Agricultural Lime Research Articles

Assessing the Spatial Distribution, Condition, and Intensity of Soil Acidity for Informed Management Decisions in the Semen Aari District of Ari Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Soil acidity poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity in Ethiopia's highlands, particularly affecting the Semen Ari district in the Ari zone. The common practice of applying agricultural lime to mitigate soil acidity is hampered by a lack of detailed information on the extent, severity, and spatial distribution of acidic soils. This study aims to determine how soil acidity varies spatially by identifying and mapping the specific geographic patterns of soil acidity levels in the Semen Ari district. Seventy-one composite soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were geo-referenced and analyzed. Using statistical analysis and ArcGIS software for spatial interpolation through ordinary kriging, soil pH ranged from 3.29 to 5.68, classifying 99% of the soils as strongly acidic. The root mean squared error (RMSE) of the interpolation was 0.30. Soil pH showed a significant negative correlation with exchangeable acidity but a non-significant negative correlation with organic carbon and total nitrogen. The results highlight the need for targeted soil management strategies, such as appropriate lime application rates and the cultivation of acid-tolerant crops, to enhance crop yields. Further research is recommended to include comprehensive soil property datasets to better understand the factors influencing soil pH variability, thus supporting more precise management of acidic soils in the region. The generated high-resolution soil acidity map serves as a valuable tool for agricultural planning and decision-making.

Adapting and Verifying the Liming Index for Enhanced Rock Weathering Minerals as an Alternative Liming Approach

Acidic soils limit plant nutrient availability, leading to deficiencies and reduced crop yields. Agricultural liming agents address these issues and are crucial for deploying silicate amendments used in enhanced rock weathering (ERW) for carbon sequestration and emission reduction. Grower recommendations for liming agents are based on the liming index (LI), which combines the neutralizing value (NV) and fineness rating (FR) to predict a mineral’s acidity neutralization relative to pure calcite. However, the LI was originally developed for carbonate minerals, and its applicability to silicates remains uncertain, with studies often yielding inconclusive results on soil carbon and liming efficiency. This study aims to evaluate the liming efficiency of silicates. We determined the LI of five candidate ERW minerals (basalt, olivine, wollastonite, kimberlite, and montmorillonite) and compared them to pure calcite. Post-NV acid digestion, we characterized the minerals and soils, applying nonparametric statistical tests (Wilcoxon, Kendall) to correlate liming results with LI, dosage, and amendment methods. We developed an empirical model incorporating mineralogy and kinetics to explain silicate behavior in liming, considering soil, climate, and crop factors.

Effects of Successive Top-Dressing Application of Lime on a Sweet Cherry Orchard in Southern Chile

Annual top-dressing application of agricultural lime is a common practice in fruit orchards on acidic soils in southern Chile, which could result in surface over-liming and base imbalances. A trial was performed in a cherry orchard with an 8-year history of surface liming to evaluate the effectiveness of lime materials in neutralizing acidity in the soil profile and the effect on the tree nutritional status. No-lime (NL), calcitic (AgL), hydrated (HL), and liquid (LL) lime treatments were applied on soil surface at commercial rates, and soil acidity variables were measured at depths of 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm in samples collected at 0, 15, 30, 60, and 225 days after application. Tree nutritional status was evaluated through foliar analysis. Top-dressing application of AgL was ineffective in ameliorating subsoil acidity at depths >5 cm, even in high-rainfall conditions. HL did not exhibit greater alkalinity mobility compared to AgL, although it had a faster but shorter-lived reaction. At the manufacturer-recommended rates, LL application was ineffective. After 8 years of top-dressing liming with AgL, a significant stratification of soil pH, Al, and Ca was observed. However, foliar concentration of bases did not reflect the surface Ca accumulation in soil, discarding an antagonistic cation competition for tree uptake.

Application of soil amendments to reduce the transfer of trace metal elements from contaminated soils of Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of the Congo) to vegetables

