Lime Application Rates on Selected Soil Chemical Properties of Acidic Soils

Abstract

Liming has been recently started to amend acidic soils in the study area but meager information is available about effects of Dejen lime on soil properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the application dose effect of locally available liming material on selected chemical properties of Dystric Nitisol. Soil samples received 0, 1.1, 2.2, 3.3 and 4.4 t ha^-1 Dejen lime and incubated for one month at constant moisture and temperature. Finally, its pH, exchangeable acidity, Al, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mehlich 3 and water soluble P were estimated. Lime rates significantly (p < 0.01) increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca, Mehlich 3 and water soluble P but exchangeable acidity and Al significantly (p < 0.01) decreased. Application of 2.2 t ha^-1 Dejen liming material increased soil pH and available P by 0.6 units and 9.2 mg kg^-1, respectively but exchangeable acidity decreased by 0.72 cmol ₍₊₎ kg^-1. Thus, application of > 2.2 t ha^-1 lime alleviate acidity related problem of the soil for crop growth but supplementary nutrient (mainly P) is required for optimum crop yield. Application of 2.2 t ha^-1 Dejen liming material substantially improves soil acidity related problems but supplementary soil nutrient is essential to increase crop yield in the study area.

Keywords: Dejen, exchangeable acidity, lime incubation, Nitisol

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-1-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2021