The primary reason for liming acid soil is to bring soils to an optimum pH which makes nutrients more available to plants improving yield or quality of the crop being grown. A number of soil parameters change simultaneously as soil acidity is reduced by liming.
When mineral soil pH is below 5.5, aluminum toxicity can reduce plant growth. Organic soils contain little Al, thus plants can tolerate much lower pH levels on those soils without adverse effects. Many Florida soils are low in magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), and application of dolomitic limestone (calcium magnesium carbonate) serves many purposes: (1) it raises the soil pH; (2) it provides Mg and Ca as nutrients and: (3) makes other nutrients such as phosphorous (P) more available.
On the other hand, excessive liming can be detrimental. Many Florida soils are quite low in manganese (Mn), and deficiencies of Mn and other micronutrients can occur in soils that are over-limed. The problems begin to appear any time soil pH is raised above 6.3 or so, depending on the level of Mn present and the crop being grown.
Some physiological disorders of plants, such as frenching of tobacco, are associated with high levels of lime. Certain plant pathogens, such as the one causing black shank of tobacco, are more virulent as the soil pH increases above pH 5.8. Peanuts need high levels of Mn and may show yellowing of leaf tissue at high pH when Mn becomes unavailable. Peanuts also require high levels of Ca during seed development. If Ca is low in peanut fields but the pH is at the desired level, materials such as gypsum can be used to supply Ca without raising pH.
Soil pH of Florida fields that are routinely irrigated from deep may increase in some instances. Irrigation water drawn from limestone aquifers contains low levels of dissolved calcium carbonate, and this added lime accumulates over time and affects soil pH. Use of soil samples as described below can indicate if irrigation water contributes to soil pH variation. In addition, the need for lime can be affected by the source and amount of fertilizer applied. A soil test can help reveal the practical effects on soil pH and the need for lime. Soil tests usually confirm that dry corners of irrigation systems have higher nutrient content than the irrigated portion of the field due to less leaching, and less accumulation of dissolved calcium carbonate from irrigation water.
In order to obtain the maximum benefits from liming, it is necessary to plan yourliming program. Soil and plant factors must be taken into account in determining the type and quantity of lime to apply.
The first step is to take a soil sample that is representative of the field and have it tested by a laboratory that runs a lime requirement test. Since interpretation of soil test results are dependent on the test used and the field correlations of the test, no interpretations will be made in this document. Refer to SL-129 UF/IFAS Standardized Fertilization Recommendations for Agronomic Crops (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss163) for the target pH for agronomic crops.
The decision of whether to use dolomitic or calcitic ("hi cal") lime should be based primarily on the cost of the material to the producer. However, calcitic lime will increase pH faster than dolomitic limestone. When both lime and Mg are needed, dolomite can serve as the liming material of choice. However, if the cost of dolomite is significantly higher than calcite, the producer should consider the alternative of applying calcite as the liming material and Mg as a fertilizer. Application of dolomite as a source of Mg without regard to the liming effect can lead to other nutritional problems in soils with pH above 6.3.
Producers frequently have access to by-product materials that can serve very well for liming agricultural land if the nature of the material is understood and proper precautions are followed. Lime from municipal water treatment plants is an example. Some suggestions follow about the handling and use of lime from water treatment plants:
- Lime usually has the consistency of a thick paste from water treatment plants. Pile and allow to dry before attempting to spread.
- Turn with a front-end loader to promote drying. Spread on a calm day before the material completely dries to minimize dust drift.
- Use only about 80% of the agricultural limestone quantiy when using this material. It will react quickly due to its fineness and thus carry more potential for overliming if not properly used.
- It is usually more difficult to spread since liming soil was not the primary purpose for this material.
Materials sold as aglime are covered by the Florida Commercial Fertilizer Law and must meet specifications of fineness of grind, carbonate equivalance, and Mg content (in the case of dolomite). This affords some consumer protection. Lime by-products are not covered by the law, and the consumer must assume more personal responsibility when dealing with such products. Liming is one of the most important soil fertility practices on strongly acid mineral soils. However, many field crops in Florida produce just as well on moderately acid soils as they do on only slightly acid soils.
Lowering Soil pH
Soil pH is sometimes too high for optimum growth and yield of particular plant species. Most plant species are tolerant to a wide range of soil pH. Do not attempt to lower soil pH unless there is evidence that plant growth is being adversely affected by pH.
If the source of the high pH is naturally occurring carbonates (ex. the rockland soils of Dade County or soil containing limestone outcroppings), it is impractical to lower the soil pH on a field-wide scale. In such situations, application of elemental sulfur (or ammonium sulfate, if N is needed) and micronutrients together in a band is recommended. The micronutrients will remain soluble in the acid band, and adverse effects of high pH may be avoided.
If the soil pH is too high as a result of excessive liming, take note and avoid liming tillthe pH gradually becomes more acidic with time. Time is the best cure for over-limed soil in Florida. When high pH has resulted in Mn deficiency on peanuts, ammonium sulfate is effective in lowering the pH enough to make Mn adequately available for normal plant growth.
When a more rapid lowering of soil pH is desired, elemental sulfur broadcast and worked into the soil will hasten acidification.
Caution: Sulfate forms of sulfur will not lower pH. Elemental sulfur (ex. ag grade sulfur, wettable sulfur, flowers of sulfur) is acted upon by soil microorganisms and sulfuric acid is produced. It is the acid, not the sulfate, that neutralizes the excess carbonate in the soil. The effect on soil pH will probably be slow because of microbial action.