The extraction of copper and cobalt from mines has led to the contamination of agricultural soils by trace metal elements (TMEs) (e.g. Cu: 204 to 1355 mg/kg). The mining industry is one of the sources of metal discharges into the environment, contributing to water, soil, and air contamination and causing metabolic disorders in the inhabitants of the city of Lubumbashi (R.D. Congo). This study assessed the effectiveness of organocalcareous soil improvers applied to TME-contaminated soils to reduce their transfer to plants. Following a factorial design, increasing doses of organic soil improvers (chicken droppings and sawdust) and agricultural lime were applied to the soils of three market gardens (high, medium, and low Cu contamination). The experiment was monitored for 60 days. Soil physicochemical properties (pH, TOC, and total and available copper, cobalt, lead, cadmium, and zinc (mg/kg)) were determined for the three gardens and in the vegetable biomass. The daily consumption index of the vegetables was determined based on total TME content. The results show that organocalcareous soil improvers did not promote plant growth and survival on soils with high and medium levels of copper contamination. However, on soils with low copper content, organocalcareous soil improvers improved germination and plant survival and reduced the transfer of metals from the soil to the plants. The best germination and plant survival rates were obtained with the lightly contaminated market garden. In addition, the organo-limestone amendments applied to the soils slightly increased the soil pH from acidic to slightly acidic, with pH values ranging from (5.43 ± 0.07 to 7.26 ± 0.33). The daily vegetable consumption index obtained for cobalt in the low-contaminated garden ranged from (0.029 to 0.465 mg/60 kg/day), i.e. from 0.5 to 8.45 times higher than the FAO/WHO limit, unlike the other trace metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) for which the daily consumption index found was lower than the FAO/WHO limit. Organocalcareous soil improvers can only be applied to soils with low levels of TME contamination, but for soils with medium to high levels of metal contamination, new soilless production techniques such as hydroponics or bioponics are needed.

Influencia de enmiendas calcáreas sobre el rendimiento y calidad para fritura de la papa variedad Bicentenaria

The quality of potatoes for processing depends on varietal, environmental and crop management factors, and the consumption of potato products has increased.The objective of the research was to determine the effect of calcareous amendments on the production and frying quality of potatoes potato cv. Bicentenaria under high Andean conditions. The research was carried out in the rural community of Canín at Checras district (Lima) altitude of 3880 masl. The climate of the locality is humid and cold, with an annual rainfall of 800 mm and acid soils (pH 5.0) of sandy-clay texture. Five liming treatments and a control without liming were applied to the soil (agricultural lime 500 kg ha-1 and carbonatite 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 kg ha-1). Agronomic and biochemical characteristics of the tuber were evaluated and sensory analysis was performed for potato frying. Data were analyzed statistically and the Scott-Knott test was used to compare treatment means. Liming with carbonatite 1500 kg ha-1 statistically outperformed the other treatments in tuber weight and was similar to the control; treatment with carbonatite 1000 kg ha-1 had a greater effect on mean tuber weight. The treatments with agricultural lime or carbonatite significantly reduced (p <0.05) the glucose content in the tuber with respect to the control. Sensory tests were significant for liming treatments for chip color. Soil liming influenced some agronomic characteristics and biochemical parameters of the tuber, as well as the sensory evaluation of potato chips.

Effect of Lime Source, Fineness and Granulation on Soil Permeation with Contrasting Textures under Simulated Mediterranean Climate Rainfall Conditions

ABSTRACT Granulated micro-fine limes have recently been introduced as liming materials which are purportedly more effective than conventional agricultural limes in terms of rapidly correcting subsoil acidity in no-tillage systems. Hydrated limes are known to react more quickly in soils than calcitic limes, yet their soil permeability has not been evaluated under Mediterranean climate growing conditions. Therefore, the aim of this controlled study was to compare soil permeation and pH neutralization of different liming materials (hydrated lime, calcitic agricultural lime, micro-fine lime and molasses-granulated micro-fine lime) in two contrasting (sand and sandy loam) acid (pHKCl < 4.1) topsoils under simulated Mediterranean climate conditions. Limes were surface applied to 40 cm soil columns and then rainfall (350 mm) was simulated. Subsequently, soil chemical properties (pH, exchangeable cations, available P) were measured in 5 cm increments. Application of all liming materials increased soil pH 1–2 pH units above target pHKCl of 5.5 in the top 5 cm of both soils. Only hydrated lime was able to increase soil pHKCl (5.7–6.8) below 5 cm up to a depth of 15 cm on the sand soil. Hydrated lime, however, resulted in substantial over-liming (pHKCl 7.3–8.7) of the top 5 cm of soil compared to the other materials. Granulated micro-fine lime reacted more slowly than the agricultural limes and is therefore not a suitable quick-fix for subsoil acidity in rain-fed no-till systems under Mediterranean climate rainfall conditions. Whereas hydrated lime showed potential in ameliorating subsoil acidity in the sand soil within one season of rainfall.

