Enhancing chemical properties and maize yield through dolomite application on rock phosphate-amended oxisol

Abstract

Improving soil quality is vital so plants can adapt to climate change. Indonesia's acid soils cover about 147.5 million hectares, and are generally acidic, with low levels of calcium and magnesium, and high levels of aluminum. This study aims to study the effect of dolomite application on acid upland soils that have been applied with rock phosphate to improve soil chemical properties and increase maize yields. The research was conducted in Jati Agung using a randomized block design with 5 treatments and 5 replications. The treatment consisted of 5 application levels of dolomite: 0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 kg ha-1. The size of the experimental plot was 10 m x 10 m. Hybrid maize varieties were used as indicators. The results showed that applying dolomite increased soil pH, Ca, Mg, and K levels and decreased exchangeable and Al saturation. It also increases plant height, maize yield, and biomass. The implication of this study is that the application of dolomite 1000 kg ha-1 after rock phosphate is applied can improve soil chemical properties in acid soils.