Effects of Rice Bran Ash in Ameliorating Acidity in the Soils of Southeastern Nigeria under Upland Rice

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the National Cereals Research Institute Amakama to evaluate rice bran ash in ameliorating acidity in highly weathered and leached soils of Southeastern Nigeria. This study investigated the effectiveness of rice bran ash which is a waste product of rice mills in ameliorating acid soils in upland rice.  Treatments included control, 2, 3, and 4 t h^-1 of rice bran ash. The results indicated that there was a significant increase in the soil pH, Ca, Mg and ECEC. However, there was a decrease in exchangeable acidity.  Similarly, there was also a significant increase in plant height, tiller count and grain yield of the upland rice when compared with control. This indicates that rice bran ash material is a potential alternative for the resource poor small scale farmers.