Potential Antagonists Trichoderma viride as Biofungicide, Plant Spacing, and Agricultural Lime Application to Suppress Anthracnose on Chili

Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum capsici and C. gloesporium on chili is a disease that can reduce chili yields up to 80%. Control with fungicide has not been able to provide maximum results, because Colletotrichum can spread due to splashing of water, especially in the rainy season. The use of antagonistic fungi against Colletotrichum spp. has been widely published but is still limited to the laboratory and greenhouse scale, while field conditions are unpredictable. This study aims to identify the potency of Trichoderma viride that can be used as a biofungicide to control anthracnose in chili and to determine aspects of agronomic that can reduce the risk of anthracnose in chili. Samples of infected plants of stems, leaves, and fruits were collected from experimental farm of Bogor Agricultural Development Polytechnic. The experiment was conducted using Randomized Complete Design and Randomized Complete Block Design. The percentage of disease intensity of the fungus C capsici and the intensity of anthracnose in chili both under screen house and open fields. While testing the effect of cultivation aspects using different types of fertilizer on plant height, fruit weight, number of fruits, and the percentage of disease intensity of Colletotrichum spp. were analyzed. The results of this study shown that four isolates of fungi have been identified such as Penicillium sp., Aspergillus flavus, T. viride, and C. capsici. In vitro analysis shown the ability of T. viride to suppress the growth of the C. capsici up to 71%. The fungus T. viride with a density of 7×106 CFU/mL can suppress the development of anthracnose by 59 to 87% under screen house conditions. However, under field conditions, the fungus T. viride was not able to suppress the development of anthracnose. Agronomic aspects such as plant height, number of fruits and production, and productivity of chili were not significantly effect on anthracnose.

Biomass Ash as a Substitute for Lime and Its Impact on Grassland Soil, Forage, and Soil Microbiota

In this eight-year grassland field trial, we compared the fertilization effects of biomass ashes (BMAs) and carbonated lime (CaCO3) in combined application with cattle slurry (CS). Our study focused on plant coverage, forage yield, and quality, as well as soil physicochemical and microbiological properties. The fertilization strategies included CS mixed with BMA or CaCO3 applied three times a year and a separate annual application of ash or CaCO3, independent of CS. Samplings were performed in 2010, 2014, and 2018. Despite an absence of observable effects on soil, microbial properties, and forage quality, CS application, with or without BMA/CaCO3, resulted in higher forage yields compared to the unfertilized control and plots receiving only ash or CaCO3. Forage properties remained consistent across treatments. However, the combined application of CS with both ash and CaCO3 led to a reduction in volatile organic compounds, total carbon, total nitrogen, nitrate, and electrical conductivity in the soil from 2010 to 2018. Additionally, the relative abundance of specific microbial families (Nitrosomonadaceae, Acidothermaceae, Bacillaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae) varied based on whether soils received a single amendment or a combination thereof. Our findings suggest that BMA is a valuable substitute for traditional liming agents, regardless of the application mode.

Effect of Differences in the Composition of Growing Media on the Growth of White Oyster Mushroom Mycelium (Pleurotus ostreatus)

The use of the main growth medium in the form of wood sawdust in mushroom domestication is still higher than that of other organic materials, even though its availability is limited, so efforts need to be made to find a growth medium composition that minimizes the percentage of sawdust use. The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of treatment 1 (80% teak sawdust, 10% bran, 5% tapioca flour, and 5% agricultural lime) with treatment 2 (70% teak sawdust, 15% bran, 10% tapioca flour, and 5% agricultural lime) on the percentage of growth and mycelium growth of white oyster mushrooms. Composting of growing media was carried out for 5 days, then baglog making was carried out, after which the baglog was sterilized for 4 hours. After sterilization, the baglog was cooled and inoculated. After inoculation, the baglog is incubated to grow mycelium. Then, after 15 days, data collection and calculation were carried out. The parameters measured were the percentage of growth and mycelium growth of white oyster mushrooms in baglogs. Results showed that the percentage of growth and mycelial growth of white oyster mushrooms in treatment 1 is better than in treatment 2. Reducing the percentage of the main growing medium of teak sawdust and adding the percentage of additional growing media of bran and tapioca flour has a negative impact on the number of baglogs that grow mycelium (percentage of growth) and the growth of white oyster mushroom mycelium. This means that reducing the main media of teak sawdust and adding additional media is not the right growing media composition for domestication of white oyster mushrooms, so it cannot be used as an alternative growing media composition to reduce the use of wood sawdust.

