Effect of Lime on Soil Properties, N Nutrition and Nutrient Uptake of Maize in Some Nigerian Soils

Incubation and pot experiments were conducted to evaluate changes in soil properties due to liming and to determine the interaction effect of lime and N addition on maize growth and nutrient uptake in some Nigerian soils. Soil CEC, exchangeable Ca²⁺, Olsen P, and available S increased significantly within the first 3 weeks of incubation while the exchangeable Mg²⁺ and K⁺ increased only slightly. Liming to pH 6.0 reduced Al³⁺ saturation to less than 5% and gave maximum nutrient uptake and dry matter yield. For every cmolc kg^-1 of Al³⁺, 1.88g of lime kg^-1 of soil was required to keep the pH and Al³⁺ saturation at optimum levels for efficient nutrient utilization by maize. The interaction between N and lime was positive and significant. However, lime addition had greater influence on P and S uptake than on N addition while N addition had greater influence on N and K uptake of maize.