Influence of Agricultural Lime in Alleviating Acidity Level of Various Acid Soils

Influence of agricultural lime in acidity level, macro-nutrients (P&K) mineralization and plant growth in various acid soils were investigated inside glass house in French bean (Phaseolus vulgare). The experiment underwent from 24th July to 8th October 2017. Liming of five different acid soils (Pine Forest Soil, Black Soil, Red Soil, Swampy Soil and Cultivated Soil) were done as per the doses recommended by SMP buffer method. Plant height was measured, and the soil was sampled to 15 to 25cm depth, initially and then at interval of 15 days till 75th day of treatment application. The experiment was carried under Completely Randomized design (CRD). Data of soil parameters (soil pH, P & K availability) and plant parameter (plant height) at different times were critically analyzed for significance test at 5% level of significance. Desirable pH range for crop cultivation was achieved after 30 days, however desirable soil pH range was only achieved after 45-60 days of lime application. Most significant increase in pH of Red soil was observed after 15 days of treatment application (from pH 4.9 to 6.2) and gradually increased up to 7.3 in 75 days, highest among all other soils. mineralization of soil K in swampy soil was statistically significant and superior among all types of soil/treatment considered for study followed by black soil cultivated soil as most superior in terms of P-mineralization for all cases followed by black soil French bean seemed much responsive to Normally Cultivated Soil while the least responsive to Pine Forest Soil.

Keywords:Soil Acidity; Liming; Available soil potash; Available soil phosphorus