For centuries farmers have known about the importance of applying Lime to their fields. This knowledge was simply based on the improved production that they saw after applying Lime rather than any proven science. Perhaps, because pH testing was one of the earliest scientific soil tests to be carried out, and considering that it was realised that Lime increased soil pH, the requirement for Lime has been based around pH for at least one hundred years. Currently, based on crop and animal production results, a large number of NZ farmers are steadily raising farm soil pH levels from the widely accepted level of between 5.6 and 5.8 to above pH 6.0. The science behind the carbonate portion of the Calcium carbonate in Lime raising pH is widely understood, as is the essential requirement for Calcium in bone structure, milk production, and all living cell wall structures etc.
Much less recognised is the essential part that Lime plays in the digestive system of earthworms and the life requirements of all soil microbial life, and how in turn this releases large quantities of plant available Nitrogen into the soil. To lubricate their passage through the soil, earthworms produce a film of mucus that is high in Calcium. The mucus film that is left behind by the worms binds soil particles together to form open aggregates. This opens the soil structure and allows for ease of water and air movement through the soil. As air moves into the soil, (in addition to the Nitrogen fixing bacteria that are associated with clover root nodules), there are many other species of Nitrogen fixing bacteria present in the soil and they take Nitrogen direct from the air. As part of their life cycle these bacteria make atmospheric Nitrogen directly available to all plants.
Plants not only require Calcium for cell structure and mineral requirements, but also for the production of a high Calcium content root mucus excretion that facilitates the smooth travel of the plant root through the soil. This mucus film also provides an efficient contact between the plant root, the soil and soil microbial life. Science has proved beyond doubt that increasing Limes surface area by fine grinding, exponentially increases its ability to raise soil pH. In addition, understanding that the vast majority of the soils microbial life force, that requires Lime, and that they are so small they can’t be seen by the naked eye, makes it easy to understand the importance and efficiency of including an ultra-fine particle Lime product in your fertiliser programme.
Andrew de Lautour. PFP Fertilisers Ltd.©
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