AGRONOMIC POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS OF USING PRECIPITATED CALCIUM CARBONATE IN THE HIGH PLAINS

Murali K Darapuneni*(mdarapuneni2@unl.edu) and Gary W Hergert (ghergert1@unl.edu)

University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center,

4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC) is a by-product of the sugar purification process.

The research in Red River Valley reported several beneficial effects of PCC on soil chemistry, plant health, and yields of major crops. However, the agronomic advantages and limitations of PCC in the High Plains region have not been tested. The disparity in the soil chemical characteristics is the major difference between the soils of Red River Valley and High Plains. The average effective calcium carbonate (ECC) of PCC in three Western Sugar locations (NE, WY, and CO) is about 27% and it also contains some N and P. The main objective of this research was to investigate the effect of PCC on soil chemical and physical properties and the impact of PCC on crop yield. Ten locations were chosen from grower fields in CO, NE and WY during 2012 and 2013. In each site-year, at least six locations of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L), two locations of corn (Zea mays L.), and one location of dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were planted during the spring. The experimental design was a Latin Square, with four replications and four PCC rates: 0, 4, 8, and 12 tons per acre. The PCC was applied in early spring and incorporated into soil. The fields were monitored during the growing season for effects of PCC on plant growth, diseases severity and final yield. There were no negative effects of PCC on crop growth during the season in 2012. Three rates of PCC had no consistent significant effect (P>0.05) on yield or quality compared to check in sugar beet, corn or dry bean during 2012. The yield results for 2013 site-year is in progress. The short and long term effects of three PCC rates on soil physical and chemical characteristics will be presented.