Environmental & Analytical Toxicology

Effects of Liming Acidic Soils on Improving Soil Properties and Yield of Haricot Bean

Abstract

Adane Buni

Field experiment was carried out in Sodo Zuria Woreda, Kutosorpelakebele on Nitisol loam soil with an inherent property of high Phosphorus fixation and acidity to study the influence of liming on reducing soil acidity and improving the desirable soil characteristics and grain yield of haricot bean. The treatments comprised four levels of lime (0, 1250, 2500& 3750 kg ha-1). These were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results showed that soil pH increased from 5.03 to 6.72 by applying 3750 kg ha-1 lime and the exchangeable acidity reduced significantly. Moreover, liming significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), available Phosphorus and decreased available micronutrients except Cu. Grain yield showed a slight increment with an increase in the lime addition. Haricot bean yield was positively correlated with soil pH (r=0.23), CEC (r=0.28) available phosphorus (0.27) and negatively with the exchangeable acidity (r = -0.37). This study stresses the importance of long-term lime experiments on major crops in order to investigate the residual effects and reduce lime costs.