EFFECTS OF LIME ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF CORN IN MAASIN CLAY

Abstract

Lime application did not affect the period from planting to seedling emergence, tasseling, and maturity; number of leaves at tasseling; plant height at maturity; and the number and weight of ears per plant and weight of 1000 grains. However, application of 3.3, 11.6 and 21.3 t dolomite/ha markedly increased stover yield, ear size, total grain yield and shelling percentage of corn. These levels of lime resulted in higher profitability over the control by as much as 209.57, 236.85 and 91.34 percent, respectively.
Application of 11.6 and 21.3 t dolomite/ha improved the chemical properties of the soil by increasing pH, organic matter and phosphorus. These lime rates also decreased the concentration of potassium and acidic ions like aluminum. In contrast, excessive lime application (31.3 t dolomite/ha) lowered the availability of P due to the formation of insoluble compounds. It also significantly reduced the different corn parameters.