Effect of rice-husk ash on exchange acidity, growth and yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea l.) in an acid ultisol

D.O Nottidge, R.B Balogun, N.R Njoku
2009 Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences  
Response of groundnut grown on acidic soil to rice-husk ash applied at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 t ha -1 was studied in two field experiments in 2005 and 2006 at Ishiagu in the derived savanna zone of southeast Nigeria. Treatments were fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated three times. Effects of treatments on some soil fertility and productivity parameters were evaluated. The rice-husk ash used contain 64.00 g kg -1 Ca, 12.20 g kg -1 Mg, 12.50 g kg -1 P, 9.00 g kg -1 K, 2.10 g
more » ... g -1 N, 1.23 g kg -1 organic carbon and had a pH of 10.86. Soil pH increased from initial values of 5.16 to 6.20, while levels of exchangeable acidity correspondingly decreased from initial values of 0.80 to 0.26 cmol kg -1 with 3 t ha -1 applied rice-husk ash. Estimation of linear and quadratic curves respectively for soil pH and exchange acidity show values of r 2 = 0.95 for soil pH and R 2 = 0.98 for exchange acidity. Significant increases (P < 0.01) in soil P, K and Ca status relate significantly (P = 0.05) to patterns of growth and kernel yield of the crop. The 3 t ha -1 rice-husk ash is recommended. No significant yield advantage was observed at 4 t ha -1 .
doi:10.4314/gjass.v8i1.48514 fatcat:gqw2obuv7vbflm6f7yukjjbkom