The Influence of Base Saturation and Fertility Treatments on Yield and Cation Composition of Crops Grown on Two British Columbia Soils High in Organic Matter

Abstract

The influence of base saturation and fertility treatments on yield and cation composition of oats grown on two British Columbia soils high in organic matter was studied in the greenhouse. Increased base saturation significantly increased: the yield of oat forage on the Alouette soil (an organic soil), calcium uptake on both soils, magnesium content of oats grown on the Pitt soil, and tissue potassium with the Alouette soil.The yield decreased significantly when nitrogen was added to the Alouette soil. Nitrogen significantly increased tissue calcium on the Pitt soil. The magnesium and potassium content of oats was not influenced by nitrogen.With the Pitt soil there was a consistent (but not significant) trend showing that phosphorus increased yields. For the Alouette soil the interaction between phosphorus and base saturation significantly increased calcium absorption. Phosphorus tended to increase calcium uptake from both soils. Tissue magnesium increased significantly when phosphorus was added to the Pitt soil.There was a tendency (not significant) with both soils for yield to decrease as potassium was applied. When potassium was added to the Pitt soil there was a marked tendency for tissue magnesium to increase. A reverse trend occurred with the Alouette soil. Potassium fertilization of both soils significantly increased potassium absorption.