Technologies

Lime application to acid soils [Kenya]

Creation: 03/19/2023 8 a.m.
Update: 04/30/2024 6:51 p.m.
Compiler: William Akwanyi
Editors: JUSTINE OTSYULA, Innocent Faith, Noel Templer, Tabitha Nekesa, Ahmadou Gaye, Siagbé Golli
Reviewers: William Critchley, Rima Mekdaschi Studer, Sally Bunning

technologies_6702 - Kenya

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Completeness: 94%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

land user:

Wekesa Maryann Nanjala

Lukina Women Group - Welthungerhilfe farmer group

Kenya

SLM specialist:

JUSTINE OTSYULA

SLM specialist:

Innocent Faith

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Soil protection and rehabilitation for food security (ProSo(i)l)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Alliance Bioversity and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT) - Kenya

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

Comments:

There have been no adverse effects on the environment in the area since lime was applied to the demo site in 2022.

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

Community Resource Persons (CRP) in agricultural extension [Kenya]

Community Resource Persons (CRP) form a farmer-to-farmer learning approach that bridges the gap in agricultural extension, increases farmers' access to agricultural information (SLM knowledge), and increases the adoption of SLM practices.

Compiler: William Akwanyi
03/15/2023 2:31 p.m.

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Lime application is a rapid way to treat soil acidity and improve productivity.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Liming is the application of soil conditioners, including marl, chalk, limestone, burnt lime, or hydrated lime to the soil to raise its pH; thus, reduce its acidity. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)-rich materials are the most used – the Ca or Mg increase the base saturation in the soil hence neutralizing soil acidity that is often caused by the effects of acids from nitrogen (N) fertilizer, slurry, and high rainfall. Liming improves soil fertility by increasing the activity of beneficial earthworms and improving soil structure. It is a source of Ca, and by raising the pH of soils it increases uptake of plant nutrients.

The soil must be tested to determine its pH level. Lime should be applied to soils with pH levels below 5.0, but especially to soils with pH below 4.0 which are very acidic. High concentrations of acids decrease the availability of plant nutrients, especially phosphorous (P) and molybdenum (Mo) and increase the toxic effect of aluminium (Al) and manganese (Mn). In addition, acidity causes some plant nutrients to be leached below the plant rooting zone.

A farmer must wear protective clothing, including face masks, goggles, gumboots, gloves, and an apron before working with lime. The best time to apply agricultural lime to any piece of land is during the dry season. The lime must be covered with soil immediately after application to prevent loss through evaporation, since it is highly volatile. If lime has to be applied during the rainy season, the farmer must apply the lime just before it starts to rain so that the rainwater can leach the lime into the soil. Agricultural lime can be applied in three ways:

a) Broadcasting with a spreader. The land must be ploughed immediately to cover the lime and to prevent loss through evaporation.
b) Band method: Lime is applied between crops if it was not applied before land preparation. The lime must also be covered with soil immediately.
c) Spot method: Lime is applied at the base of the crop (similar to top dressing). Similarly, the lime must also be covered with soil immediately.

Farmers like agricultural lime because it improves soil structure and larger particles are formed in a process called flocculation. In addition, lime binds the larger particles of humus producing a good crumb structure. This improves soil drainage by creating more air spaces. Thus, the soil become easier to cultivate and plant root growth is facilitated. One acre (0.4 ha) of land with a pH of below 4.0 requires 300-350 kgs of lime; a pH of between 4.0 and 5.0, requires 200–250 kgs.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

Media Gallery

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Kenya

Region/ State/ Province:

Bungoma County in Western Kenya

Further specification of location:

Luuya Bwake Ward, Kabuchai Sub-county

Specify the spread of the Technology:

evenly spread over an area

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:

< 0.1 km2 (10 ha)

Is/are the technology site(s) located in a permanently protected area?

Comments:

There are not protected areas in the area where the technology is implemented.

2.6 Date of implementation

Indicate year of implementation:

2022

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Introduced by the ProSoil Project under a Soil Health Programme.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

improve production
reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
preserve/ improve biodiversity
create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

Agro-silvopastoralism

Cropland

Annual cropping
Perennial (non-woody) cropping
Tree and shrub cropping

Annual cropping - Specify crops:

oilseed crops - groundnuts
cereals - maize
cereals - millet
legumes and pulses - lentils
legumes and pulses - beans
root/tuber crops - sweet potatoes, yams, taro/cocoyam, other

Annual cropping system:

Maize/sorghum/millet intercropped with legume

Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:

banana/plantain/abaca
fodder crops - grasses

Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:

avocado
fruits, other
mango, mangosteen, guava
papaya

Number of growing seasons per year:

Specify:

Crops are grown during the long and short rain seasons.

