IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS)

e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 13, Issue 4 Ser. I (April 2020), PP 39-44
www.iosrjournals.org

Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of

Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) Nursery Production

Orji O.A and Zorbaraol, B.

Crop/Soil Sci. Dept., Rivers State University
P. M. B. 5080 Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

Abstract: A screen house experiment conducted in Rivers state university teaching and research farm and
crop/soil science laboratory, to evaluate the effect of different organic lime materials as an amendment for an
acid potting soil for maize (Zea mays) nursery. The lime materials used were egg shell, snail shell, oyster shell,
wood ash. Calcium carbonate was used as a basis for comparison and no lime was used as control for all the
limes. Results showed that all the different lime materials used appreciably raised the soil pH. Application of the
different lime materials showed no significant different among the lime materials but with no lime having the
lowest pH value OF 6.2, when compared to the of value pH of the other treatments. The lime materials
positively affected all the plant parameters measured. Result showed that white maize variety had the highest
percentage germination (89.6%), when compared to the two improved varieties (oba 98 and oba super6);
85.4%, with the yellow local variety having the least % germination of 66.7%. Generally, the combined effect of
the different lime materials and maize varieties, showed significant differences (P< 0.05) among plant
parameters measured; across the four weeks. Results also showed the effect of the liming varied with both the
type of liming materials and the crop variety.
Key words: Lime materials, Amendment, Soil pH, Potting soil.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 03-04-2020 Date of Acceptance: 26-04-2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------

I. Introduction
Potting soil is a weed –free, packaged soil mix that is formulated for maximum result for most plant. It
is also a medium in which to grow plants, herbs pots or otherdurable container. Liming is the application of
mineral calcium and magnesium compounds, mainly carbonates, oxides, hydroxides, or a mixture of them and
more rarely, silicates into acid soils to decrease the concentration of protons (Filipek, 2011). In acid soils, these
materials react as a base and neutralize soil acidity and thereby increase soil pH. The role of liming is to
ameliorate the effect of acidity in soil, thus ensuring that acidity is not the cause of reduced plant
performance(Orji and Onunwa, 2018). This often improves plant growth and increases the activity of soil
bacteria, but over supply may result in harm to plant life. However, liming is not a common practice in the
traditional subsistence farming system due to lack of lime and unavailability of products at critical period. Also,
lime sources of sufficientfineness and purity is major challenge in the country (Effiong, et al,2009). These
commercial limes which can be used in soil amendment are expensive to be purchased by local farmers. There is
therefore need to look for alternative and cheap sources of liming materials which can reduce soil acidity and
bring about increased yield of crops and that are also environmentally friendly.

II. Materials And Methods

This research was carried out in the Screen house of the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers
State university Port Harcourt (4.5oN, 7.0OE) on an elevation of 18m above sea level, with mean annual rainfall
of 3,000mm to 4,500mm and annual temperature of 22oC to29oC.
The treatments consisted of 6 lime materials ( egg shell, snail shell, calcium carbonate, oyster shell,
wood ash and no lime),2 local cultivars (white maize and yellow) and 2 hybrid (oba 98 and oba super 6) of
maize; giving a total of 24 treatments replicated four times and fitted into a completely randomized design. The

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 39 | Page

 Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) ..

liming materials were sundried, ground into powder and applied at the rate of12tonsha -1 to 0.5litres volume of
disposable cups perforated underneath for drainage.A uniform application of poultry manure at the rate of
60kgha-1 was done to all treatment to boast the fertility status of the soil.
Two seeds of maize were sown directly into the cups and thinned to one seedling 1 week after
germination. Weeding was done by hand picking. Watering was done daily to the soil field capacity.
Germination percentages were recordedfrom 3 to 7DAP. Plant height and number of leaveswere
measured weekly for 4 weeks and above ground biomass (fresh and dry weight) at the end of the experiment.
The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Minitab 19.1 software.
Soil sample of the top soil used were collected for analysis before treatment application. The soil was
air-dried, crushed and sieved to pass through 2mm sieve and analyzed for some physico-chemical properties.
Particlesize analysis was done using the hydrometer method and pH in a soil water ratio of 1: 2.5 using pH
meter with a glass electrode. Exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na) were extracted from the soil with 1N
ammonium acetate solution. Na and K were measured with a flame photometer while Mgand Ca by EDTA
titration. Organic carbon was determined by Walkey and Black method, Total nitrogen by micro-kjedahl
method, available P was determined by spectrometer method and exchangeable acidity by titration method. The
lime materials used were analyzed for Ca, Mg, and pH.pH of the lime materials were analyzed in 1:2.5 ratio of
water to lime materials. Ca and Mg content of the soils were extracted with distilled water to obtain the extract,
then used for EDTA titration. Wood ash was determined by dry ashing, extract was used to determined Ca and
Mg by EDTA titration method. Bulk soil sample were collected at the end of the experiment, air-dried, crushed
to pass through a 2mm sieve and analyzed for pHin soil water ratio of 1:2.5 by pH meter using glass electrode.

