| Peer-Reviewed

Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands

Received: 16 October 2015     Accepted: 24 October 2015     Published: 7 December 2015
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of the lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield is limiting. A green house pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effects of lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield in acid soils of the Kenya highlands. Extremely acidic (pH 4.48) and strongly acidic (pH 4.59) soils were used for the study. Four lime (CaO) rates and phosphorus (Ca (H2PO4)2 rates were used. The liming rates were: 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic soil and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for the strongly acidic soil. Phosphorus applications rates were: 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.59 mg P kg-1 soil for the extremely acidic soil and 0, 0.13, 0.26, and 0.51 mg P kg-1 for strongly acidic soil. The experiments were a 42 factorial laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: plant height, number of leaves, P-uptake and maize dry matter yield. Lime-Al-P interaction significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased P concentrations in maize tissues, maize height, dry matter yields. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 in strongly acidic soils significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased maize height compared to lower lime rates. Phosphorus uptake and dry matter yields did not however, vary when 7.4 tonnes ha-1 lime was combined with either 0.59 mg P kg-1 or 0.3 mg P kg-1 in extremely acidic soils, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 was combined with either 0.51 mg P kg-1 or 0.26 mg P kg-1 in strongly acidic soils. It was, therefore, concluded that lime and P positively interact to reduce Aluminium toxicity in the soils and improve maize growth, P uptake and yields in acid soils in the Kenya highlands. However, further research is required to evaluate long term effects of the interactions on crop yields, uptake of plant nutrients under field conditions.

Published in American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11
Page(s) 244-252
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Lime, Phosphorus, Aluminium, Acid Soils, Maize Yields, P-uptake

