Effect of Liming on Soil pH, Nutrient Availability, Growth and Yield of Wheat in Acidic Soils of Tista Floodplain in Bangladesh

Abstract

Lime is crucial for improving soil pH, enhancing nutrient availability, and promoting healthier plant growth in acidic soils. The objectives of the study were to identify the effects of liming on wheat on nutrients status of soil before and after harvest. Over three years (2018-2021), six experiments were conducted in various locations across Bangladesh, including Kishoreganj, Gangachara, Kurigram, and Rangpur districts, to assess the effects of liming on wheat productivity. Each year featured two experimental setups to evaluate soil and crop responses in different regions. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment was conducted during the rabi season in the Tista Floodplain (AEZ-3). The application of various lime doses had a significantly positive impact on plant height, total number of tillers per hill, branches per plant, spike length, number of filled grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, and overall grain yield of wheat. Notably, a lime application of 1.0 tha⁻¹ resulted in the highest grain yield. The contents and uptake of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) were also significantly affected by the different treatments. Liming effectively helps reclaim acidic soils in the Tista Floodplain. Therefore, for acidic soils, the use of lime is recommended to enhance yield, yield-contributing traits, and nutrient availability.