Effects of Lime and Fertiliser Application in Combination
with Water Management on Rice (Oryza sativa) Cultivated
on an Acid Sulfate Soil
ABSTRACT
Acid sulfate soils are widespread along the coastal plains of the Malay
Peninsula, with some being cultivated with rice. Following farmers’ practice,
rice yields are very low due to low pH and prevailing adverse conditions
such as Al and/or Fe toxicity. A study was conducted in a glasshouse
to determine the effect of lime and fertiliser application in combination
with water management on rice cultivated on an acid sulfate soil, using MR
219 rice variety as the test crop. The soil used was Typic Sulfosaprists. The
results showed that soil pH increased from 4.27 to 4.93 by applying 4 t
GML/ha, thereby reducing Al and/or Fe toxicity. In this treatment, exchangeable
Ca increased from 1.28 to 3.13 cmol
c
/kg soil, which is above
the rice Ca requirement. The increase in exchangeable Ca also reduced Al
toxicity. Fertiliser or fertiliser in combination with lime affected rice production
significantly. Rice yield was negatively correlated with acid-extractable
Fe. Additionally, rice yield increased with increasing pH and Ca.
The best yield of 14.15 t/ha was obtained for treatment with 4 t/ha lime
together with 120 kg N/ha + 16 kg P/ha + 120 kg K/ha. This shows that
liming together with prudent fertiliser management improves rice production
on an acid sulfate soil.