Rothamsted Long-term Liming Experiment
- Experiment Code: R/CS/10
- Experiment Site: Rothamsted
- Objectives: To study the effects of different amounts of lime (and thus soil pH), P and K on the yields of a sequence of arable crops.
- Date Start: 1962
- Date End: Ongoing
- Key Contacts: Sarah Perryman, (Data Manager), Margaret Glendining, (Data Manager), 0000-0002-6466-4629 , Andrew Gregory, (Principal Investigator), 0000-0001-7123-0784 , Stephan Haefele, (Principal Investigator), 0000-0003-0389-8373 ,
Description
- Yields of various crops were recorded from 1962-1996 and papers published (Bolton, 1971, 1977 a,b; McEwen et al, 1990; Holland et al, 2019). Soil samples have been used for experiments determining the effects of pH on the bioavailability of heavy metals (Sanders et al, 1986). Lime was applied in one year (1962) and then in small doses between 1982-1987. The plots were also used as part of a dataset to produce the Rothamsted Lime Model (RothLime; Goulding et al, 1989) which was used from 1982 onwards to apply small amounts of lime to keep the plots at the target pHs (1:2.5 soil:water) of 4.5, 5.5, 6.5 and 7.5. The experiment was under grass from 1997-2019 and no treatments were applied. In April 2019 the experiment was revived, and is currently being used to investigate the effect of different lime, P and Zn treatments on macro and micro nutrient uptake of wheat varieties. For more details contact Dr SM Haefele.
Funding
- The e-RA database, including the published datasets generated from it, is part of the Rothamsted Long-Term Experiments - National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (RLTE-NBRI) , which also includes the Long-Term Experiments, the 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 supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (Grants BBS/E/C/00005189 (2012-2017); BBS/E/C/000J0300 (2017-2022); BBS/E/RH/23NB0007 (2023-2028)).
Keywords
- arable farming, arable soils, barley, crop yield, experimental design, fertilizer, liming, long term experiments, mineral content, oats, phosphorous, rothamsted research, soil fertility, soil ph, trace elements, wheat
Datasets available
| Title (hover for a longer description) | Year of Publication | Identifier | Version |
|---|---|---|---|
Crop nutrient data | |||
| Rothamsted long-term liming experiment grain mineral composition | 2021 | https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-rltlgrain-01 |
01 |
Crop yield data - Annual | |||
| Rothamsted long-term liming experiment crop yield 1962-1996 | 2020 | https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-rltlyields-01 |
01 |
Soil data | |||
| Rothamsted long-term liming experiment soil chemical properties 1962-1996 | 2023 | https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-soil-01 |
01 |
| Rothamsted long-term liming experiment exchangeable cations re-analysed | 2023 | https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-rltlcation-01 |
01 |
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- Additional data is available through e-RAdata. Please register for access
Key Information
Plans and treatments
Experimental plans, lime and fertilizer treatments details 1962-1996
Site: Sawyers Field I - Rothamsted
- Experiment Site: Rothamsted
- Description: The site is an old arable site, which had not grown beans for many years. The soil was acidic and deficient in P and K. The intial pH ranged between 4.8 and 5.6. The experiment was started in 1962.
- Management: From 1962-1996 the site was managed according to conventional practices. In most years N fertilizer was applied at a rate appropriate for the crop and site, and a range of conventional pesticides were used to control weeds, pests and diseases. The experiment was under grass from 1997-2019 and no treatments were applied. In April 2019 the experiment was revived, and is currently being used to investigate the effect of different lime, P and Zn treatments on macro and micro nutrient uptake of wheat varieties. For more details contact Dr SM Haefele.
- Visit Permitted?: Yes
- Visiting Arrangments: By arrangement with Dr Andrew Gregory
- Elevation: 130 Metres
- Geolocation: 51.8157, -0.3752
Soil
- Type: Luvisol
Chromic Luvisols and Orthic Acrisols Podzoluvisols (FAO). Paleo-argillic brown earth (Soil Survey England & Wales) Paleudalfs, Hapludalfs (Fragiudalfs) (US Soil Taxonomy). Derived from drift and loess over clay-with-flints. Batcombe series, Flinty silty clay loam (Bolton 1977).
