Potentials of Unconventional Liming Materials in Reducing Soil Acidity

Gregory Effiong and Dennis Edem*

• Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Nigeria

Received: May 28, 2020;   Published: June 12, 2020

*Corresponding author: Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Nigeria

DOI: 10.32474/SJFN.2020.03.000152

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Abstract

The shells of molluscs (oyster- Spondulus spinosus and snail - Achatina achatina), which are known to contain high amounts of calcium carbonate and which are abundant in the state were compared with commercial lime in the management of soils developed on acid sands in Akwa Ibom State. Results showed high neutralizing equivalent value of 65 and 75% for oyster and snail shells, respectively compared to 76% for CaC0₃. Chemical composition of mollusc shells indicated high mean Ca contents of 461.0 ± 28.4 and 441.0 ± 56.6gkg-1 for oyster and snail shells while CaC0₃ contained 541.1 ± 41.7gkg Magnesium contents were higher in oyster (215.2 ± 5.1 gkg-1) than in snail (182.4 ± 17.2gkg^-1) shells and CaC0₃ (91.2 ± 8.7gkg^-1). Iron content was 796mgkg-1 for oyster, 127mgkg^-1 for snail and 292mgkg-1 for CaC0₃. The mollusc shells and CaC0₃, drastically reduced the exchange acidity and increased the soil pH, basic nutrients (Ca and Mg), effective cation exchange capacity and percent base saturation of the studied soil. Mollusc shells compared favorably with CaC0₃ and could serve as alternative liming materials for soil developed on acid sands in Akwa Ibom State.

Keywords: Mollusc shells; Liming equivalence; Acid sands; Chemical composition