Response of Peanuts and Other Crops to Fertilizers and Lime in Two Long Term Experiments1

Abstract Two long term fertility experiments on a Dothan fine sandy loam (Plinthic Paleudult) included peanuts for short periods. Peanuts were in a rate of N-P-K experiment during 1973-75 and 1981-83. They did not respond to N. Mehlich-1 extractable soil test P dropped from 30 mg/kg in 1954 to 11 mg/kg by 1983. No yield response to P was found for any crop. The soil test K level of 44 mg/kg remained about the same over the 30 years. Cotton yield was doubled by the addition of 37 kg/ha of K, which also increased the soil test level to 56 mg/kg. Peanut and corn yields were increased by 19 kg/ha K, with no further response to higher rates. The addition of lime produced large yield increases from all three crops. A 2-year rotation experiment from 1929 through 1983 included cotton, corn, soybeans, and wheat at different periods until 1982 and 1983, when the crops were peanuts and grain sorghum. Soil test P in 1929 was 33 mg/kg. No response to P was found on summer crops in over 50 years, and soil test P decrea...