The effectiveness of aglime ameliorant to improve soil pH and maize (Zea mays L.) growth and production in Langkat Regency

Abstract

Tropical climatic conditions accompanied by high rainfall are supporting factors for soil acidification in Indonesia's drylands. One of the conventional management technologies that are most widely used to improve soil acidity is liming. This study observed the effectiveness of various doses of Aglime ameliorant for improving acid soil and its effect on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.). The study was conducted in Pasar VI Kwala Mencirim Village, Sei Bingai District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra from June to October 2020. The experimental design of this study was a non-factorial randomized bock design consisted of 7 treatments of Aglime ameliorant dosage with four replications. The results showed that the application of various doses of Aglime ameliorant was able to increase soil pH, height, and maize production which the highest pH value, height, and production were obtained at Aglime dose of 5 tons Ha-1 (AL 5). The effectiveness of Aglime ameliorant to increase soil pH is reflected in the relative agronomic effectiveness (RAE) which is overall > 95% (101,7 – 274,5%) for the tested Aglime dose of 1 to 5 tons per hectare (AL1-AL5).