Agronomic Potential of Using Precipitated Calcium Carbonate on Early Plant Growth and Soil Quality in the Intermountain West - Greenhouse Studies

Abstract

Storage and management of large piles of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) from sugarbeet processing are a challenge in the western US. Potential uses of this product on surrounding agricultural lands in western NE, eastern WY and northeast CO requires an evaluation of chemical and agronomic impacts of PCC on soils and crop growth. A preliminary greenhouse study was conducted in Scottsbluff, NE using 10 soils from the 3 states. Soils were mixed with 11, 22, 33 and 44 Mg ha -1 rates of PCC to test the early plant growth of sugarbeet, corn, and dry bean in addition to determining soil chemical characteristics. Chemical analysis of PCC from the three processing factories indicates that PCC provides some nitrogen and phosphorus, in addition to some iron, depending on rate. Application of four rates of PCC to neutral to slightly alkali soils neither improved nor negatively impacted the soil chemical characteristics. Dry matter of the three crops after 7 weeks showed no significant effects of PCC. Future utilization of PCC in this region will require further research based on longterm investigations of possible effects of PCC on soil chemical characteristics and plant growth under field conditions.