Lime and manure combo doubles down on acidic soil fixes
Fekadu E, Woretaw Y, Hussen M
Soil Health
If your garden soil is on the acidic side, this study shows that pairing a mineral amendment like lime with organic matter like manure works better together than either one alone, boosting both plant output and long-term soil health.
Farmers in the Ethiopian highlands have been struggling with increasingly acidic soil that stunts crop growth. Researchers tested different combinations of manure and lime on maize fields and found that a specific mix (8 tons of manure with 1.5 tons of lime per hectare) produced the biggest grain harvest, while even more manure and lime boosted the plant's overall size and organic matter in the soil. It's a reminder that fixing soil acidity isn't just about adding one fix, it's about finding the right balance of ingredients working together.
Key Findings
Maximum grain yield of 4,087 kg/ha achieved with 8 t/ha manure combined with 1.5 t/ha lime
Highest stalk yield (11,155 kg/ha) and biomass (14,803.7 kg/ha) came from 12 t/ha manure plus 3 t/ha lime
12 t/ha manure alone raised soil organic carbon content by 54% to 1.96%, and the 3 t lime plus 12 t manure combo maximized available phosphorus at 14.41 mg/kg
chevron_right Technical Summary
Ethiopian researchers found that combining lime and manure on acidic farmland boosted maize yields significantly, with 8 tons of manure plus 1.5 tons of lime per hectare producing the best grain harvest while also improving soil fertility.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Maize (zea mays l.) yield, and selected chemical properties of soils as influenced by lime and manure application in acid soils of Meket District, northeastern Ethiopia.
Acid affected soils have been expanding in the Ethiopian highlands, and caused serious yield decline. Organic amendments and lime have been used to manage soil acidity. However, the rate and the ri...
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