Kidanemariam, W and Agegnehu, G and Molla, E (2025) The Ameliorative Effects of Lime and Vermicompost on Yield and Yield Components of Barley (Hordeum vulgar L.) and Soil Properties in Acidic Soil of Northwestern Ethiopia. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science, 37 (2). pp. 318-334. ISSN 2320-7035
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Abstract
Soil acidity and fertility depletion are the major challenges to crop production in the northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. In response to this problem, this study was conducted on acidic soils of Banja district of northwestern Ethiopia to evaluate the main and interaction effects of different rates of lime and vermicompost application on soil properties, and yield and yield components of barley during 2020 main cropping season. The factorial combinations of four rates of lime (0, 50, 100, and 150%) or (0, 0.93, 1.86, and 2.79 t/ha-1) with three rates of vermicompost (0, 2.5 and 5 t ha-1) were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-15 cm before the application of treatments and after harvesting. The results revealed that the interaction effects of lime (2.79 t ha-1) with VC (5 t ha-1) significantly increased soil pH (5.55), exchangeable calcium (14.36%), and exchangeable sodium (0.58%). Similarly organic carbon (3.17%), and exchangeable magnesium (1.49%) increased at the application of lime (1.86 t ha-1) with vermicompost (5 t ha-1). The main effects also increased total nitrogen, available phosphorus, cation exchangeable capacity, and potassium, whereas significantly decreased exchangeable acidity and aluminum. The main and interaction effects of lime and vermicompost significantly improved yield and yield components of barley. The highest grain yield of 5097 kg ha-1 was recorded from the combined application of lime 1.86 t ha-1 and vermicompost 5 t ha-1. Whereas, the lowest grain yield of 3635 kg ha-1 was recorded from the control. Overall, the combined application of organic fertilizer and lime amendments could be recommended to amend soil acidity and improve the availability of nutrients and crop yield. However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of both organic and lime amendments.
Item Type: | Article |
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Divisions: | Research Program : East & Southern Africa |
CRP: | UNSPECIFIED |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Barley, grain yield, lime, soil acidity, vermicompost |
Subjects: | Others > Soil Others > Crop Yield Others > Soil Science |
Depositing User: | Mr Nagaraju T |
Date Deposited: | 20 Aug 2025 05:11 |
Last Modified: | 20 Aug 2025 05:11 |
URI: | http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13292 |
Official URL: | https://journalijpss.com/index.php/IJPSS/article/v... |
Projects: | UNSPECIFIED |
Funders: | UNSPECIFIED |
Acknowledgement: | We would like to thank the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for providing financial support for this research. Our deepest gratitude goes to Pawe Agricultural Research Center for their support in field trial management and laboratory service for the analysis of soil and plant samples. We are sincerely grateful to the researchers, laboratory technicians, and field assistants of Pawe Agricultural Research Center for assistance during the field study period. |
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