Abstract
Field trial was conducted at two locations in Akwa Ibom state University Teaching and Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Obio Akpa Campus to determine the effects of local liming materials on soil acidity and yield of chilli pepper. Four treatments consisting of wood ash (WA), palm bunch ash (PBA), oyster shell ash (OYSA) each applied at 0.8 t /ha and a control (no lime applied) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The result showed increased in soil pH from 4.1 before experiment to 6.21 in soils treated with oyster shell ash. Exchangeable acidity, aluminium and hydrogen were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in soils treated with lime materials. Plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, number of fruits and fresh fruit yield of chilli pepper were significantly increased while stem girth and fruit size were not. The highest fresh fruit yield of 16.22 t/ha was obtained from soils treated with wood ash (WA) though not significantly higher than the yield obtained from other treatments but was higher than the control soils. The yield increase was in the order: WA > PBA > OYSA > control. Therefore, for amelioration of soil acidity and enhancing nutrient availability and yield of chilli pepper in an acid Ultisol of Southeast Nigeria, application of wood ash, palm bunch ash and Oyster shell ash is recommended.