Dataset: Exhaustion Land Experiment annual crop yields 1976-1985

Citation:  Glendining, M., Poulton, P., Gregory, A. (2025). Dataset: Exhaustion Land Experiment annual crop yields 1976-1985 Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI : https://doi.org/10.23637/rex4-YLD7685-01
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Experiment plan 1976, 1980, 1984 (N rates rotate each year)

Experiment plan 1976, 1980, 1984 (N rates rotate each year)

Summary

This dataset contains annual spring barley yield data for all plots of the Exhaustion Land Experiment, 1976-1985, grain and straw uptake of P and K, and agronomic details. The plots were divided into four sub-plots testing four rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. No other fertilizers or manures were applied. This phase of the experiment tests the residual effects of different fertilizers and manures applied 1856-1901, in the presence of different rates of fertilizer N.

Methods

The experiment was established in 1856 with four large plots, a fifth was added in 1876 and each was divided to create 10 plots (1-10) in 1876, each receiving a different fertilizer or manure treatment until 1901. No fertilizer or manure was applied 1902-1939. Basal N fertilizer was applied to all plots 1940-1974; no other fertilizer or manure was applied. No crop was grown in 1975.

Fertilizer N treatments: In 1976 the plots were divided into four sub-plots given four rates of N: N0=0, N1=48, N2=96 and N3=144 kg N ha-1 as calcium ammonium nitrate. These rates changed each year, in the order N0>N3>N2>N1, e.g. N0 1976, N3 1977, N2 1978, N1 1979, N0 1980. No fertilizer N was applied in 1975.

Technical Information

Grain and straw yields: Grain and straw subsamples were taken at harvest from each sub-plot, oven-dried and ground < 0.5 mm. Yields are reported at 85% dry matter. The straw yields do not include stubble.

Crop P and K content:

  • Total phosphorus (P) was determined after dry ashing (Piper, 1942), on a Spekker Technicon Auto Analyser, or using Alpkem Flow Injection Analysis, using the method of Fogg & Wilkinson (1958).
  • Total potassium (K) was determined after dry ashing (Piper, 1942), by emission spectrophotometry (Unicam SP90 A Series 2 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer).
  • P and K uptake in grain and straw is calculated from the yield at 100% dry matter and %P and %K in the grain and straw.
    References:
  • Fogg, D.N. and Wilkinson, N.T. (1958). The colorimetric determination of phosphorus. Analyst, London, 83:406-414.
  • Piper, C.S. (1942) Soil and plant analysis. The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.

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License

Creative Commons License This dataset is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (4.0).

Cite this Dataset

YOU MUST CITE AS: Glendining, M., Poulton, P., Gregory, A. (2025). Dataset: Exhaustion Land Experiment annual crop yields 1976-1985 Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK https://doi.org/10.23637/rex4-YLD7685-01

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Table Of Contents

Individual plot yields were taken from Rothamsted Research archives. Agronomic information (sowing dates, variety, etc) taken from Rothamsted Experimental Station Annual Reports. The P and K content is derived from analysis made by the Analytical Chemistry Unit, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden.

In accordance with the Joint Code of Practice for Research at Rothamsted, data processing in e-RA follow rigorous standard operating procedures to ensure the quality and correctness of data collected in the field through to depositing in the e-RA database. The Analytical Chemistry Unit follows the Joint Code of Practice (JCoPR) and participates in European Quality Assurance programmes. All performance is strictly monitored using certified external standards alongside in-house standard materials. Standards and check samples are monitored and recorded.

  • The dataset Exhaustion Land Experiment annual crop yields 1976-1985 is a published dataset from the e-RA Database. e-RA is part of the Rothamsted Long-Term Experiments - National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (RLTE-NBRI), which also covers maintenance of the Long-Term Experiments, the Rothamsted Sample Archive and Rothamsted's environmental monitoring activities including the weather stations and its role in the UK Environmental Change Network
  • The RLTE-NBRI is funded by UK Research and Innovation - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC) under award BBS/E/RH/23NB0007 (2023-2028). The RLTE-NBRI is also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust. e-RA has been part of a National Capability since 2012, previous awards from the BBSRC were Grants BBS/E/C/00005189 (2012-2017) and BBS/E/C/000J0300 (2017-2022)
  • Please read the conditions of use.

Additional Funding sources

This project received specific funding from the following sources

  • Rothamsted Research receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom. We acknowledge support from the Growing Health Institute Strategic Programme
    - BBS/E/RH/230003B (WP2), BBS/E/RH/230003C (WP3)
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