Soil Acidity and Liming Pellet Lime –Finely ground limestone –Glued together into water soluble pellets –Advantage: Handling, spreading, speed of reaction –Disadvantage: Cost mesh

Soil Acidity and Liming Fluid Lime –Finely ground limestone –Suspended in water with clay –Approx lb CCE/ton material –Advantage: Spreading, speed of reaction –Disadvantage: Cost

Less than recommended very fine limestone applied compared to normal liming program pH Reaction Time (years) 3

Less than recommended very fine limestone applied annually but similar rate over time pH Reaction Time (years)

Soil Acidity and Liming Start Change in pH Pellet 500lb/A/yr Pulverized 8000 lb/A Effect of Pellet Lime on Soil pH

Soil Acidity and Liming Calcium and Magesium –Normal liming practices will also supply required calcium and magnesium At normal rates usually adequate Ca will be supplied for most crops Magnesium will depend on the type of limestone used –If Mg is required use a Mg containing limestone (dolomitic) –Mg recommendations »pounds Mg/A »% Mg in recommended limestone

Calcium and Magnesium Management Recommendations –Maintain optimum pH –Maintain at least optimum levels of Mg (60 ppm) and K (100 ppm) –Don’t worry about ratios until they are way out of balance eg. Mg:Ca >1, K:Mg>1 Rare

By-product Liming Materials Quality –Liming value –Undesirable components

Example: Liming Value Material sold in western PA for $2/ton CCE = 5.38% For 1 ton of neutralizing value: 2000 X 100 ÷ 5.38 = 37,174 lbs. or 18.6 tons ($37.20) Fineness: Through 20 Mesh = 98.8% (90%) Through 60 Mesh = 78.2 % (60%) Through 100 Mesh = 63.2% (50%)

Gypsum CaSO 4 Excellent source of Ca and S –33% Ca & 27% S No neutralizing value Not a liming material

Limestone vs Gypsum Limestone changes pH  Gypsum doesn’t Both are good sources of Ca –Lime to recommended pH... no need for additional Ca for the soil or for agronomic crops in PA –High pH but low calcium soils (Sodic Soils) use gypsum as a source of Ca for the soil and the crop (Western US) Improves physical properties  Relieves chemical compaction –Low pH, acid loving crops or highly weathered soils, use gypsum as a source of Ca for the soil and the crop (Tropics) Minimal lime to reduce Al toxicity

Byproduct Materials Undesirable components Should be registered (PDA) Must be approved for land application by DEP –May limit lifetime application Problem with unregistered materials and materials from out of state –May be little or no checking of quality Determine the source –Dust, screenings –Stainless steel slag Ask what contaminants might be present If in doubt... get it analyzed OR don’t use it

Example: Undesirable components - Metals in Aglime

Other Materials Biosolids and Water Treatment Sludges –Often have significant neutralizing value –Must be clean –Must be registered if sold as liming materials

Other Materials Organic Calcium Compounds Promesol 30, Liquid Lime –Trihydroxy glutaric acid 25% Ca –1 gallon = lb CCE? Liqui-Til –Trihydroxy glutaric acid –Neutralizes pH in alkaline soil? KK Organic Soil Builder –Neutralizes both acidic and alkaline soils? Liqui-Cal –8% Ca –1 gallon = 500 lb CaCO 3 ? Liquid Calcium –1 gallon = Ca in 500 lb CaCO 3 ? –Suggest it is a lime substitute Golden Cal –Glucoheptomic acid –1 gallon = 500 lb CCE? pH Plus –1 gallon = lb CCE?

Other Materials Remember: 1 Eq. of base is required to neutralize 1 Eq. of acid Watch out for materials that contain Ca with unwritten or suggestive claims for liming value

Soil Acidity and Liming Limestone Application –Apply limestone far enough ahead of time to be effective –Spread limestone uniformly Spinner spreaders Boom spreaders Damp lime Dust –Spit high rates of limestone (>4 ton/A) –Time of year is not too critical Consider soil quality issues – compaction –Mix limestone as much as practical Adjust for depth of mixing - 6 2/3 in. standard depth No till – Correct pH before going to no-till

Soil Acidity and Liming Time (years) Soil pH vs No-Till With 6000 lbs/A of Lime Applied Every 3rd Year