granular liming materials, precision & the forgotten nutrient!granular liming materials,...
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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
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.