References
[1] Fageria, N. K. (1994). Soil acidity affects availability of nitrogen, phosphorns, and potassium. Better Crops International. 10:8-9.
[2] Brady, C. N. and Weil, R. R. (2008). The Nature and Properties of Soils, 14th Ed; Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 975pp.
[3] Parfitt RL (1978) Anion adsorption by soils and soil minerals. Advances in Agronomy 20: 323–359
[4] Luengo, C., Brigante, M., Antelo, J., Avena, M. (2006). Kinetics of phosphate adsorption on goethite: comparing batch adsorption and ATR-IR measurements. Journal of Colloidal Interface Sciences 300: 511–518
[5] Arai, Y. and Sparks, D.L. (2007) Phosphate reaction dynamics in soils and soil minerals: a multiscale approach. Advances in Agronomy 94: 135–179
[6] Foy, C.D. (1988). Plant adaptation to acid, aluminium-toxic soils. Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 19: 959–987.
[7] Kochian, L.V. (1995). Cellular mechanisms of aluminium toxicity and resistance in plants. Annual Review of Plant Physiology and Plant Moleculer Biology 46:237–260.
[8] Haynes, R. J. (1982). Effects of liming on phosphate availability in acid soils. Plant and Soil 68(3):289-308.
[9] Kanyanjua, S. M., Ireri, L., Wambua, S., Nandwa, S. M. (2002). Acid soils in Kenya: Constraints and remedial options. KARI Technical Note, 11:24.
[10] The, C., Calba, H., Zonkeng, C., Ngonkeu, E.L.M., Adetimirin, V.O. (2006). Response of maize grain yield to changes in acid soil characteristics after soil amendment. Plant and Soil 284:45-57.
[11] Fageria KF, Baligar VC, Jones CA. (2010). Growth and mineral nutrition of field crops. 3rd Edition. CRC Press. New York. London. 586Pp.
[12] Haynes, R. J. and Naidu, R. (1998). Influence of lime, fertilizer and manure applications on soil organic matter content and soil physical conditions: a review. Nutrient Cycling in Agro ecosystems 51:123-137.
[13] Bolan, N.S., Adriano, D.C., Curtin, D. (2003). Soil acidification and liming interactions with nutrient and heavy metal transformation and bioavailability. Advances in Agronomy 78: 215-272
[14] Roborage, W.P., and Corey, R.B. (1979). Adsorption of phosphate by hydroxyl aluminium species on a cation exchange resin. Soil Science Society of America Journal 43:481-487.
[15] Sims, J.T. and Ellis, B.G. (1983). Changes in phosphorus adsorption associated with aging of aluminum hydroxide suspensions. Soil Science Society of America Journal 47: 912-916.
[16] Kamprath, E.J. (1970). Exchangeable aluminum as a criterion for liming leached mineral soils. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 34: 252-254.
[17] Sanchez, P.A. and Uechara, G. (1980). Management considerations for acid soils with high phosphorus fixation capacity. In: The role of phosphorus in Agriculture. (Edited by Khasawneh, F. E., Sample, E. C., Kamprath, E. J.) American Society for Agronomy, Wisconsin. pp.471-514.
[18] Kisinyo, P.O., Opala, P.A., Gudu, S.O., Othieno, C.O., Okalebo, J.R., Palapala, V., Otinga, A.N. (2014a). Recent advances towards understanding and managing Kenyan acid soils for improved crop production. African Journal of Agricultural Research 9(31):2397-2408.
[19] Maier, N.A., McLaughlin, M.J., Heap, M., Butt, M., Smart, M.K. (2002). Effects of current- season application of calcite lime and phosphorus fertilization on soil pH, potato growth, yield, drymatter content, and cadmium concentration. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 33(13-14): 2145-2165.
[20] Sumner, M.E. (1979). Interpretation of foliar analyses for diagnostic purposes. Agronomy Journal 71:343-348.
[21] Obura, P. A. (2008). Effects of soil properties on bioavailability of aluminium and phosphorus in selected Kenyan and Brazilian soils. Ph. D Thesis, Purdue University, USA. pp. 1-57.
[22] Kisinyo, P.O., Gudu, S.O., Othieno, C.O., Okalebo, J. R., Opala, P.A., Maghanga, J.K., Agalo, J.J., Ngetich, W.K., Kisinyo, J.A., Osiyo, R.J., Nekesa, A.O., Makatiani, E.T., Odee, D.W., Ogola, B.O. (2012). Effects of lime, phosphorus and rhizobia on Sesbania sesban performance in a Western Kenyan acid soil. African Journal of Agricultural Research 7(18):2800-2809.
[23] Muindi, E.M., Mrema J.P., Semu E., Mtakwa P.W., Gachene C.K., Njogu M.K. (2015). Phosphorus adsorption and its relation with soil properties in acid soils of Western Kenya. International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, 4(3):203-211.
[24] Nekesa, A.O. (2007). Effects of Mijingu phosphate rock and agricultural lime in relation to maize, groundnut and soybean yield on acid soils of western Kenya. M.Phil. Thesis. Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. pp. 1-64.
[25] Kisinyo P.O., Othieno C.O., Gudu S.O., Okalebo, J.R., Opala, P.A., Ng’etich, W.K., Nyambati, R.O., Ouma, E.O., Agalo, J. J., Kebeney, S.J., Too, E.J., Kisinyo. J.A., Opile, W.R. (2014b). Immediate and residual effects of lime and phosphorus fertilizer on soil acidity and maize production in Western Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 50(1):128-143.
[26] Okalebo, J.R., Gathua, K.W., Woomer, P.L. (2002). Laboratory methods of soil analysis: A working manual (2nd ed.). TSBR-CIAT and SACRED Africa, Nairobi, Kenya. 88pp.
[27] Mechlich, A.A., Pinkerton, R. W., Kempton, R. (1962). Mass analysis methods for soil fertility evaluation. Ministry of Agriculture, Nairobi. pp.1-29.
[28] Fox, R.L. and Kamprath, E.G. (1970). Phosphate sorption isotherms for evaluating the phosphate requirements of soils. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 34: 902-907.
[29] Cochrane, T. T., Salinas, J. G., Sanchez, P. A. (1980). An equation for liming acid mineral soils to compensate crop aluminium tolerance. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 57: 33-40.
[30] GenStat. (2010). The GenStat Teaching Edition. GenStat Release 7.22 TE, Copyright 2008, VSN International Ltd.
[31] Landon, J.R. (1984). Booker tropical soil manual: A handbook for soil survey and agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and sub tropics. Longman, New York. 450pp.
[32] Landon, J. R. (1991). Booker Tropical Soils Manual: A Handbook for Soil Survey and Agricultural Land Evaluation in the Tropics and Subtropics. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 465pp.
[33] Buresh, R. J., Smithson, P. C., Hellums, D. T. (1997). Building soil phosphorus capital in Africa. In: Replenishing soil fertility in Africa. (Edited by Buresh, P. J. et al.) Soil Science Society of America Special Publication, Madison. pp. 111-149
[34] Sanchez, P.A., Shephard, K.D., Soule, M.J., Place, F.M., Buresh, R.J., Izac, A.N., Mokwunye, A.U., Kwesiga, F.R., Ndiritu, C.G., and Woomer, P.L. (1997). Soil fertility replenishment in Africa: An investment in natural resource capital. In: Replenishing soil fertility in Africa, SSSA Special Publication (Edited by Buresh, R.J., Sanchez, P.A., Calhoun, F.) SSSA, Madison. pp. 1-46.
[35] Van Straaten, P. (2002). Rocks for crops: Agro minerals for sub-Saharan Africa. ICRAF, Nairobi. pp. 25-28.
[36] Sombroek, W. G., Braun, H. M. H., van de Pouw. (1982). Exploratory soil map and agro-climatic zone map of Kenya. Scale 1:1000, 000. Exploratory soil survey report No. E1. Kenya Soil Survey, Nairobi. pp. 1-78.
