Resumen
- An experiment was conducted in order to study the effects of some interactions resulting from the addition of organic materials (Cowpea residues and chicken manure) and two levels of lime, (0 and 1500 kg ha −1 dolomite lime) on the grain yield and nutrient acquisition of three maize genotypes with contrasting genetic background. The experiment design was a randomised block with factorial arrangement and four replications. Grain yield increased in treatments that received either 5t ha −1 cowpea, residues 5 t ha −1 chicken manure, or 1500 kg ha −1 dolomite lime. Yield improvement was higher in the Al sensitive variety, (ICA-V 109) than in the Al tolerant variety, (Sikuani-V110). Treatments that received only chicken manure had grain yield slightly higher than treatments with 1500 kg ha −1 of lime. There was a positive effect on grain yield and nutrient acquisition in treatments both, organic materials and dolomite lime. Leaf concentration of N, P, Ca, Mg and K were higher with the incorporation of cowpea residues, chicken manure and lime. The Al tolerant variety Sikuani V-110 had higher leaf concentrations of Al, N, P, Mn and Fe. The results indicated that the varieties which are more efficient in nutrient uptake under aluminum stress had a good chance to grow well in acid soils low in nutrients. Furthermore, the results also confirmed the importance to preserve and/or increase the soil organic matter in agricultural production systems which is particularly recommended for the acid soils of the Eastern Plains of Colombia.