Agricultural Lime or Aglime is pulverized limestone. It is used to change some of the chemical and physical properties of soil, making it more productive.

What does lime do?

Lime increases fertilizer efficiency. When you lime an acid soil you raise the level of calcium and magnesium. You accelerate micro biological activity, and increase the rate of release from the soil of organic matter and nutrient elements. Nitrate production and nitrogen fixation by the nodule bacteria on legume roots also increases. For maximum growth, plants require a high level of nutrient elements. And liming an acid soil to a pH level of about 6.5 will ensure a ready availability of these nutrients. Extra phosphoric acid, potash or other elements may be needed for some crops.

Lime can be the difference between crop success and crop failure.

Most legumes and vegetables grow better in well limed soil, for example lucerne, spinach and cabbage. Under normal conditions you will grow a superior crop and increase your profit by liming acid soils. Watermelons, potatoes and rhubarb are not usually improved by  lime.

Liming acid soil benefits animals and man.

Liming raises the amount of calcium and magnesium in the soil, and increase the availability of soil phosphorus and nitrogen. These elements are essential to man and animals. Legumes encouraged to grow by lime are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus and many of the minor elements so necessary to animals. Why is calcium so important to plant growth?Plants need calcium to grow erect. Similarly, in animal bones calcium phosphate creates the same necessary effect. With magnesium and potassium, the calcium neutralizes the organic acids that are formed in plants. The plant's growth stops when the limited supply of calcium contained in the seed or transplant is exhausted.

Lime improves soil tilth.

Lime tends to prevent heavy clays, clay loams and silt loams running together when wet. When dry, lime reduces soil crusting and clodding. Lime's granulating action opens up and breaks down the topsoil. Humus - created by the lime assisted decay of organic matter- contributes even more to good soil tilth. The result is an even easier, more effective and less costly tillage, a more permeable root bed and a more drought resistant crop. Frequent cropping, the heavy use of acidic fertilizers and leaching necessitates the constant use of lime for correcting the soil pH. Agricultural lime may be regarded as suitable for maintenance dressings of pastures or is ideal for mixing with superphosphates and seed to provide a single operation. It is also the main form of lime used for mixing with prepared stock foods or with salt. Where animals are being hand feed, particularly with grain, calcium deficiencies may show up and it is customary to provide a ground limestone supplement.

Does your land need lime?

It is advisable to ask us or your soil advisor for assistance in taking accurate soil samples for pH testing to determine your soil acidity. 

Approximate lime requirements in tonnes per hectare to bring the soil pH to 6.5.

© Steve Cselka 2002 - 2010