Is intercropping practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify which crops are intercropped:

Maize/ millet and legumes (beans) or groundnuts.

Is crop rotation practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Part of the land is left fallow during the short rains.

Grazing land

Intensive grazing/ fodder production:

Cut-and-carry/ zero grazing
Improved pastures

Animal type:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)
poultry

Is integrated crop-livestock management practiced?

Yes

If yes, specify:

Manure from livestock is applied to the crop field.

Products and services:

economic security, investment prestige
milk
manure as fertilizer/ energy production
eggs
meat

Species:

cattle - dairy and beef (e.g. zebu)

Count:

Species:

poultry

Count:

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

mixed rainfed-irrigated

Comments:

There is drip irrigation using plastic bottle for bananas.

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
A3: Soil surface treatment

management measures

M4: Major change in timing of activities
M7: Others

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Ca: acidification
Cp: soil pollution

physical soil deterioration

Ps: subsidence of organic soils, settling of soil

biological degradation

Bs: quality and species composition/ diversity decline
Bl: loss of soil life

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

A lime spreader

Author:

Justine Otsyula

Date:

09/02/2022

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

A bag of lime

Author:

Justine Otsyula

Date:

09/02/2022

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

per Technology area

Indicate size and area unit:

0.4 ha

other/ national currency (specify):

KES

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

124.21352

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Soil testing	In preparation for liming
2.	Lime acquisition	In preparation for liming
3.	Acquisition of personal protective equipment clothing (PPE)	In preparation for liming
4.	Lime application	Before soil disturbance through ploughing/ before rains
5.	Ploughing/ covering lime	After lime application

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Lime application	Man-days	2.0	300.0	600.0	100.0
Labour	Ploughing/ covering lime	Man-days	15.0	300.0	4500.0	100.0
Equipment	PPE	Set	1.0	3000.0	3000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime	50 kgs bag	20.0	300.0	6000.0	100.0
Other	Soil testing	Sample	1.0	800.0	800.0	100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					14900.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					119.95

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Regular testing	Every 3 years, after 6 months if all required lime was not applied
2.	Lime acquisition	In preparation for liming
3.	Reapplication	Dependent on soil test results
4.	Ploughing/ covering lime	After lime application

Comments:

No maintenance has been done so far.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Lime application	Man- days	2.0	300.0	600.0	100.0
Labour	Ploughing/ covering lime	Man- days	15.0	300.0	4500.0	100.0
Equipment	PPE	Set	1.0	3000.0	3000.0	100.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Lime	50 Kg bags	3.0	300.0	900.0	100.0
Other	Soil testing	Sample	1.0	800.0	800.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					9800.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					78.9

Comments:

No maintenance has been done so far. The indicated costs are for information purposes. Reapplication is dependent on recommendations of soil testing. It is assumed that reapplication will require a smaller amount of lime than the initial application.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Rate of man-days and costs vary from one place to another, farmer to farmer, and with type of work. Costs for maintenance are subject to change with time.

Exchange rate for February 2023, source: European Commission/ InfoEuro online at https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/procedures-guidelines-tenders/information-contractors-and-beneficiaries/exchange-rate-inforeuro_en

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall

< 250 mm
251-500 mm
501-750 mm
751-1,000 mm
1,001-1,500 mm
1,501-2,000 mm
2,001-3,000 mm
3,001-4,000 mm
> 4,000 mm

Specify average annual rainfall (if known), in mm:

1200.00

Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Monthly rainfall variability is high with some months such as January recording less than 5 mm of total rainfall.

Indicate the name of the reference meteorological station considered:

Bungoma Meteorological Station

Agro-climatic zone

humid

The climate in the area favours most agricultural activities.

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:

flat (0-2%)
gentle (3-5%)
moderate (6-10%)
rolling (11-15%)
hilly (16-30%)
steep (31-60%)
very steep (>60%)

Landforms:

plateau/plains
ridges
mountain slopes
hill slopes
footslopes
valley floors

Altitudinal zone:

0-100 m a.s.l.
101-500 m a.s.l.
501-1,000 m a.s.l.
1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
> 4,000 m a.s.l.

