A very common situation in orchards and gardens is the disparity in the development of some species, which have very different production and development results. If your plot is in that case, you may have noticed that while legumes occur optimally, some grasses do not reach satisfactory outputs, or vice versa.
The causes are varied. Among them, one of the most crucial is the level of soil acidity or “pH” important factor when it comes to cash crops. To adopt resolutions on the subject, it must start with a soil test, and if this level is different from the species to produce needed, it is imperative to practice an amendment designed to correct the specific problem.
The control of this reaction is critical, because the pH directly influences the solubility and absorption of the elements that feed the plants. If soil acidity is much-less than 5.6 pH -, phosphorus compounds combined with aluminum and iron, forming others who are not assimilated by plants.
In contrast the other extreme, an alkaline reaction with a pH 8.0 or more, means that the absorption decreases equally, because forming tricalcium phosphate compounds which are difficult to assimilate plants. The best level of absorption is in the neutral pH, ie about 7.0 (6.5 to 7.5).
Other nutrients that are also sensitive to ground reaction are the minor elements such as iron, manganese and zinc, which can be well used at a high pH.
Lime application in acidic soils
Plants generally have a wide tolerance to soil acidity, although certain species group has greater acceptance than others, and the need to adapt better in alkaline media. Legumes, beans, peas, lentils, clover, alfalfa and others belong to the group of plants that require neutrality for better development and benefit from the application of lime on acid soils. Instead of potato, wheat and oats, to name a few, do not improve their production with lime applications.
Soil microorganisms that impact nitrification and humus formation, require an appropriate reaction, which is why the application of lime on acid soils allows for better processing of organic matter and nitrate production needed by plants .
Lime application also allows “drop clay soils”, or lumps forming follicles, creating favorable conditions for the plants in the ground.
If the pH of the soil is 6.0 or less, to apply lime to bring it to a neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Here are the Malleco south, although it is also common to find them in the central area and the coastal range. In the country, the lime used is marketed as “calcium carbonate”, “calcium oxide” or “lime hydroxide”.
To ensure proper use of this amendment in the type and amount of lime needed to correct an acid soil, you need to consult a technician.
It is worth noting that, at the time of applying, the lime must be mixed well with the soil, using the work of plowing, crosses and rastraje, in advance of planting. A uniform distribution is achieved more efficiently with encaladoras machines where surfaces is considerable, of one or more acres.
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