1. Liming and Liming Materials

2. pH value defines relative acidity or basicity
9.0
8.0
Basicity
Most Productive Soils
pH value
defines
relative
acidity or
basicity
7.0
Neutrality
6.0
Acidity
5.0
pH = - log[H+]
4.0

5. What Causes Soil Acidity?
Rainfall
leaches basic elements (Ca++, Mg++, Na+, K+)
Acidic parent material
granite more acidic than shale or sandstone
Organic Matter
OM decay produce H+
Harvest of high yielding crops
most significant role

6. - - - - clay - - - - - - - Soil Acidity H+ Al3+ H+ H+ H+ H+ Ca2+
(Cation Exchange)
(Soil Solution) H+
Ca2+
pH = - log[H+]

7. How Lime Reduces Soil Acidity
A Ca2+ ion from the lime replaces two H+ ions on the cation exchange complex
The H+ ions combine with OH- to form water
Soil pH increases because the acidity source (H+) has been reduced

8. Neutralizing Acidity with Lime
CaCO3 + H2O Ca HCO OH-
Displaces
Al & H from
Clay
Breaks down to
carbon dioxide
+ water
Combines with H+
released from the clay
or from Al-OH
to form water

9. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How Lime Works clay clay
CaCO3 (Lime)
Ca HCO OH- - - - - - -
clay
Ca2+ - - - - -
+ H2O CO2
(Carbon
Dioxide)
(Water)

10. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How Lime Works clay clay
Al+++ - -
clay - - - - -
CaCO3 (Lime)
Ca HCO OH- - - - -
H2O - -
clay
Ca2+ - - - - -
Al H2O --> Al(OH)2+ + 2H+
Al(OH) H2O CO2
(Carbon
Dioxide)
(Water)

11. Lime Materials: Effectiveness is Determined: Particle Size
Neutralizing Power

12. 10 mesh
1/8”
3/16”
20 mesh
1/4”
100 mesh
1/2”
200 mesh
3/4”

13. FINENESS
PPI

14. AgLime Mesh Size Specifications: Virginia
Ground Limestone
Mesh Guar. to Pass % % %
Pulverized Lime % %

15. Neutralizing Power or Calcium Carbonate Equivalency (CCE)
CaCO3 set to 100.
All other materials compared to it.

16. Neutralizing Value (CCE) of Pure Compounds

17. Lime Neutralizing Power
Purity:
minimum calcium carbonate equivalency (CCE) of 85%

18. Properties of various lime materials

19. Which Lime Should I Use? Dolomitic Calcitic Hydrated Burned Suspension
Pelleted Ag
Marl

20. Liming
When is the best time to apply?

21. Apply Lime Well
Ahead of Planting

22. 5.0
6.0
7.0
Sandy Loam
Silt Loam
1.5 tons
2.5 tons pH