IMPACTS OF LIMING BY DOLOMITE ON THE MAIZE AND BARLEY GRAIN YIELDS

In a five year experiment the effect of liming on maize and spring barley grain yields and maize nutrient status were examined. The field trial with application of increasing rates of dolomite (0, 5, 10 and 15 t ha-1) containing 56% CaO and 40% MgO was conducted on the very acid soil with pH (KCl) 3.78 on the location in the central Croatia (45°30’ N, 17°11’ E). Maize crops were grown during 2003-2005 and 2007, whereas spring barley was grown in 2006. Soil chemical properties and maize leaf nutrient concentrations were evaluated after the second year of trial. Liming raised the soil pH by 2.62 pH units and AL-P2O5 by 5.65 mg 100 g-1 and increased crops yield in all years. There were no statistically confirmed differences between treatments with 10 and 15 t ha-1 dolomite for maize yields, while barley grain yield significantly increased only at the highest dolomite rate. Liming also improved maize nutritional status and increased P, Ca, Mg and Mo concentration and decreased high Mn content to the adequate range