- One of the best times to perform liming is after the harvest.
- The lime dose is determined not only based on the soil pH, but also in the context of the agronomic category of the soil.
In the case of arable land, the optimal pH value in KCl is from 5.5 to 7.0, i.e. from slightly acidic to neutral. Why such a large range? Very light soils are unlikely to be brought to a pH close to 7.0. This is not possible due to their poor sorption complex and the fact that these soils are permeable and alkaline ions are washed out of them with higher rainfall. Therefore, each soil should be treated slightly differently when it comes to restoring its so-called optimal pH.
Why is the post-harvest period best for liming?
There is a lot of time between crops, you can mix lime with the soil well several times in the post-harvest tillage system. Moreover, if we mix straw with soil, calcium limits the accumulation of phytotoxic substances resulting from the microbiological decomposition of straw in the soil.
The only thing we must remember during this period is the fact that when sowing lime, we must take into account the reaction of calcium fertilizers with other fertilizers we will use. A short interval between lime and natural fertilizers (e.g. manure) is especially not recommended. Nitrogen, phosphorus and even multi-component fertilizers also do not like close association with liming. This results in losses of the introduced nutrients.
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Differences in liming of light and compact soils
Calcium in most fertilizers comes in two forms: oxide (CaO) and carbonate (CaCO3). Theoretically, oxide lime works quickly and is recommended for compact soils, because such soils have high buffering capacity, are less susceptible to pH changes and, in addition, such lime will also loosen the structure that is too compact. The carbonate form works slower and gentler. Each fertilizer has a specified CaO content, so when calculating the dose of a specific fertilizer, you must stick to this value.
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How much lime to apply per hectare?
CaO doses on arable land depend primarily on the pH value determined in KCl, which should be compared to the type of soil. The lighter the soil, the lower the optimal pH will be. We will receive recommendations in this context at the stage of research carried out at SCHR. In this respect, however, we will receive at most descriptive recommendations as: necessary, needed, advisable, limited, unnecessary. So how much lime should be given per hectare in such a situation? The tables developed by SCHR and which are included, among others, in the newly published Collection of Recommendations for Good Agricultural Practice, aimed at protecting waters against pollution with nitrates from agricultural sources, can be helpful.
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How much lime for very light soils?
Recommended dose of CaOt/ha of very light soil: Source: KSChR/MRiRW
How much lime for light soils?
Recommended dose of CaOt/ha for light soils: Source: KSChR/MRiRW
How much lime for medium soil?
Recommended dose of CaOt/ha of medium soil: Source: KSChR/MRiRW
How much lime for heavy soils?
Recommended dose of CaOt/ha in heavy soil: Source: KSChR/MRiRW
