Efficacy of Furrow-Applied Dolomitic Limestone on Maize Production on an Acid Inceptisol of Sikkim

A field experiment was conducted on an acid Typic Dystrochrept of Sikkim to compare the efficacy of dolomitic limestone when broadcast once in three years and in furrows every year. The yield of maize grain was comparable when 2 Mg ha⁻¹ limestone was broadcast once in three years and 250 kg ha⁻¹ applied every year in furrows. The lower dose in furrows could decrease slowly the exchangeable acidity and Al³⁺ and increase soil pH and exchangeable Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺, whereas the higher dose (broadcast) showed the reverse trend with passage of time. Limestone application improved the Ca and Mg nutrition of plant. The furrow application suits social, economical and topographical conditions of Sikkim where farmers had to carry inputs manually for a distance to the field because of the undulating terrain.