Additive effects of lime and phosphorus fertilization on maize yield, nutrient uptake, and soil health in upland acidic soils

Abstract Soil acidity is a critical constraint limiting crop productivity and nutrient availability in upland cropping systems. Acidic soils impede plant growth by reducing nutrient solubility and disrupting key soil processes such as mineralization. This study evaluated the effects of lime and phosphorus (P) fertilization on growth, yield, and nutrient uptake of BARI Hybrid Maize-9 under acidic soil (pHH2O: 4.80) conditions in net house during winter at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh. The present study was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications, testing three levels of dololime (0, 1, and 2 t ha⁻¹) and four levels of P fertilizer (0, 100, 150, and 200% of the recommended dose-60 kg P ha⁻¹). The results showed that 2 t ha⁻¹ dololime and 200% recommended P application significantly enhanced cob length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, 100-grain weight, and grain and stover nutrient contents (N, P, K, and S). The highest grain and stover yields, along with maximum nutrient uptake, were observed with 2 t ha⁻¹ dololime and 200% recommended P dose. Strong positive correlations were found between maize yield and postharvest nutrient concentrations in both grain and stover. The additive effect of lime and P improved soil nutrient availability and P solubility, highlighting that integrated lime and phosphorus management is an effective strategy for sustainable maize production on acidic upland soils.