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

The farm is located at an area that is higher in altitude compared to other areas in the larger area. The farmer's field lies at an elevation of 1,505 m above sea level.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:

very shallow (0-20 cm)
shallow (21-50 cm)
moderately deep (51-80 cm)
deep (81-120 cm)
very deep (> 120 cm)

Soil texture (topsoil):

medium (loamy, silty)

Soil texture (> 20 cm below surface):

medium (loamy, silty)

Topsoil organic matter:

medium (1-3%)

If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

pH = 5.3, Cation Exchange Capacity = 59 mmol+/kg, nitogen = 9 g/kg, SOC = 14.1 g/kg

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Water quality refers to:

both ground and surface water

Is water salinity a problem?

Is flooding of the area occurring?

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

There are several boreholes in the area and according to interviews with some borehole owners, the depths are not more than 50 metres.

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:

medium

Habitat diversity:

medium

Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Most farms are under crops and trees; hence, the area has high agrobiodiversity.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Sedentary or nomadic:

Sedentary

Market orientation of production system:

mixed (subsistence/ commercial)

Off-farm income:

> 50% of all income

Relative level of wealth:

average

Individuals or groups:

individual/ household
groups/ community

Level of mechanization:

manual work
animal traction

Gender:

women
men

Age of land users:

youth
middle-aged
elderly

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

< 0.5 ha
0.5-1 ha
1-2 ha
2-5 ha
5-15 ha
15-50 ha
50-100 ha
100-500 ha
500-1,000 ha
1,000-10,000 ha
> 10,000 ha

Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?

medium-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

individual, not titled
individual, titled

Land use rights:

individual

Water use rights:

communal (organized)
individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:

poor
moderate
good

education:

poor
moderate
good

technical assistance:

poor
moderate
good

employment (e.g. off-farm):

poor
moderate
good

markets:

poor
moderate
good

energy:

poor
moderate
good

roads and transport:

poor
moderate
good

drinking water and sanitation:

poor
moderate
good

financial services:

poor
moderate
good

Comments:

The above rating varies from one village to the other.

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Comments/ specify:

Not easy for the farmers to quantify but the farmer says that it is easier to work on the soil since lime was applied.

Income and costs

Quantity before SLM:

Quantity after SLM:

Comments/ specify:

Quantity refers to the number of months in a year when there is total lack of food in the house, and the farmer has to buy all the food required in the house.

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced

improved

Quantity before SLM:

Quantity after SLM:

Comments/ specify:

Quantity refers to the estimated percentage of knowledge in SLM/ land management.

Ecological impacts

Soil

acidity

increased

reduced

Quantity before SLM:

5.3

Quantity after SLM:

Not known

Comments/ specify:

The has not done a confirmatory test but it is clear that the pH has reduced due to the improved production.

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

Specify assessment of off-site impacts (measurements):

None noted

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

single cases/ experimental

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

About 30 households

Comments:

Still in demonstration stage.

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Improves crop yields.
Efficiency in use of fertilizers.

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Makes it easier to work on land.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
High cost of PPE.	The farmer should budget for and plan to buy the PPE early before time of application.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Limitation in accessing soil testing facilities/ services.	Create awareness about and link farmers to existing soil testing facilities/ services.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

field visits, field surveys

Visit to demo farms.

interviews with land users

Interview with members of Lukina Women Group. Follow-up questions on phone with the contact person, Maryann Wekesa.

interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

ProSoil team and project implementers from WHH consulted.

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

14/02/2023

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Liming effects on soil pH and crop yield depend on lime material type, application method and rate, and crop species: a global meta-analysis

Available from where? Costs?

Free download at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327188728_Liming_effects_on_soil_pH_and_crop_yield_depend_on_lime_material_type_application_method_and_rate_and_crop_species_a_global_meta-analysis

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Soil Acidity and Liming

URL:

https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/pnm10.pdf

Title/ description:

Bungoma County Integrated Development Plan, 2018-2022

URL:

Free download at https://www.devolution.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bungoma-CIDP-2018-2022.pdf

7.4 General comments

1. Provide a function to be able to link the documented SLM to similar work that has been documented in other databases e.g., LandPortal, etc.
2. Some of the impacts (section 6) cannot be quantified.

Links and modules

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Links

Community Resource Persons (CRP) in agricultural extension [Kenya]

Compiler: William Akwanyi
03/15/2023 2:31 p.m.

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