Granular Liming Materials, Precision & the forgotten nutrient!

Mark Tripney 14th January 2015

Liming

Liming is the application of Calcium & Magnesium rich materials to soils in various

forms.

Liming benefits soil by neutralising acidity, improving texture and increasing the activity of

soil microorganisms'.

The Limiting Factor

Justus von Liebig 1803-1873

‘ The level of crop production can be no greater than that allowed by the most limiting of the essential growth factors’

Ideal Soil Composition

Air, 25

,Organic Matter

5

Water, 25

Minerals, 45

The soils Chemistry effects the Physics which

determines the Biology

Calcium

• Essential constituent in Cell wall construction

• Strengthens plants physical structure helping

-protect against insect & disease attack

-more efficient use of sunlight

-more efficient use of nutrients

• Reduces soil compaction by improving soil structure

• Adjusts/maintains soil pH

Up to 90% of the total cell Ca is in cell walls

Ca deficiency results in cell disintegration

Number 3

Calcium Deficiency

Internal

Tip Burn

Calcium Deficiency Black Heart

Calcium Deficiency

Potato IRS Apple Bitter Pit

Potato Trial Site Analysis

Potato Trials

45.50

46.00

46.50

47.00

47.50

48.00

48.50

49.00

49.50

50.00

Control 6t/ha Gypsum 220kg/ha Granulated CaSO4

t/ha

Moving Ca into Potatoes

Salt Effect in Glasshouses

Gaps in Crop due to high salt levels, leading to wastage at harvest

Fullhouse- Butterhead lettuce

Even final crop of better quality. Reduction of wastage which had been nearly 35% to almost zero.

Sulphur

• Structural Component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins & enzymes

• Required in similar amounts to Phosphate

• Deficiencies will affect growth and taste of crops

• Helps protect against insect attack

• Is key to efficient nitrogen use

• Missing link in quality crops; arable & grass

Sulphur Emissions

• Effective & rapid Increase in pH for this years crop

• Optimise Fertiliser Efficiency

• 100% of product available to the soil

• Precision Farming-Spot & Variable Rate Application

• Low application rates

• Little & often Maintenance

• Spreading –minimal if any weather Limitations

Granulated Lime Application Benefits

Reactivity Test

• Quantifying the effectiveness & speed of reaction of a liming material.

• The decomposition of the liming material in hydrochloric acid.

• Expressed as a % compared with pure Calcium Carbonate.

Lime Effectiveness

Particles Under 0.5 mm 100% Particles Over 0.5mm 50% Particles Over 1mm 25%

(NV is relative effectiveness compared to pure Calcium Oxide (CaO))

Lime Regulations 2014

Calcium Lime Standard 42 NV Fine 50 NV

Percentage Sieve Size Sieve Size

97 3.15 mm 2mm

80 1mm 1mm

50 0.5mm 0.315mm

30 0.1mm

Mag Lime 3% MgO Standard 45 NV , Fine 52 NV Dolomitic Lime 12% MgO Standard 48 NV, Fine 54 NV Effective from June 7th 2014. Full EU Harmonisation not until 2017

Producers meeting regulations can label “EC Fertilisers Lime”

There is one Lime Granulation Company that produces to the Fine standard in the UK and is industry assured

Nutrient Availability

The Fate Of Phosphorus

Fertiliser Efficiency

Soil acidity

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Potash

% Fertilser

wasted

Extremely acid 4.5 pH

30%

23%

33%

71.34%

Very strong acid 5.0 pH

53%

34%

52%

53.67%

Strongly acid 5.5 pH

77%

48%

77%

32.69%

Medium acid 6.0 pH

89%

52%

100%

19.67%

Neutral 7.0 pH

100%

100%

100%

00.0%

Spreader Calibration

Products spread checked regularly by

Clubroot Control

Root Development

WOSR Scotland

Mapping

Granulated Products Part of a complete liming service

• Spread up to 36M with conventional spreaders

• Band, placement & combine drilling options

• Apply to growing crops (does not stick to the leaf)

• 600 kg Bags for easy storage & handling

• Very low levels of dust when spreading near sensitive areas

• More affordable transport to remote areas

• Spread small areas & paddocks

• More bespoke products in development

mark@calcifert.co.uk

www.calcifert.co.uk

Club Root Trial

Broadcast 500 kg/ha

Placement application

250 kg/ha

Flocculation is important because water moves mostly in large pores between aggregates. Also, plant roots grow mainly between aggregates.

In all but the sandiest soils, dispersed clays plug soil pores and impede water infiltration and soil drainage.