Enhanced biomass production and harvesting efficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under high-ammonium conditions by powdered oyster shell

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii prefers ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen source, but its late-stage growth under high-NH4+ concentrations (0.5 ∼ 1 g/L) is retarded due to medium acidification. In this study, oyster shell powders were shown to increase the tolerance of C. reinhardtii to NH4+ supplementation at 0.7 g/L in TAP medium in 1-L bubble-column bioreactors, resulting in a 22.9 % increase in biomass production, 62.1 % rise in unsaturated fatty acid accumulation, and 19.2 % improvement in harvesting efficiency. Powdered oyster shell mitigated medium acidification (pH 7.2–7.8) and provided dissolved inorganic carbon up to 8.02 × 103 μmol/L, facilitating a 76.3 % NH4+ consumption, release of up to 189 mg/L of Ca2+, a 42.1 % reduction in ζ-potential and 27.7 % increase in flocculation activity of microalgae cells. This study highlights a promising approach to utilize powdered oyster shell as a liming agent, supplement carbon source, and bio-flocculant for enhancing biomass production and microalgae harvesting in NH4+-rich environments.

Horticultural additives influence peat biogeochemistry and increase short-term CO2 production from peat

Abstract Aims Peat is used as a major ingredient of growing media in horticulture. Peat extracted from bogs can be acidic and low in nutrient availability and is therefore mixed with liming agents, nutrients, surfactants, perlite and so on. This study aims to estimate the rates at which raw peat and the modified peat (‘growing media’) decompose to release carbon dioxide (CO2), to estimate the release of carbon (C) from liming agents and to estimate how peat biogeochemistry is changed. Methods We obtained 28 and 24 samples of raw peat and 24 growing media from four peat extraction companies in Canada. Growing media were treated with horticultural additives. We incubated the samples under laboratory conditions, measuring CO2 production, tracer using $${\updelta }^{13}{\text{C}}$$ δ 13 C -$${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 , pH, C, nitrogen (N) content and humification indices (HIs) from infrared technology called Fourier transform-mid infrared (FT-MIR). Results C:N ratio, pH, dissolved organic carbon, bulk density and C content differed significantly (P &lt; 0.05) between raw peats and growing media. There was more than a doubling of total $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 production from growing media compared to raw peat. HIs show higher values for the growing media, which could result from spectral band shifts in the growing media because of increased cation availability. $${\updelta }^{13}{\text{C}}$$ δ 13 C -$${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 as a tracer showed an average 22% of the total $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 production orginated from added carbonate materials. Conclusion Our results provide the rates (0.15 ± 0.017mgCO2-Cg−1d−1) at which horticultural peat decomposes and on the source of emitted $${{\text{CO}}}_{2}$$ CO 2 . This will improve current estimates CO2 emissions from horticultural peat.

Effect of liming on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons leaching from hydrocarbon-contaminated tectogenic industriosol

Soil stabilization/solidification is commonly employed remediation method for contaminated soils. Until now, limited attention has been given to the application of quicklime in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soil. We treated a tectogenic industriosol spiked with 50 mg kg−1 of four PAHs (12.5 mg kg−1 each of fluorene (FLU), phenanthrene (PHE), fluoranthene (FLT) and pyrene (PYR)) using three different liming agents at 1% (w:w): quicklime (CaO), hydrated lime (Ca(OH)2) and carbonate calcium (CaCO3). All treated samples were leached in water at a solid-liquid ratio of 10, with subsequent analysis of leached soil and leachates for PAHs content. Results revealed that the addition of liming agents led to a reduction in FLU and PHE concentrations in treated soil by 6.81 ± 2.47% and 28.88 ± 4.18%, respectively, compared to a not-treated sol. However, no significant impact was observed on the 4-cycles PAHs (FLT and PYR). The addition of liming agents also significantly decreased the amount of PAHs in the leachate, by 100% for FLU and PHE, and by 74.9 ± 17.5% and 72.3 ± 34.8%, for FLT and PYR, respectively, compared to not limed soil. Among the liming agents, quicklime was the most effective in reducing the amount of 4 cycles PAHs in the leachate. Various mechanisms, such as encapsulation, volatilization and oxidation could contribute to this observed reduction. Quicklime treatment at a concentration of 1% w:w in PAHs-contaminated soil emerges as a promising technique to effectively reduce PAHs concentration in soils and mitigate PAHs mobility through leaching. This study also sheds light on the possibility to limit CO2 emissions and resources exploitation to assure the remediation process, thereby enhancing its overall environmental sustainability.

