Effect of liming on soil properties, yield and nutrient uptake by wheat

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of liming on chemical properties of wheat field soils and yield of wheat in Ranisankail soil series of Bangladesh. There were eight treatments of liming material applied from dolomite (CaCO3.MgCO3). Yield and yield components of wheat were recorded at harvest and the grain and straw were analyzed for P, S, Ca and Mg contents. The post harvest soils were analyzed for pH, available P, Ca and Mg. The application of different rates of lime to soil progressively increased soil pH and increased availability of P, Ca and Mg in soils. The pH of the post harvest soils was positively correlated with available Ca and Mg status of soils. The grain yields of wheat were positively correlated with soil pH, available P, Ca and Mg contents of post harvest soils. Tiller number plant-1, spikelets spike-1, grains spike-1, grain and straw yields were significantly affected by liming. The treatment T5 (2.0 t lime ha -1) produced grain yield of 4659 kg ha1 which was statistically identical to those found in T6, T7 and T8 treatments but higher to those in T1, T2, T3 & T4 treatments. Liming markedly increased S and Mg concentrations of wheat grain but the concentrations of P and Ca remained unaffected. Total uptake of P, S, Ca and Mg were increased due to application of lime which was mainly associated with increased wheat yields. The findings showed that liming is beneficial for wheat cultivation in the Ranishankail soil series of Dinajpur. The application of 2.0 t lime ha-1 appears to be optimum for desired soil pH for wheat (>pH 6.0), increased availability of nutrients and ultimately increased wheat yield.