Opportunities to Alleviate Soil Acidity Impact Through Exploitation of Diverse Liming Materials Integrated with Different Phosphatic Fertilizer Sources in Ethiopia

Abstract

Several research activities were conducted to improve the productivity of degraded and less fertile soils of Ethiopian, among the most crop yield-limiting essential nutrients phosphorus is the major ones next to nitrogen moreover which is sourced from non-renewable natural resource and its limited reserve will vanish within few decades if the world fertilizer consumption will continue as it is.  Phosphorus deficiency and losses problem is more sensitive in acidic soils which are widely spread in southern, western, southwestern, northwestern, and most of central Ethiopia its level becomes even more worst. Consequently, seeking multiple ways of improving the nutrient use efficiency and minimizing losses to the environment should be considered. Several forms of phosphorus fertilizers were commonly used which includes organic and inorganic forms it has its own merits and demerits on the efficient uses of phosphorus for crop production. Optimizing soil pH is crucial for acidic soil by using lime (CaCO3) and other different liming materials like farmyard manure, vermicompost, and biochar as an alternative it’s also possible to improve soil pH by direct application of rock phosphate and partially acidulated fertilizer products on acidic soils which minimize the cost which was incurred for acidulation process on industrial fertilizer production. On the other hand, using blended lime with the most limiting essential nutrients based on soil fertility status will improve both efficiency and application costs with other multiple advantages over the classic ones.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-7-02

Publication date: April 30^th 2021