Ameliorative effects of termite‐mediated soils and lime on soil acidity: Implication for barley ( <i>Hordeum vulgare</i> ) produce

Abstract Crop production is threatened by low soil fertility and soil acidity in high rainfall areas, while escalating lime and fertilizer costs call for alternative local materials. In this regard, the ameliorative effects of termite‐mediated soils (TMS) as a liming material and source of essential plant nutrients should be investigated. Therefore, 2‐month soil incubation and pot trials were performed to evaluate TMS effects on soil acidity properties as well as growth and yield of barley ( Hordeum vulgare ) in comparison to lime‐amended and control soils under greenhouse conditions. Surface soil samples to 30‐cm depth were collected from an acid‐prone area for the setting up of the trial, while TMS was analyzed for lime and nutrient content before application. The experiments were laid out in a completely randomized design with four and three replications for the incubation and pot trials, respectively. Results showed that TMS had an overall effective neutralizing power of 62.7% and fineness index of 89.6%. This reveals TMS raised soil pH as effectively as pure lime in both the incubation and pot trials. The combined application of lime materials at 75% improved soil pH immediately, while the supply at 100% resulted in an immediate pH improvement in the incubation trials, and the effects are long‐lasting. The combined application at 100% improved the chemical properties of soil as well as the growth, yield, and yield components of barley in a pot trial. In conclusion, TMS had the potential to condition soil acidity while supplying essential nutrients. However, further study underlying the acid ameliorative effects of TMS under field conditions is necessary to fully understand its benefits, particularly for early crop establishment.