Effects of Liming on Physicochemical Properties and Nutrient Availability of Acidic Soils in Welmera Woreda, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidity is one of chemical soil degradation problems which affect productivity of the soil in Ethiopian highlands. The purpose of this research was to identify the status of soil acidity and determine the amount of lime requirement for neutralization to increase plant nutrient availability in Welmera woreda, Oromia region. More specifically the study pointed out statistically, the nutrient availability before and after liming acidic soil using paired t-test. The results indicated that the soil of study area was strongly acidic (pH < 5.3) and exchangeable acidity was from 2.86±0.01 - 3.55±0.07 cmol/Kg. The soil showed low concentration of plant nutrients (AP, TN, K, Ca, Mg) and high in micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) contents. After 90 days liming in greenhouse incubation of the soils, the results showed effective neutralization of the soil, which indicated it was properly limed and the effects of soil acidity on nutrient availability was clearly observed. The concentration of all anions (AP, TN, and OC), cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca⁺² and Mg⁺²) and micronutrients were found to be significantly different except TN and OC, between the soil samples for before and after liming. After limed acidic soils, anion and cations are improved their availability for plant while micronutrients are decreased from toxicity to normal condition.

Keywords: Acidity, Incubation, Liming, Lime Materials, Soil pH