Is agricultural lime a profitable investment for African smallholders? Evidence from Rwanda

Soil acidity is a major constraint to crop production in tropical regions. Although agricultural lime is one option to remediate acid soils, there is limited information on the potential returns on investments to liming by smallholders. Using survey data collected from 261 households in Rwanda, we estimated the crop-specific yield response to lime application and associated financial benefits. The estimated average yield gain from lime ranged from 941 kg/ha to 1 579 kg/ha for Irish potato, 562 kg/ha to 709 kg/ha for maize, and 453 kg/ha to 520 kg/ha for beans. With the existing lime and farmgate crop prices, reliable returns on investment from lime were observed for Irish potato, while applying lime to maize and bean was only profitable at a 50% lime price subsidy. As maize and beans are the major staple crops in Rwanda, the subsidy for ag-lime use in improving crop productivity is highly justifiable. The results inform policy decisions in considering market-oriented crops and subsidies when promoting agricultural lime in acid soils under smallholder conditions.

Fast-dissolving calcium carbonate particles as a high-performance lime for amelioration of agricultural acidic soils

Effective soil management is essential for maximizing crop yields, as soil fertility plays a pivotal role in this process. Unfortunately, liming and fertilization practices are frequently ineffective, leading to overdoses and unnecessary product waste. Liming is essential for correcting soil acidity, mitigating aluminum toxicity, and promoting nutrient bioavailability before fertilizer application. This study explores the potential of vaterite, a highly soluble CaCO3 polymorph, as a sustainable liming agent. Vaterite particle synthesis is challenging because of its poor stability and rapid phase transformation into calcite, therefore, we analyze the effects of precursor concentration, Ca2+/CO32- ratio, and stirring rate on vaterite morphology and content in a reactive precipitation process through screening and D-optimal experimental designs, resulting in a design space to tailor the conditions that promote vaterite particles with a high dissolution profile at the lowest possible cost. To assess the efficacy of fast-dissolving CaCO3 particles, a comparative incubation test was conducted in andisol-type soil with a high buffering capacity. The results demonstrated that vaterite particles were capable of quickly adjusting the soil pH in the first few days using 360% fewer conventional liming agents. This innovative strategy aligns with Precision Agriculture principles, enabling efficient crop production while minimizing the environmental impact.

Do soil enzyme activities explain stimulated carbon mineralization following liming?

Losses of soil organic carbon (C) following liming have been proposed to result from stimulated C mineralization, which could occur through a variety of mechanisms including soil enzymes. Given the pH-sensitivity of enzyme activities, liming could impact catalysis of C mineralization by extracellular enzymes independently of microbial response. To this end, we evaluated the responses of C mineralization as CO2 flux, permanganate-oxidizable C (POXC), and the activities of C-hydrolytic enzymes to liming of a Haplic Ferralsol (Typic Kandiudox) in western Kenya under three differing 11-year soil fertility managements: unfertilized (UNF), mineral fertilized (MIN), and organic fertilized (ORG). Five rates of Ca(OH)2 (1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 t ha−1) and an unlimed control were used to establish a pH gradient of 4.6–6.4. Soil C mineralization rates assessed as CO2 production peaked within 5 d for high liming rates, and converged to a similar rate as unlimed soils after 21 d. At 28 d, activities of β-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase decreased with increasing pH, increased for β-glucosaminidase, and were unaffected for β-galactosidase. POXC generally increased with liming rate for fertilized soils, more so in ORG and less in MIN soils, with relative increases of 18%, 5%, and 1% for ORG, MIN and UNF soils, respectively, at 7.5 relative to 0 t ha−1 liming. This study identifies potentially rapid albeit short-lived stimulation of C mineralization following addition of a highly soluble liming agent. Notably, decreases in activities of soil enzymes that catalyze the first and last step of the cellulosic C depolymerization suggests that short-term losses of soil C were not driven by enzyme activities, and may occur in spite of lowered C-hydrolytic enzyme activity. The enhanced C mineralization observed could reflect augmentation of labile C pools via non-enzymatic processes (e.g., desorption) in the short-term.