III. Results And Discussions

Physico-Chemical Properties of the Experimental Materials and Top Soil Used
Some physical and chemical properties are as shown on table 1. The soil is a sandy loam with a pH of 4.43. It is
low in total nitrogen and moderate in percentage organic matter (4.49%).

Chemical Properties of Lime Materials Used

The lime materials used were analyzed for Ca, Mg and pH is as shown on table 2. Egg shell and oyster
shell were higher in calcium content and this is similar to the work done by (Effiong et. al 2009.) that shells are
found to contain high percentage of CaCo 3which is the active agent of lime materials. In this study it is higher in
magnesium content as compared to calcium; this may be due to the age of the snail shell. The pH of the lime
materials ranges from moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline (8.4-10.3) which signifies that they are
effective lime materials and this agrees with the work done by (Kingori 2011) that shells contain calcium that
raises or neutralized the pH level of overly acidic soil.

Table 4.1: Chemical Properties of Experimental Soil

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 40 | Page

 Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) ..

Table 4.2: Chemical Properties of Lime Materials

Liming Materials Ca2+ Mg2+ pH
(cmol/kg) (cmol/kg) (H20 1:2.5)
Eggshell 1.2 1.0 8.8
Snail shell 0.6 0.8 8.4
Oyster shell 1.8 0.2 8.6
Wood ash 7.0 19.8 10.3

Soil pH asAffected by Liming Materials

The effect of pH as affected by liming materials is shown on fig.1.The application of the different
liming materials increased the soil pH as compared to control at the end of the experiment. Wood ash increase
the soil pH to 6.5 as compared to control and this result agrees with the findings of (Iren et. al,2016) that ash
materials contain exchangeable cations, which are known to increase pH. And also, to the work done by Olivia,
2018 that wood ash is more soluble and reactive than ground limestone and brings about a change in soil pH
more than lime. Snail shell also increase the soil pH to 6.5 followed by oyster shell and calcium carbonate with
pH value of 6.4, followed by eggshell by eggshell which also increased the soil pH value to 6.3 and control with
least pH value. This result is in accordance with the findings of (Peter, 2017) that lime significantly increased
soil pH.

8
7
6
5
pH

4
pH- BEFORE
3
2 pH- AFTER
1
0
EGG SHELL

OYSTER SHELL
SNAIL SHELL

WOOD ASH
NO LIME

CALCIUM CARBONATE

Fig. 1: Effect of Liming Materials on pH

Effect of The Different Lime Materials on the Performance of Maize

Generally, liming negatively affectedmaize seed germination (Fig. 2). However, the various liming
materials affected the various maize varieties differently. The germination of the local maize varieties were
more depressed in germination by calcium carbonate (white corn-50% and yellow corn-38%). The germination
of the oba 98 and oba super 6 were significantly reduced by snail shell and wood ash, respectively.

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 41 | Page

 Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) ..

120

100
Eggshell
% Germination

80
Snail shell
60 Calcium
carbonate
40 Oyster
shell
20 Wood ash

No lime
0
Oba 98 oba super 6 white corn yellow corn

Fig.2: Effect of Lime Materials on the Percentage Germination of Maize

The effects of the liming materials on the Plant height and number of leaves of the various maize
varieties is as shown on tables 3 and 4.At the 4th week, there were significant differences among the treatments
for the two parameters, when compared to no lime treatment. Plant height ranged between 54.4cm for yellow
corn and 88.9cm for oba 98. The trend was the same for number of leaves, ranging between 5.8 for yellow corn
and 9.0 for oba 98 and white corn. This suggests that the hybrid varieties responded better to liming when
compared to the local varieties; especially the yellow corn. This is similar to the findings of Yuan, et al,. (2018).

