Dickinson REC Update for January 31, 2023

January 31, 2023

Dickinson Research Extension Center Updates

Acid soil HRSW variety trial results

Ryan Buetow

Extension Cropping Systems Specialist

Dickinson Research Extension Center

North Dakota State University

1041 State Avenue

701 456-1106

ryan.buetow@ndsu.edu

Soil acidity research at the Dickinson REC has included adaptive approaches to dealing with the issues of aluminum toxicity along with our remedial liming work. This adaptive work has included variety selection for HRSW (table 1). Due to the nature of these soils, we have difficulty finding good data due to ability to find a consistent location. Potential for variance from weed pressure is raised due to the acidic soils interaction with herbicides. Other variables such as hail, drought, and others can all impose outside variability making the data unusable. This year, one of our sites south of Lefor passed the test of reduced variability from outside factors and we picked up significant differences with a low coefficient of variation.

It is important to note that this is not a comprehensive listing of all tolerant varieties. The mechanism for resistance to issues such as aluminum toxicity and other problems associated with acidic soils is not well understood. Lanning is considered our tolerant check due to its inclusion of a gene that is associated with tolerance of aluminum toxicity. However, this isn’t the only pathway to tolerance of acidic soils. SY Soren is considered our susceptible check due to historical data showing it yields very well in our region except when grown on acidic soils. In a separate trial that included fertilizer treatments in-furrow we also found a significant impact with variety (table 2).

Variety selection is our most economical, short-term fix for the issue of soil acidity. It is important to realize that while we can get by with tolerant HRSW varieties, our soil still is not functioning properly and our nutrient cycling and herbicide breakdown is potentially being heavily impacted causing a reduction in how well our input dollars are being spent. Until lime is applied to an acidic soil we are working on borrowed time, there is evidence in other states showing that eventually the soil becomes too acidic to overcome yield loss through tolerant varieties. This research has been conducted to help you find a short-term solution while you work through how to find and fix the problem areas through liming.

If you have any questions about soil acidity feel free to reach out to

Ryan Buetow: ryan.buetow@ndsu.edu

NDSU Extension Cropping Systems Specialist / Dickinson Research Extension Center

Chris Augustin: chris.augustin@ndsu.edu

Director/Soil Scientist / Dickinson Research Extension Center

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