- Soil Properties
| Variable | Value | Reference Year | Is Estimated | Is Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coarse sand content | 14% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Find sand content | 40% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Silt content | 23% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Clay content | 21% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Soil total carbon | 1.4% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Total soil nitrogen | 0.15% (Percent) | 1974 | NO | NO |
| Soil density | 2800t/ha (tonnes per hectare) | 1905 | NO | NO |
| Soil pH | 5.1 (pH) | 1962 | NO | YES |
Experiment Design
Use the arrows to navigate between periods
- 1 - Period 1 - 1962 - 1980 - 
Description
- The original design was four lime treatments with and without P and K (4 x 2 x 2 factorial with two replicates) within randomised blocks and with plot sizes of 6 m x 18 m. Until 1978 test P and K were both applied cumulatively. In 1962 columns of 4 plots were split for uninoculated v inoculated seed. 1969, 1979 and 1980 were fallow years. In 1974 plots were subdivided for a comparison of with and without Magnesium, applied at 112 kgMg/ha/yr in 1974, 1976-1978.
Design
- Period: 1962 - 1980
- Experiment Design Type: Randomised block
- Number of Blocks: 2
- Number of Plots: 32
- Number of Replicates: 2
- Number of Sub-plots: 2
- Number of Harvests per Year: 1
Crops
| Crop | Years Grown |
|---|---|
| Spring Beans | 1962 - 1964 |
| Spring Barley | 1965 - 1967 |
| Potatoes | 1968 - |
| Fallow | 1969 - |
| Spring Oats | 1975 - |
| Spring Rapeseed | 1976 - |
Factors
Factors are the interventions or treatments which vary across the experiment.
| Level Name | Factor Name | Amount | Years | Frequency | Method | Chemical Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control Exposure | Liming Exposure | 0 t/ha | 1962 - 1980 | ||||
| Lime Low | Liming Exposure | 7 t/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Twice | 5 t/ha in 1962, 2 t/ha in 1978 | ||
| Lime Medium | Liming Exposure | 15 t/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Twice | 10 t/ha in 1962, 5 t/ha in 1978 | ||
| Lime High | Liming Exposure | 30 t/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Twice | 15 t/ha in 1962, 5 t/ha in 1963, 10 t/ha in 1978 | ||
| Control Exposure | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | 0 kgP/ha | 1962 - 1980 | ||||
| P Fertilizer Exposure | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | 27.5 kgP/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Annually in Spring | Triple Superphosphate | 55 kgP/ha applied to potatoes. Not applied in fallow years 1969, 1979, 1980. | |
| Control Exposure | Potassium Fertilizer Exposure | 104 kgK/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Annually in Spring | Muriate of Potash | In 1968 and 1974, 156 kgK/ha was applied to potatoes. Not applied in fallow years 1969, 1979 or 1980. | |
| Potassium K | Potassium Fertilizer Exposure | 104 kgK/ha | 1962 - 1980 | Annually in Spring | Muriate of Potash | In 1968 and 1974, 156 kgK/ha was applied to potatoes. Not applied in fallow years 1969, 1979 or 1980. | |
| Control Exposure | Rhizobium Leguminosarum Exposure | 0 | 1962 - 1962 | ||||
| Inoculated | Rhizobium Leguminosarum Exposure | 1962 - 1962 | Seed Dressing | ||||
| Control Exposure | Magnesium Nutrient Exposure | 0 kgMg/ha | 1974 - 1978 | ||||
| Magnesium Mg | Magnesium Nutrient Exposure | 112 kgMg/ha | 1974 - 1978 | Annually in Spring | Magnesium Sulfate | Not applied in 1975. Applied as Epsom salts 1974-1977 and as Kieserite in 1978. |
Measurements
| Variable | Unit | Collection Frequency |
Material | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Components | t/ha | Annually | AllCrops | Crop grain yields at 85% dry matter for cereals, 90% dry matter for oilseeds and fresh weight for potatoes. No straw data. |
| Soil pH | Every Few Years | pH in water 1:2.5 soil: water suspension from topsoil (0-23cm). Sampled in autumn/winter after harvest and before sowing the next crop. | ||
| Plant Available Phosphorous | ppm | Every Few Years | Soil | Olsen P (plant-available P) in soil, ppm in soil. |
- 
- 2 - Period 2 - 1981 - 1996
Description
- The experiment was modified in 1981. The 4 lime treatments continued, the PK treatments were replaced with 4 P levels with two replicates (4 x 4 x 2). The main plots were split into sub-plots 1987-1990 to test foliar Manganese, and in 1991-1996 to test Sulphur
Design
- Period: 1981 - 1996
- Number of Plots: 32
- Number of Replicates: 2
- Number of Sub-plots:
- Number of Harvests per Year: 1
Crops
| Crop | Years Grown |
|---|---|
| Oats | 1981 - 1982 |
| Potatoes | 1983 - |
| Fallow | 1984 - |
| Barley | 1985 - |
| Triticales | 1986 - |
| Lupins | 1987 - |
| Beans | 1989 - 1990 |
| Rapeseed | 1991 - 1992 |
| Lupins | 1993 - 1994 |
| Wheat | 1995 - 1996 |
Factors
Factors are the interventions or treatments which vary across the experiment.