Table 3: Effect of Lime Material on the Plant Height of the various varieties of maize
Treatment Plant Height (cm)
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4
Eggshell + white corn 26.1a 53.1a 64.7a 77.3b
Eggshell + Oba super 6 17.9b 40.0b 51.3b 67.7c
Eggshell + Oba 98 24.5ab 52.8a 63.3a 80.6a
Eggshell +Yellow corn 23.3ab 48.7b 60.6a 80.2a
Snail shell + white corn 22.2ab 48.0b 60.6a 75.3b
Snail shell + Oba super 6 23.4ab 44.5b 57.0b 66.2c
Snail shell + Oba 98 25.1ab 48.4b 56.1b 75.7b
Snail shell + Yellow corn 21.2ab 44.7b 53.7b 75.8b
Calcium carbonate + white corn 24.6ab 58.3a 68.6a 83.9a
Calcium carbonate + Oba super 6 23.3ab 52.2a 64.0a 83.9a
Calcium carbonate + Oba 98 21.6ab 48.2a 60.3a 77.0b
Calcium carbonate + Yellow corn 16.8b 34.9c 44.0c 50.7d
Oyster shell + white corn 25.3a 52.7a 64.0a 79.3ab
Oyster shell + Oba super 6 17.9b 37.9c 46.9c 61.3c
Oyster shell + Oba 98 23.2ab 54.9a 63.6a 75.2b
Oyster shell + Yellow corn 11.7b 37.8c 47.5c 61.5c
Wood ash + White corn 23.8ab 46.2b 59.7b 74.5b
Wood ash + Oba super 6 21.6ab 45.0b 59.4b 75.3b
Wood ash + Oba 98 21.1ab 60.3a 63.7a 88.9a
Wood ash + Yellow corn 10.9c 30.9c 40.7c 54.4d
No lime + White corn 21.0ab 46.7b 58.7b 73.0a
No lime + Oba super 6 22.7ab 51.5a 61.6a 77.4b
No lime + Oba 98 23.5ab 48.1b 59.1b 76.2b
No lime + Yellow corn 15.4b 36.7c 48.2c 60.9c
Means that do not share the same letter are significantly different at P <0.05

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 42 | Page

 Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) ..

Table 4: Effect of Lime Material on the number of leaves of the various varieties of maize
Treatment Number of Leaves
Week 1Week 2Week 3Week 4
Eggshell + white corn 3.0a 5.0a 6.8ab 8.3a
Eggshell + Oba 98 3.0a 5.0a 6.5ab 8.5a
Eggshell + Oba super 6 3.0a 4.8a 6.3ab 8.3a
Eggshell +Yellow corn 3.0a 5.0a 7.0a 8.0a
Snail shell + white corn 3.0a 5.0a 7.0a 9.0a
Snail shell + Oba 98 3.0a 5.0a 6.7ab 8.7a
Snail shell + Oba super 6 2.8a 4.8a 6.5ab 8.0a
Snail shell + Yellow corn 2.3 3.0a 6.0ab 5.3c
Calcium carbonate + white corn 3.0a 5.0a 7.0a 9.0a
Calcium carbonate + Oba 98 3.0a 5.0a 6.8ab 8.5a
Calcium carbonate + Oba super 6 3.0a 5.3a 6.8ab 8.8a
Calcium carbonate + Yellow corn 2.5a 3.8a 4.5c 5.8c
Oyster shell + white corn 3.0a 5.0a 7.3a 9.0a
Oyster shell + Oba 98 3.0a 5.0a 6.3ab 8.3a
Oyster shell + Oba super 6 2.8a 4.5a 5.8ab 7.3b
Oyster shell + Yellow corn 2.0a 5.0a 6.0ab 8.3a
Wood ash + White corn 3.3a 5.0a 7.0a 9.0a
Wood ash + Oba 98 3.0a 5.0a 7.0a 9.0a
Wood ash + Oba super 6 3.0a 5.0a 6.8ab 8.9a
Wood ash + Yellow corn 2.5a 4.3a 5.5b 6.8b
No lime + White corn 3.0a 5.0a 6.8ab 8.5a
No lime + Oba 98 3.0a 4.8a 6.7ab 8.3a
No lime + Oba super 6 3.0a 5.0a 6.8ab 8.5a
No lime + Yellow corn 2.5a 4.5a 6.5ab 8.0a
Means that do not share the same letter are significantly different at P <0.05

