Chemical Control of Soil Environment by Lime and Nutrients to Improve the Productivity of Acidic Alluvial Soils under Rice-Wheat Cropping System in Bangladesh

• Published in: Environment control in biology Vol. 43; no. 4; pp. 259 - 266
• Main Authors: RAHMAN, M. Ataur, CHIKUSHI, Jiro, DUXBURY, John M., MEISNER, Craig A., LAUEN, Julie G., YASUNAGA, Eriko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Agricultural, Biological and Environmental Engineers and Scientists 2005
• Subjects: grain yield of rice and wheat; liming; nutrient availability; soil pH
• ISSN: 1880-554X; 1883-0986
• DOI: 10.2525/ecb.43.259

The productivity of rice-wheat cropping has declined in acidic alluvial soils widespread in Bangladesh. Field experiments were conducted for three years at two locations to investigate the effects of 3 levels of lime (0, 1.2 and 2.4 t ha-1) and six combinations of fertilizer treatments on soil pH, nutrient availability, and yields of rice and wheat. Soil pH, available P, exchangeable Ca, and hot-water-extractable B were increased by liming. The levels of Fe and Al content in soil were significantly decreased with lime levels whereas the level of Zn was not affected by lime levels. Boron availability enhanced by liming could have significant effect in preventing spikesterility and thereby increased the yield of wheat. The yield response of crops revealed that combination of full dose of liming (2.4 t ha-1) with N, P, K and S applications at the rates of 100, 40, 40 and 20 kg ha-1 in both the crops and 5 kg ha-1 of Zn only in rice are preferable to obtain higher yield in acidic alluvial soil. Mg and B were not required to apply as fertilizer at least for 3 years in such a soil treated with full dose of lime.