Winter wheat forage yield and quality as affected by lime rates

Majority of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planted in the southern Great Plains is intended for forage or dual-purposes (forage and grain). As many as 39% of the Oklahoma wheat fields have a soil pH less than 5.5, which need liming to sustain normal crop yields. The impact of soil acidity on wheat forage for grazing has been noticed by producers and researchers, but has not been well documented. This study investigated the effects of seven lime rates on fall forage yields and quality of a winter wheat. Soil pH was increased as lime rates increased. Forage yields nearly doubled in the first year when about one ton of lime was applied. Half of the recommended lime rate to raise soil pH to 6.8 was found to be the most economical remediation. The value of increased forage production in the first year pays off the liming cost at this lime rate. The cost of liming at other tested rates can also be paid off if increased forage yields occurred for two or more years. Therefore, it is economical to lime acid fields used for forage dual-purposes wheat production.