Lime and zinc application influence soil zinc availability, dry matter yield and zinc uptake by maize grown on Alfisols

Abstract. Zinc (Zn) deficiency is widespread in all types of soils of world including acid soils affecting crop production and nutritional quality of edible plant parts. There is, however, limited information available regarding effects of lime and farmyard manure (FYM) addition on soil properties, phyto-available Zn by different extractants, dry matter yield, Zn concentration and uptake by maize (Zea mays L.). Green house pot experiments were carried out in two acid soils to study the effect of five levels of lime (0, 1/10 lime requirement (LR), 1/3 LR, 2/3 LR and LR), three levels of Zn concentration (0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg Zn kg⁻¹ soil) and two levels of FYM (0 and 10 t ha⁻¹) addition on soil pH, EC and OC content, phyto-available Zn in soil and dry matter yield, Zn concentration and uptake by maize plant grown up to 60 days. Application of lime and FYM improved soil pH. Increased level of lime application reduced Zn extracted by DTPA, Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, 0.1 N HCl and ABDTPA extractants. However, application of FYM along with lime improved Zn extraction. The amount of Zn extracted by different extractants followed the order DTPA-Zn < ABDTPA-Zn < Mehlich-1 Zn < 0.1 M HCl. Lime rate of 1/3rd LR was found to be optimum as dry matter yield of maize increased significantly with lime application up to 1/3rd LR in soils of both the series and decreased subsequently. Addition of FYM with and without lime increased dry matter yield. Application of Zn up to 5.0 mg kg⁻¹ to soil increased dry matter yield with and without FYM application in soils of Hariharapur series. Addition of higher doses of lime significantly reduced Zn concentration in maize crop grown in soils of both the series. Mean Zn uptake values were at par for no lime, 1/10th LR and 1/3rd LR with and without FYM application and it was significantly higher than Zn uptake by 2/3rd LR and LR treatments. However, FYM application improved Zn uptake by maize crop. Zn extracted by different extractants like DTPA, ABDTPA, Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3 and 0.1 M HCl was positively and significantly correlated amongst themselves and with dry matter yield, Zn concentration and Zn uptake by maize.