Response of Food Barley and Bread Wheat to the Application of Lime, in Organic and Organic Fertilizer on Acidic Nitisols of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Acidic soils limit the production potential of crops because of low availability of basic cations and excess of hydrogen (H+) and aluminium (Al3+) in exchangeable forms. Lime and Organic amendments can contribute to correct soil acidity and soil degradation. The combined application of lime and VC onwheat has not been investigated in the area, in which wheat and barley was one of the potential cereal crops in the area. A field experiment was conducted on acidic nitisols of west shewa zone of two districts (Jibat and Ilfata) in two locations at 2020 cropping season to evaluate the role of integrated soil acidity management, including applications of lime and Vermicompost on food barley and wheat growth and grain yield integrated with the use of inorganic fertilizer alone. The treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Growth, yield and yield components result showed a significant effect (p<0.05) on plant height, spike length, number of seed per plant, above ground biomass of wheat and barley. Most of treatment receive amendments were statistically equal, however the combined application of lime at 50% + 50% VC and 50% RSSF ha-1 gave the highest growth and other yield and yield components parameters equally with full dose application whereas the lowest was from control plots for both test crops. Generally, integrated use of properly managed lime, organic (VC) and inorganic/mineral fertilizer could be used for soil acidity management and crop production in acid soil of the study area.