| Level Name | Factor Name | Amount | Years | Frequency | Method | Chemical Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control Exposure | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | 0 kgP/ha | 1981 - 1996 | Control treatment 1962-1980, no fertilizer P applied. | |||
| P1 | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | kgP/ha | 1981 - 1996 | Triple Superphosphate | 25 kgP/ha applied in 1981, 1982 and 1988. Received K treatment 1962-1980, no fertilizer P applied. | ||
| P2 | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | kgP/ha | 1981 - 1996 | Triple Superphosphate | 25, 50 & 25 kgP/ha applied in 1981, 1983 and 1988 respectively. Received P treatment 1962-1980, a total of 495kgP/ha. | ||
| P3 | Phosphate Fertilizer Exposure | kgP/ha | 1981 - 1996 | Triple Superphosphate | 75, 25, 50 & 75 kgP/ha applied in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1988 respectively. Received PK treatment 1962-1980, a total of 495kgP/ha. | ||
| Control Exposure | Liming Exposure | 0 t/ha | 1980 - 1996 | ||||
| Lime Low | Liming Exposure | 8.0 t/ha | 1982 - 1987 | 3 Times | Ground Chalk | 2, 5 and 1 t/ha chalk applied 1982, 1983 and 1987 respectively. Total application 1962-1987 = 15 t/ha. | |
| Lime Medium | Liming Exposure | 9.5 t/ha | 1982 - 1987 | 3 Times | Ground Chalk | 5, 3 and 1.5 t/ha chalk applied 1982, 1983 and 1987 respectively. Total application 1962-1987 = 24.5 t/ha. | |
| Lime High | Liming Exposure | 22.5 t/ha | 1982 - 1987 | 3 Times | Ground Chalk | 10, 10 and 2.5 t/ha chalk applied 1982, 1983 and 1987 respectively. Total application 1962-1987 = 52.5 t/ha. | |
| Control Exposure | Manganese Nutrient Exposure | 0 kg/ha | 1987 - 1990 | ||||
| Manganese | Manganese Nutrient Exposure | 0.3 kg/ha | 1987 - 1990 | Annually | Manganese Sprays | Foliar spray applied twice a year | |
| Control Exposure | Sulfate Fertiliser Exposure | 0 kgS/ha | 1991 - 1996 | ||||
| Sulphur | Sulfate Fertiliser Exposure | 30 kgS/ha | 1991 - 1996 | Annual | Calcium Sulfate |
Measurements
| Variable | Unit | Collection Frequency |
Material | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Components | t/ha | Annually | AllCrops | Crop grain yields at 85% dry matter for cereals, 90% dry matter for oilseeds and fresh weight for potatoes. No straw data. |
| Soil pH | Every Few Years | Soil | pH in water 1:2.5 soil: water suspension from topsoil (0-23cm). Sampled in autumn/winter after harvest and before sowing the next crop. | |
| Plant Available Phosphorous | ppm | Every Few Years | Soil | Olsen P (plant-available P) in soil, ppm in soil. |
License
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available under a Creative Commons
Attribution Licence (4.0) with attribution to Rothamsted Research.