[37] Stol R.J., Van Helden A.K., de Bruyn P.L. (1976) Hydrolysis precipitation studies of aluminium (III) solutions. 2. A kinetic study and model. Journal of Colloid Interface Sci ence57: 115–131
[38] Xie, P., Niu, J., Gan, Y., Gao, Y., Li, A. (2015). Optimizing phosphorus fertilization promotes dry matter accumulation and P remobilization in oilseed flax. Crop Science 54(4):1729-1736.
[39] Gudu, S. O., Kisinyo, P. O., Makatiani, E. T., Odee, D.W., Esegu, J. F. O., Chamshama, S. A. O., Othieno, C. O., Okalebo, J. R., Osiyo, R. J. and Owuoche, J.O. (2009). Screening of Sesbania for tolerance to aluminum toxicity and symbiotic effectiveness with acid tolerant rhizobia strains in Western Kenya acid soils. Experimental Agriculture 45:417-427.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Esther Mwende Muindi, Jerome Mrema, Ernest Semu, Peter Mtakwa, Charles Gachene. (2015). Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry, 3(6), 244-252. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Esther Mwende Muindi; Jerome Mrema; Ernest Semu; Peter Mtakwa; Charles Gachene. Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands. Am. J. Agric. For. 2015, 3(6), 244-252. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Esther Mwende Muindi, Jerome Mrema, Ernest Semu, Peter Mtakwa, Charles Gachene. Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands. Am J Agric For. 2015;3(6):244-252. doi: 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11,
      author = {Esther Mwende Muindi and Jerome Mrema and Ernest Semu and Peter Mtakwa and Charles Gachene},
      title = {Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands},
      journal = {American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry},
      volume = {3},
      number = {6},
      pages = {244-252},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajaf.20150306.11},
      abstract = {Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of the lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield is limiting. A green house pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effects of lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield in acid soils of the Kenya highlands. Extremely acidic (pH 4.48) and strongly acidic (pH 4.59) soils were used for the study. Four lime (CaO) rates and phosphorus (Ca (H2PO4)2 rates were used. The liming rates were: 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic soil and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for the strongly acidic soil. Phosphorus applications rates were: 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.59 mg P kg-1 soil for the extremely acidic soil and 0, 0.13, 0.26, and 0.51 mg P kg-1 for strongly acidic soil. The experiments were a 42 factorial laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: plant height, number of leaves, P-uptake and maize dry matter yield. Lime-Al-P interaction significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased P concentrations in maize tissues, maize height, dry matter yields. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 in strongly acidic soils significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased maize height compared to lower lime rates. Phosphorus uptake and dry matter yields did not however, vary when 7.4 tonnes ha-1 lime was combined with either 0.59 mg P kg-1 or 0.3 mg P kg-1 in extremely acidic soils, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 was combined with either 0.51 mg P kg-1 or 0.26 mg P kg-1 in strongly acidic soils. It was, therefore, concluded that lime and P positively interact to reduce Aluminium toxicity in the soils and improve maize growth, P uptake and yields in acid soils in the Kenya highlands. However, further research is required to evaluate long term effects of the interactions on crop yields, uptake of plant nutrients under field conditions.},
     year = {2015}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Effects of Lime-Aluminium-Phosphate Interactions on Maize Growth and Yields in Acid Soils of the Kenya Highlands
    AU  - Esther Mwende Muindi
    AU  - Jerome Mrema
    AU  - Ernest Semu
    AU  - Peter Mtakwa
    AU  - Charles Gachene
    Y1  - 2015/12/07
    PY  - 2015
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11
    T2  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JF  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    JO  - American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry
    SP  - 244
    EP  - 252
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8591
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaf.20150306.11
    AB  - Soil acidity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are some of the major causes of low maize yields in Kenya. Although considerable work has been done to establish liming rates for acid soils in many parts of the world, information on the effects of the lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield is limiting. A green house pot experiment was conducted at Waruhiu Farmers Training Centre, Githunguri to evaluate the effects of lime-Al-P interactions on maize growth and yield in acid soils of the Kenya highlands. Extremely acidic (pH 4.48) and strongly acidic (pH 4.59) soils were used for the study. Four lime (CaO) rates and phosphorus (Ca (H2PO4)2 rates were used. The liming rates were: 0, 2.2, 5.2 and 7.4 tonnes ha-1 for extremely acidic soil and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 for the strongly acidic soil. Phosphorus applications rates were: 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.59 mg P kg-1 soil for the extremely acidic soil and 0, 0.13, 0.26, and 0.51 mg P kg-1 for strongly acidic soil. The experiments were a 42 factorial laid down in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data collected included: plant height, number of leaves, P-uptake and maize dry matter yield. Lime-Al-P interaction significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased P concentrations in maize tissues, maize height, dry matter yields. Use of 7.4 tonnes ha-1 in extremely acidic soils and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 in strongly acidic soils significantly (P≤ 0.05) increased maize height compared to lower lime rates. Phosphorus uptake and dry matter yields did not however, vary when 7.4 tonnes ha-1 lime was combined with either 0.59 mg P kg-1 or 0.3 mg P kg-1 in extremely acidic soils, and 4.5 tonnes ha-1 was combined with either 0.51 mg P kg-1 or 0.26 mg P kg-1 in strongly acidic soils. It was, therefore, concluded that lime and P positively interact to reduce Aluminium toxicity in the soils and improve maize growth, P uptake and yields in acid soils in the Kenya highlands. However, further research is required to evaluate long term effects of the interactions on crop yields, uptake of plant nutrients under field conditions.
    VL  - 3
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Crop Science, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya

  • Department of Soil Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

  • Department of Soil Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

  • Department of Soil Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

  • Department of Land Resource Management, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

  • Sections