Integrated Acid Soil Management for Growth, Nodulation, and Nutrient Uptake of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) in Lay Gayint District, Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidity is one of the forms of soil degradation affecting sustainable crop production adversely in the Ethiopian highlands. In order to contribute to soil acidity amelioration and crop productivity improvement on acid soils, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of lime, mineral P, FYM, compost, and rhizobium on growth, nodulation, and nutrient uptake of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in cultivated acid soil under greenhouse conditions. Twenty treatments were tested in isolations as well as suitable combinations. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that application of 8 t FYM·ha−1 + 30 kg P·ha−1 + 5 t lime·ha−1 produced significantly (P<0.001) higher plant height (58.67 cm), number of branches (13.78) and leaves per plant (37.11), shoot dry weight (5.14 g per plant), tissue N (3.83%) and P (0.219) contents and uptakes, and soil N (0.28%) and P (7.61 mg·Kg−1) after harvest. However, significant increases (P<0.001) in nodule number (153.33) and nodule dry weight (131.33 mg per plant) were obtained due to application of 4 t FYM·ha−1 + 15 kg P·ha−1 + 10 t lime·ha−1. The increased above-ground biomass, and nodulation could be due reducing soil acidity, and the supply of N, P, and other nutrients in FYM through mineralization. Therefore, combined use of lime, FYM, and P fertilizers could improve the growth characteristics, nodulation, and nutrient uptake of faba bean in acid soil of Lay Gayint district. However, the treatments should be tested in the field to verify the greenhouse results.

Extent and distribution of surface soil acidity in the rainfed areas of Ethiopia

“…Predominantly acid-affected southern, northwestern, southwestern, and central parts of Ethiopia (Mosissa, 2018) are characterized by high rainfall (majority above 1400 mm) associated with inherently acidic soils such as Nitisols, Alisols, and Fluvisols (Agegnehu et al, 2019;Kidanemariam, 2013). Locations such as Nedjo, Diga, Gimibi, Bedi (in the west); Chencha, Sodo, Hagerselam, Endibir (in the south), and Awi, Gozamin, and Senan (in the northwest) have been known for problems linked to acidity (Fekadu et al, 2019;Haile & Boke, 2011;MoARD, 2007). The fact that most of these predominantly acidic areas are found in high production zones results in significant losses in production, and the choice of crops is also restricted to acid-tolerant crop species and varieties (Abate et al, 2013(Abate et al, , 2017.…”

Synergistic effect of organic amendments and biostimulants on faba bean grown under sandy soil conditions

“…Gomaa et al (2002) reported positive effects of using certain bioorganic applications on growth and yield of Vicia sativa. In this context, Fekadu et al (2019) and Elnesairi and Elssalem (2020) indicated that the use of organic and inorganic amendments improves faba bean growth. On the other hand, Mahmoud et al (2004) observed that the use of organic manures at rates 4.8-7.1-t ha -1 enhanced faba bean growth.…”