOUS SOIL TESTS
Growth H2C03 Chamber Extractable
Field 1 A' values Growth Chamber
'A' Values
Ne1HC0
3 - P
A Values p
.5715** .4128**
.6555**'
1. Yield of check/ yield of fertilized x 100.
'" -· significant at the .05 probability level.
H: - significant at the .01 probability level.
NaHC03 p ercent 1.
Extract. Yield
-P
(field).4881 .7319**
.9227** .3277*
.6053** .1240
.2477**
While the sodium bicarbonate extraction would appear to be of more significance than the carbonated water values, the results of both tests bear little relationship to yield response due to phosphate fertilization. The Growth Chamber A values were a somewhat better index of the phosphorus fert iIi ty status, but in actuality, were very much inferior to the Field A values. It can be concluded that the
Growth Chamber A values, the sodium bicarbonate extractable phosphate or the carbonated water extractable phosphate, are of little significance in predicting the expected response to phosphate ferti I ization.
6. The sodium bicarbonate and carbonated water extraction values were practically identical on the Orthic; Eluviated and Solonetzic Soil Samples. The sodium bicarbonate extractable phosphorus w.as much less on the Calcareous and Dark
Grey Wooded samples, and more on the Eluviated Gleysol samples, than the Carbonated Water.
These two standard quick tests have been shown to extract different forms of phosphorus from the soil. The soidum bicarbonate, for example, removes appreciable quantities of the aluminum phosphates and only small amounts of calcium phosphates from the soH. The carbonated water, solubilizes relatively
large amounts of calcium phosphates and appreciably less of the aluminum phosphates.
FIELD STRIP SOIL TEST RESULTS
During the past year 1 617 samples from the field strip tests were analyzed for the Carbonated Water Extractable Phosphate, some 66 composite samples taken from the field strip tests were; in addition, extracted using the sodium bicarbonate solution.
Exchangeable cations including sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were determined on 180 samples taken from the field strip tests in which the ferti I izer 5-24-30 had been used as one of the treatments. Again, it appears that neither the carbonated water nor the sodium bicarbonate tests are satisfactory quick tests to use for estimating the need for phosphorus fertilization under the soil and climatic conditions prevailing in the vicinity of the tests. A more detailed summary of the extensive soi I tests dat·a that has been collected during the past four years wi II be available in the near future.
The exchangeable base data afforded a measure of the relative amount of avail- able potash to other cations in the surface soi I. Since no responses were obtained to
potash fertilization at any of the locations, these data merely show that the available potash content of all soils under test last year, is quite high. A more detailed report on the potash investigations is currently being compiled.
THE PROTEIN CONTENT OF GRAIN FROM THE FIELD STRIP FERTILIZER TESTS
The protein content of 278 grain samples taken from 8 field strip fertilizer tests laid down on fallow land was determined during the past year. While small increases or decreases in percentage protein between check and fertilized treatments were recorded for individual tests, the average data obtained from the 8 tests indicates that neither 11-48-0 nor 23-23-0 significantly changed the protein content of the grain.
The mean protein content of the check grain averaged 16.0%- that of the 23-23-0
16.~.k. These data confirm similar experimental data obtained on the 1957-58-59 field test plots. The average protein content of the check grain (16.0%) is only slightly less than the average protein content of the grain sampled in 1959 (16 .5%) and in 1958 (16.5%) and a gain is down from the average protein content of the grain for the 1957 field test crop, (15 .8%).
All projects included in this report were wholly or in part by funds donated by the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada, ltd. This financial assistance is gratefully acknowledged.
In a number of instances these studies were jointly supported by funds supplied by the N. R. C. and the American Potash Institute.
The farmer co-operators, Messrs W. Popoff, John Goodale, and J. Seitz, donated the land on which the plots were located, prepared the plot areas for seeding, and judiciously read the rain guages throughout the summer. Without this assistance these projects could not have been conducted.
Mr. G. Racz, graduate student 1 assisted with most of the investigations reported. All protein analyses were conducted by the Department of Chemistry,
University of Saskatchewan.