Images
Key References
2024
- - Holland, J. E., White, R., Haefele, S. M., Goulding, K. W. T., McGrath, S. P. and Glendining, M. J. (2024) "Long-term effects of lime and phosphorus application on soil extractable (Olsen) phosphorus differ between two arable UK soils", Soil Use and Management, 40, e13160 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.13160
2021
- - Clarke, A. (2021) "Why regular liming can raise profits by up to £436/ha/yr", 05 February 2021 https://www.fwi.co.uk/arable/land-preparation/soils/why-regular-liming-can-raise-profits-by-up-to-436-ha-year
- - Jordan-Meille, L., Holland, J. E., McGrath, S. P., Glendining, M. J., Thomas, C. L. and Haefele, S. M. (2021) "The grain mineral composition of barley, oat and wheat on soils with pH and soil phosphorus gradients", European Journal of Agronomy, 126, 126281 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2021.126281
- - Jordan-Meille, L., Holland, J. E., McGrath, S. P., Glendining, M. J., Thomas, C. L. and Haefele, S. M. (2021) "Rothamsted long-term liming experiment grain mineral composition data. ", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-rltlgrain-01
- - Jordan-Meille, L., Holland, J. E., McGrath, S. P., Glendining, M. J., Thomas, C. L. and Haefele, S. M. (2021) "Woburn long-term liming experiment grain mineral composition data", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/wcs10-wltlgrain-01
2020
- - Glendining, M. J. (2020) "Woburn long-term liming experiment plans 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/wcs10-Plans
- - Glendining, M. J. (2020) "Rothamsted long-term liming experiment plans 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-Plans
- - Glendining, M. J. (2020) "Rothamsted long-term liming experiment lime and fertilizer treatments 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-Treatments-01
- - Glendining, M. J. (2020) "Woburn long-term liming experiment lime and fertilizer treatments 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/wcs10-Treatments-01
- - Holland, J. E. and Behrendt, K. (2020) "The economics of liming in arable crop rotations: analysis of the 35-year Rothamsted and Woburn liming experiments", Soil Use and Management, 1–11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12682
- - Glendining, M. J., Holland, J. E., McGrath, S. P. and Goulding, K. W. T. (2020) "Rothamsted long-term liming experiment crop yields 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/rcs10-rltlyields-01
- - Glendining, M. J., Holland, J. E., McGrath, S. P. and Goulding, K. W. T. (2020) "Woburn long-term liming experiment crop yields 1962-1996", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/wcs10-wltlyields-01
2019
- - Holland, J. E., White, P. J., Glendining, M. J., Goulding, K. W. T. and McGrath, S. P. (2019) "Yield responses of arable crops to liming - An evaluation of relationships between yields and soil pH from a long-term liming experiment", European Journal of Agronomy, 105, 176–188 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2019.02.016
2017
- - Watts, C. W., Glendining, M. J. and Castells-Brooke, N. I. D. (2017) "Woburn Experimental Farm Soil and Field Maps", Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/ws-soil-maps-01
2016
- - Goulding, K. W. T. (2016) "Soil acidification and the importance of liming agricultural soils with particular reference to the United Kingdom", Soil Use and Management, 32, 390–399 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12270
2006
- - Kemmitt, S. J., Wright, D., Goulding, K. W. T. and Jones, D. L. (2006) "pH regulation of carbon and nitrogen dynamics in two agricultural soils", Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 38, 898–911 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2005.08.006
1993
- - Wang, G. M., Stribley, D. P., Tinker, P. B. and Walker, C. (1993) "EFFECTS OF PH ON ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZA .1. FIELD OBSERVATIONS ON THE LONG-TERM LIMING EXPERIMENTS AT ROTHAMSTED AND WOBURN", New Phytologist, 124, 465–472 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.1993.tb03837.x
1990
- - McEwen, J., Yeoman, D. P. and McGrath, S. P. (1990) "effects of pH, phosphate and manganese on spring-sown Vicia faba L.", FABIS Newsletter , , 18–20
1989
- - Goulding, K. W. T., McGrath, S. P. and Johnston, A. E. (1989) "Predicting the lime requirement of soils under permanent grassland and arable crops", Soil Use & Management, 5, 54–58 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-2743.1989.tb00760.x
1986
- - Sanders, J. R., McGrath, S. P. and Adams, T. M. (1986) "ZINC, COPPER AND NICKEL CONCENTRATIONS IN RYEGRASS GROWN ON SEWAGE SLUDGE-CONTAMINATED SOILS OF DIFFERENT PH", Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 37, 961–968 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740371003
1977
- - Bolton, J. (1977) "Changes in soil pH and exchangeable calcium in 2 liming experiments on contrasting soils over 12 years", The Journal of Agricultural Science, 89, 81–86 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600027210
- - Bolton, J. (1977) "Liming effects on response of potatoes and oats to phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilizers", The Journal of Agricultural Science, 89, 87–93 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600027222
1976
- - Bolton, J. (1976) "Liming and interaction of soil pH with responses to P, K and Mg fertilizers", Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 27, 593–593 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740270615
1971
- - Bolton, J. (1971) "Long-term liming experiments at Rothamsted and Woburn", Rothamsted Experimental Station Report for 1970 , Part 2 , 98–112 Get from eRAdoc: ResReport1970p2-98-112 DOI: https://doi.org/10.23637/ERADOC-1-34802
