Effect of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate on Soil Quality, Plant and Weed Growth in the Greenhouse.

Gary W. Hergert, Murali K. Darapuneni, Robert Wilson, Robert Harveson, Jeff Bradshaw and Rex Nielsen

In sugar beet growing areas, large amount of precipitated calcium carbonate PCC are produced each year. PCC has shown to have beneficial effects in other areas, but not the High Plains.  The objective of this research project was to investigate the effect of PCC on soil chemical and physical properties and the impact on crop yield.  A greenhouse study was conducted by mixing PCC with soil collected from ten soil types from NE, WY, and CO. Four PCC rates of 0, 11.2, 22.4, 33.6, 44.8 Mg ha^-1 were used. There was no significant difference in plant dry weight for sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) 7 weeks after planting in the greenhouse. There was no significant difference in soil pH, CEC or salinity before planting and after harvesting. PCC piles support a dense growth of Kochia (Kochia scoparia L. Roth) in wetter years. Seeds were collected from PCC piles at factory sites in CO, NE and WY and were tested for sensitivity to glyphosate, atrazine and Clarity in growth chamber studies. Kochia showed no herbicide resistance when treated with the three herbicides. Results from a second experiment showed that kochia plants were not controlled by UpBeet and were suspected to be sulfonylurea resistant. Laboratory studies also showed that application of PCC significantly decreased root aphid population which increased root area.