IV. Conclusion
These results have shown that local organic sources of lime materials, like snail shell, egg shell, oyster
shell and wood ash are effective in neutralizing acidity in acid soils. This suggests that these can be used in
place of Calcium carbonate, considering their other beneficial effects to soils as organic materials.
They have also been shown to positively enhance crop performance, particularly maize. However,
these effects are both variety and organic lime type specific.

Reference
[1]. Anderson, N.P, Hart, J.M, Sullivan, D.M. Christensen, N.W, Horneck, D.A. and Pirelli, G.J. (2013). Applying lime
to raise Soil pH for crop production. Extension Service Oregun State University 2013: 1-21.
[2]. Beuked, B.J, Mapumulo, T.C, Fyfield, T.P &Jezile, G.G. (2012). Effects of liming and inorganic fertilizer application
on soil properties and maize growth and yield in rural agriculture in the Mbizana area, Eastern Cape province. South
African Journal of Plant and Soil 21(3-4): 127-133.
[3]. Effiong, G.S, Ibia, T.O, Ogban, P.I and Inyang N.D. (2009) Evaluation of locally-sourced liming materials for acid
soils in Akwa-Ibom State, Southeastern Nigeria. American-Eurasian Journal of Agronomy 2(3): 14-151.
[4]. Hossner, L. R. (1996). Dissolution for Total Methods of Soil Analysis Elemental Analysis, Third edition. In Methods
of Soil Analysis Part 3 Chemical Methods SSSA and America Society of Agronomy, Madison WI, 44-64.
[5]. https://www.smart-fertilizer.com>articles.
[6]. Ibitoye, A.A., (2008). Laboratory manual on bases soil analysis (3rd edition). Nigeria; Foldave Nigeria Limited,
Akure, Ondo State.
[7]. Iren, O. B, Udoh, D. J, Ufot, U. O, Chukwuemeka, J. N, (2016). Influence of local lime materials and organo mineral
fertilizer on fluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis) performance in an ultisol of Southeastern Nigeria.
InternationalJournal of sciences 5.
[8]. King’ori A.M. (2011). A review of the uses of poultry Eggshells and shell membranes. International Journal of
Poultry Science 10(11): 908-912.
[9]. Orji, O. A. and Onunwa, A. O. (2018). Estimating LimeRequirement and Lime Buffering Capacity of Acid

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 43 | Page

 Effect of Diferent Lime Materials as an Amendment on the Ph of Potting Soil for Maize (Zea mays) ..

[10]. Soils of Zaakpon and Kpean, Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State. Delta Agriculturist, 10 (2): 11- 21.
[11]. Peter, A., opala, (20110. Comparative effects of limes and organic materials on selected soil chemical properties and
nutrient uptake by maize in an acid soil. Scholars research library Archives of Applied Science Research, 3(1): 96-
107.
[12]. Roger Lalande, Bernard Gagnon and Isabelle Royer (2019) Impact of natural or industrial liming materials on soil
properties and microbial activity. Canadian Journal of Soil Science 89(2): 209-222.
[13]. Ubi, M.W, Ubi, W. and Godwin MichealUbi (2017). Effect of lime application on soil physiochemical characteristics
and plant nutrient contents of three soybean cultivars (Glycine Mase (L) Merril) in coastal plain sands of Nigeria.
Direct Research Journal vol. 5, 96-106.
[14]. Udo E.J. Ibia, T.O. Ogunwale, J,A.Ano., A.O and Esu I.E (2009). Manual or Soil Plant and Water Analysis
Nigeria.Sibom Book Limited.
[15]. Walkley, A & Black I.A (1934) An Examination of Different methods of Determining soil organic chromic acid
titration method, soil science, 37, 29, 37.
[16]. Yuan, Li. Song Cui. Scott x. Chang. Qingping Zhang (2018). Liming effects on soil pH and Crop yield depend on
lime materials type, application method and rate, and crop species: a global meta-analysis.

DOI: 10.9790/2380-1304013944 www.iosrjournals.org 44 | Page