000			03178nab|a22003857a|4500
001			69817
003			MX-TxCIM
005			20260123150930.0
008			26012122025||| ||p|op||||00||0|eengdd
022			_a2693-5015 (Online)
024			_ahttps://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7456620/v1
040			_aMX-TxCIM
041			_aeng
100	1		_aDereje, G. _941124
245	1	0	_aSoil amendments and phosphorus fertilizer increase maize productivity and improve the fertility of acidic soils in Southwestern Ethiopia
260			_aUnited States of America : _bResearch Square, _c2025.
500			_aOpen Access
500			_aPreprint
520			_aSoil acidity is a major constraint to crop production in tropical regions, primarily due to aluminum toxicity and reduced nutrient availability. This challenge is widespread in the highlands of Southwestern Oromia, Ethiopia, where maize is a staple and cash crop. This study evaluated the effects of soil amendments and phosphorus (P) fertilization on post-harvest soil properties, maize physiology, and grain yield during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons across 14 farmers’ fields in Kersa, Bedele, and Mettu districts. A split-plot design was used with farms as replicates, testing four soil amendments (control, calcitic lime, biochar, vermicompost) and four P rates (0, 15, 30, and 45 kg P ha⁻¹). Calcitic lime and vermicompost markedly improved soil fertility, enhanced maize physiological performance, and increased yields, whereas biochar was less effective. Lime was most effective in raising soil pH, lowering acidity saturation, and increasing P availability, resulting in 38–78% yield gains over the control. Vermicompost also achieved substantial gains (41–66%). Although P fertilization consistently increased yield, its efficiency declined under high acidity saturation. Findings indicate that P response is strongly constrained by soil acidity, and effective management in clay-rich acidic soils requires prior or concurrent soil acidity correction. Integrated strategies combining lime or vermicompost with P fertilization significantly enhanced nutrient availability, maize growth, and productivity. These results highlight the importance of site-specific soil fertility management tailored to acidity levels for improving maize yields in acidic tropical soils.
546			_aText in English
597			_dBill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) _fSustainable Farming _uhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/180568
650		7	_aLime (amendment) _2AGROVOC _917749
650		7	_aVermicomposts _2AGROVOC _917750
650		7	_aBiochar _2AGROVOC _939260
650		7	_aSoil pH _2AGROVOC _910583
650		7	_aTropical soils _2AGROVOC _910728
651		7	_aEthiopia _2AGROVOC _92025
700	1		_aWogi, L. _941126
700	0		_aTemesgen Desalegn _938566
700	0		_aSida, T.S. _8001711262 _gSustainable Agrifood Systems _95724
700	1		_aSilva, J.V. _8001712458 _gSustainable Agrifood Systems _99320
773	0		_tResearch Square _dUSA : Research Square, 2025. _x2693-5015 _gPreprint
856	4		_uhttps://hdl.handle.net/10883/36809 _yOpen Access through DSpace
942			_cJA _n0 _2ddc
999			_c69817 _d69809