Effect of liming and applied phosphorus on growth and P uptake of maize (Zea mays subsp.) plant grown in acid soils of West Wollega, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating effects of lime and mineral P fertilizers on P uptake and growth of maize (Zea mays subsp.) in greenhouse pot experiment. Combination of four P rates and four lime rates were applied to four highly acidic soil samples and the soils were incubated for a total of 112 days after which maize (Zea mays subsp.) was planted. The maize plants were harvested for analysis after 42 days of growth. Control experiments were also included. Available P (Bray I) and pH were significantly increased after incubation. Maximum available P was obtained in the soils that received the highest P rate and optimum lime rate. Levels of exchangeable acidity were significantly decreased in the P and lime treated soils compared to the control experiments. Plant biomasses and P uptake of maize increased significantly (p ≤ 0.001) with application of P and lime compared to the control experiments.

Keywords:

• Acid soil
• lime rates
• P rates
• P uptake
• plant biomass

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Haramaya University research grant and Ethiopian Ministry of Education. We thus acknowledge these institutions and the staff members of the School of Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Haramaya University, for providing us with the necessary supports to accomplish this work.