Determine the Effect of Lime and Boron Interaction on Nutrient Availability and Acidity Parameters in Soil

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to examine the determine the effect of lime and boron interaction on nutrient availability and acidity parameters in soil. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) in field with four levels of lime (L0 – No lime, L0.3 – Furrow application @ 300 kg ha-1, L2.0 – Broadcasting @ 2 t ha-1, L5.0 – Broadcasting @ 5 t ha-1) and four levels of boron (B0 – No Boron, B0.5 – Broadcasting @ 0.5 kg ha-1, B1.0– Broadcasting @ 1 kg ha-1, B1.5 – Broadcasting @ 1.5 kg ha-1), respectively. B fertilization is therefore important to improve soil B availability and crop growth in the region. Availability of applied B in soil may be affected due to its possible interaction with lime which is usually recommended as an ameliorative measure in acidic soils. In this view, a field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of lime and B application on growth, yield and quality of soybean, as well as their effect on nutrient availability and acidity parameters in soil. The crop was grown with four doses of lime (0, 0.3, 2.0 and 5.0 t ha-1) and as many doses of B application (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kg ha-1). The experiment was taken in RBD design with factorial arrangements of the treatments. Seed yield of soybean increased with increasing doses of lime and Boron application with the highest yield being observed at 5tha-1 lime and 1 kg ha-1 B application; lime and B interaction was not significant Application of B @ 1 kg ha-1 increased seed yield by 18.6%, while lime application @ 5 t ha-1. Increased yield by 36%.The positive effect of lime and B application on soybean yield was mediated through improved growth and pod formation in the crop.