Yield, Nutrient Uptake, and Soil Chemical Properties as Influenced by Liming and Boron Application in Common Bean in a No‐Tillage System

In Oxisols, acidity is the principal limiting factor for crop production. In recent years, because of intensive cropping on these soils, deficiency of micronutrients is increasing. A field experiment was conducted on an Oxisol during three consecutive years to assess the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under a no‐tillage system to varying rates of lime (0, 12, and 24 Mg ha−1) and boron (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 kg ha−1) application. Both time and boron (B) were applied as broadcast and incorporated into the soil at the beginning of the study. Changes in selected soil chemical properties in the soil profile (0- to 10‐ and 10- to 20‐cm depths) with liming were also determined. During all three years, gain yields increased significantly with the application of lime. However, B application significantly increased common bean yield in only the first crop. Only lime application significantly affected the soil chemical properties [pH; calcium (Ca2+); magnesium (Mg2+); hydrogen (H+)+ aluminum (Al3+); base saturation; acidity saturation; cation exchange capacity (CEC); percent saturation of Ca2+, Mg2+, and potassium (K+); and ratios of exchangeable Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K] at both soil depths (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). A positive significant association was observed between grain yield and soil chemical properties. Averaged across two depths and three crops, common bean produced maximum grain yield at soil pHw of 6.7, exchangeable (cmolc kg−1) of Ca2+ 4.9, Mg2+ 2.2, H++Al3+ 2.6, acidity saturation of 27.6%, CEC of 4.1 cmolc kg−1, base saturation of 72%, Ca saturation of 53.2%, Mg saturation of 17.6%, K saturation of 2.7%, Ca/Mg ratio of 2.8, Ca/K ratio of 25.7, and Mg/K ratio of 8.6. Soil organic matter did not change significantly with addition of lime.