Evaluation of Different Agricultural Limes for Bread Wheat and Fababean Production in Acid Soil of West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

The application of lime is believed to enhance soil health status through improving soil pH, base saturation and reduces Al and Mn toxicities. Liming effects depend on the source, composition, purity and fineness of the lime. The performance of three liming materials and one control treatment was evaluated in a field trial, further evaluation and validation was done at three districts on different farmers’ sites during 2023 main cropping season. The liming materials included calcitic lime, hydrated lime, and quick lime. The treatments laid out in randomized complete block design. The results of the study showed that all tested lime materials (calcitic lime, hydrated lime, and quick lime) improved yield and agronomic performance of wheat, barley and fababean in comparably. This implies that hydrated limes can serve as an alternative agricultural lime to ameliorate soil acidity. Hence, these liming materials can be used as agricultural lime material and the result is confirmed through validation across locations on different testing crops (wheat, barley and Faba bean). So, it is recommended that liming materials which can be easily accessed for the farmers is recommended because of there is no significant difference among liming material tested.

Rice husk ash : A prospective tool for soil acidity management in homestead vegetable cultivation

Due to the high cost of traditional liming materials, it is necessary to use organic sources that are readily available, inexpensive, environmentally acceptable, and adaptable as liming agents and fertilizer for vegetable production. Therefore, focus is placed on using rice husk ash, which is significantly more readily available and less expensive in Kerala, as a soil ameliorant. Furthermore, it contains a lot of potassium and silica.Si has reportedly been shown to have various benefits in addition to increasing yield, such as improving nutrient availability, lowering nutrient toxicity, and reducing biotic and abiotic stress in plants. The lime application will be simplified due to the utilization of rice husk ash in place of lime. In order to determine the impact of rice husk ash (RHA) on soil acidity management in homestead vegetable cultivation, the tomato variety VellayaniVijai was used as the test crop in the current study. There were six treatments, each of which was replicated three times. The highest number of fruits (29.3) and yield per plant (0.855 kg plant-1) were recorded in T6 (Soil test based recommended dose of fertilizers + Rice husk ash @ 125 % lime as per soil test). According to the findings, rice husk ash can be used as a substitute source of lime for vegetables. RHA acted as an excellent source of Si and K and decreased the uptake of iron in all of the treatments where it was applied as a soil ameliorant, resulting in an increase in the available Si and K content in the soil.

Humate-Silica as an ameliorant to decrease Fe toxicity and increase rice yields on acid sulfate soils

Iron toxicity is a major problem in increasing rice production in acid-sulfate soils. Humate materials and Silica ions can interact with Fe ions to form chelates so that they can decrease Fe toxicity and increase rice yields. This research aimed to study the effect of humate-silica soil on decreasing Fe toxicity and increasing rice yields in acid-sulfate soils. The research employed a simple randomized block design incorporating treatments F0=100% lime, F1=30% humate manufacturer+30% rice husk ash+40% lime, F2=30% water hyacinth humate+30% rice husk ash+40% lime, F3=30% water hyacinth humate+30% rice husk biochar + 40% lime, F4=30% humate manufacturer+30% rice husk biochar+40% lime, and control=without ameliorant. Each treatment was repeated 4 times. Observations of soil characteristics were carried out at the end vegetative stage including pH and Fe, while at the end of the research, observed including panicle length, 100g weight, and grain weight per pot. The findings indicated that F1 was able to increase pH and decrease Fe2+ concentration and wasn’t significantly different from F3. Ameliorant F3 was able to decrease Fe toxicity and increase rice yields. The application of this formula resulted in a decrease in the usage of agricultural lime while enhancing rice productivity in tidal soil.

Zinc fertilization in bareroot pine seedbeds

Zinc deficiencies are rare in pine seedlings with less than five documented cases in bareroot nurseries. One temporary deficiency occurred after soil was land-leveled (i.e., topsoil removed) and another occurred on a peat soil after more than 2,200 kg of agricultural lime was applied before sowing. Farmers also observe zinc deficiencies on (1) over-limed areas and (2) where Zn-demanding crops are grown on areas where topsoil was removed during land leveling. Since ZnSO4 is a naturally occurring pesticide, sometimes height growth increases are due to pest control. In pathogen-rich soils, pine growth may be improved more by the fungicidal effect than by a growth benefit from added sulphur and zinc. As a result, a pseudo-deficient response is possible when growth of non-deficient seedlings increases after treatment with large amounts of ZnSO4 or ZnCl2. In some trials, claims of a Zn deficiency have been made without supporting evidence from foliar tests or from tests using pathogen-free soil. Although fertilization with Zn increased seedling growth at pine nurseries in New Zealand, India, Russia, and Wisconsin, only at the Sweetwater Nursery in New Zealand did foliar tests prove a Zn deficiency.

Farmer’s Perception Towards Agricultural Lime Technology in the Case of Ejere District, West Shewa, Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Farmer’s Perception Towards Agricultural Lime Technology in the Case of Ejere District, West Shewa, Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia