Evaluating the Effects of Soil Ph on Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Production

Abstract

The transition from conventional tillage to no-tillage production systems has led to the incorporation of grain sorghum and sunflower as rotation crops; however, these crops may not perform well when grown on acidic soils. This study was conducted to determine the quantitative effect of soil pH on grain sorghum and sunflower production. The relationship of relative yield and soil pH were investigated at Lahoma, Perkins, and Haskell, OK with soil pH treatments ranging from 4.0 - 7.0. Soil pH was altered using aluminum sulfate or hydrated lime. Soil acidity negatively affected grain sorghum and sunflower yield. At soil pH 5.42 and 5.27, yield reductions of 10% were observed in grain sorghum and sunflower, respectively. Yield reductions of 20% or more were observed at soil pH 5.14 and 5.08 in grain sorghum and sunflower, respectively. Liming should be considered to increase soil pH if it is below these critical levels where grain sorghum or sunflower will be produced.