To Lime or Not to Lime
The decision to add lime in these inflationary times can be tough, particularly with high diesel and urea input costs. At Miriwinni Lime & Gypsum we understand the struggle that our customers may be experiencing, particularly as some of our employees are also our customers. It is important that our customers understand what the trade off may be when it comes to cutting back on adding lime to their paddocks.
Lime as calcium carbonate is a critical soil ingredient, also known as a soil conditioner, that assists in maximising plant growth through the control of pH levels and nutrient uptake.
In soil with low pH levels the uptake of fertilisers can be reduced. If a soil has a pH at 5.0 or below (very acidic) this can have a significant impact on fertiliser efficiency and reduce their effectiveness by up to 50% depending on the type of fertiliser and soil properties.
The tables below provide some guidance on the relationship between optimal pH, fertiliser efficiency and nutrient availability.
Lime as calcium carbonate is a critical soil ingredient, also known as a soil conditioner, that assists in maximising plant growth through the control of pH levels and nutrient uptake.
The Final Word
Ultimately as our customer, it is your decision as to whether lime is added to your paddock. However, it is important to consider that you may not be getting the full benefit out of the fertiliser that you add if the pH of your soil isn’t at the right level.
For further information on our products please contact the team at Miriwinni Lime & Gypsum via [email protected] or call us direct on 07 4043 2200 and we can help you with your lime and soil conditioning options.
