Influence of lime and gypsum application on soil properties and yield of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz.) in a degraded Ultisol in Agbani, Enugu Southeastern Nigeria

• Published in: Soil & tillage research 2016-05, Vol.158, p.32-38
• Main Authors: Anikwe, M.A.N., Eze, J.C., Ibudialo, A.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cassava yield; Degraded Ultisols; Gypsum; Lime; Manihot esculenta; Soil properties
• ISSN: 0167-1987; 1879-3444
• DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2015.10.011

•Degraded Ultisols are characterized by low fertility and high acidity.•Poor soil quality is an attribute of long term effect of natural and man-made factors.•Lime and gypsum were used to ameliorate soil quality for crop production.•Soil physical quality control soil functions with reference to crop production.•Crops respond to changes in edaphic conditions in their growth environment. The experiment was carried out to examine the influence of lime and gypsum on soil physicochemical properties in a degraded Typic paleusult during 2013 and 2014 rainy season in Agbani, Enugu Southeastern Nigeria (6°29′N and 7°54′E). A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using lime and gypsum as treatments at the rate of 5000kgha−1 lime, 2500kgha−1 gypsum, 5000kgha−1 lime+2500kgha−1 gypsum and a control without lime and gypsum treatments, replicated five (5) times using cassava (TMS 0304) as test crop was used for the experiment. Soil pH in plots amended with 5000kgha−1 lime (5.7 and 5.4) increased relative to the control by between 16 and 17% for both planting seasons. Soils amended with 2500kgha−1 of gypsum had lower pH relative to plots amended with 5000kgha−1 lime. However, Soil application of a combination of 5000kgha−1 of lime and 2500kgha−1 of gypsum increased soil pH by 19–20% when compared to the control for both seasons. Soil application of a combination of 5000kgha−1 of lime and 2500kgha−1 of gypsum increased soil exchangeable Ca2+ by 57% when compared to the control for both seasons. Soil percent base saturation was significantly improved from 72.8% to 93.0% relative to control when 5000kgha−1 lime+2500kgha−1 gypsum was applied to the soil. Results showed that at 90 DAP in both seasons, soil dry bulk density in plots amended with 5000kgha−1 lime (1.58 and 1.62Mgm−3) decreased relative to the control by between 5 and 7% for both planting seasons. Soil application of a combination of 5000kgha−1 of lime and 2500kgha−1 of gypsum reduced soil dry bulk density by about 17% when compared to the control for both seasons. The highest soil total porosity (46.4%) was found in plots with a combination of lime and gypsum at 5000kgha−1 and 2500kgha−1 respectively. The result also showed that soil water transmissivity improved from about 31.85cm3h−1 in the control plots to 37.60cm3h−1 in plots treated with 2500kgha−1 gypsum and up to 35.7cm3h−1 in treated with 5000kgha−1 lime then to 41.40cm3h−1 in plots treated with 5000kgha−1 lime+2500kgha−1 gypsum. At 90 DAP the highest m