Effects of minimum tillage and liming on maize (Zea mays L.) yield components and selected properties of acid soils in Assosa Zone, West Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidity is a serious threat to crop production in Ethiopia. However, liming and soil management practices are effective for restoration of acid soils. The study was conducted to evaluate effects of different tillage practices, liming materials, and liming rates on maize (Zea mays L.) yield components as well as soil physicochemical properties in Assosa and Bambasi Districts of Assosa Zone. A split-split plot design of 2 tillage practices * 2 liming materials * 4 liming rates with three replications for one year was used on each location on farmer-managed plots. The study revealed that the tillage practices showed significant differences on grain per cob at both sites; BD (bulk density), available Cu and Zn at Amba-2 Kebele; whereas, thousand grain weights, CEC (cation exchange capacity), exchangeable Al 3+ , total acidity, exchangeable Mg 2+ , available Mn and Zn at Mender-49 Kebele. The liming materials used had shown significant difference on thousand grain weights, Av-P, exchangeable Mg 2+ , available Fe, Cu and Zn at Amba-2 Kebele; whereas, pH, exchangeable Al 3+ , total acidity, exchangeable Na + and Mg 2+ , available Cu and Zn at Mender-49 Kebele. Furthermore, different liming rates significantly affected all maize yield and yield component parameters as well as soil property parameters except BD and soil texture at both sites, OC (organic carbon) and exchangeable K + at Amba-2 Kebele were not significant. The interaction effects of the treatments showed significant differences on available micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) at both Kebeles. Accordingly, the interaction of minimum tillage with recommended rate of dolomitic lime had improved maize productivity through ameliorating the physicochemical properties of acid soils in the study area. • Soil acidity drastically decline maize crop yield. • Minimum tillage has positive effect on soil acidity over the traditional tillage management. • Reclamation of acid soils with calcitic and dolomitic lime improves maize crop yield and yield components. • Minimum tillage and liming improve the physicochemical properties of acid soils.