Status of Selected Properties of Soils and the Response of Malt Barley (Hordeum distichum (L.) to Lime and Phosphorus Fertilizer Rates at Chaliya and Jaldu Districts, West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidification and unavailability of phosphorus (P) are among the major problems limiting the productivity of crops in most highlands of Ethiopia. To improve these conditions lime and P fertilizer application is an important strategy. Accordingly, these field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of agro-lime and P fertilizer rates on the yield of malt barley and their influence on soil properties. Experimental treatments comprised four levels of agro-lime (0, 1.1 2.2 and 3.3 t ha-1) and four levels of P2O5 (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) that was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. The results showed that the soils of the two sites were categorized as clay loam in texture and suitable for the production of malt barley. On contrary to this, pre-sowing soil analysis showed very low available phosphorus and acidic soil pH in both sites. The highest values of grain yield of malt barley 4.97 and 4.68 t ha-1 was obtained as a result of the application of 3.3 t ha-1 of lime rate and 90 kg P ha-1 fertilizer at Jeldu and Chaliya, respectively.  Hence, the application of lime at the rate of 3.3 t ha-1 and 90 kg P ha-1 could serve as a reference for better malt barley production for the study areas. Nevertheless, the most generalized recommendation should be suggested after inclusion of economic analysis.