The growth and normal development of fruit and vegetable plants is dependent on soil composition. Special influenced by the level of its acidity. This indicator of soil are divided into three groups: acidic, neutral and alkaline. For many horticultural crops are the most dangerous soil with high acidity. Plants developing in such conditions, it is possible to notice a clear deceleration of growth due to the poor digestibility of the nutrients in acidic soils. Periodic liming of the soil allows to equalize the acid-alkaline balance, thus removing the cause, depressing the growth of plants.
The contents
How to identify acidic soil?
On the necessity of deoxidation of the soil, you can see how the external signs and the results of the laboratory tests. Carried out immediately, liming is necessary in the case if the land plot has gained a whitish or grayish-white shade. Increased soil acidity is also confirmed by 10-inch podzolic horizon. The growth of weeds can also be an indicator of excessive oxidation of the garden soil. Color litmus paper indicator dipped in diluted water samples, it is possible to know the type of soil.
Appliance — PH-meter allows the grower to accurately and quickly determine the acidity level of the soil in different areas of your garden or backyard
If you want to know the exact degree of acidity of the soil, then hand over its samples for analysis in the agrochemical laboratory.
What substances contribute to acid soils?
Most often, the liming of acidic soils is carried out with slaked lime. When calculating the required quantity of the substance take into account:
- the composition of the soil in the garden;
- the level of acidity of the earth;
- the estimated drilling depth.
At high pH (pH5 or lower) in the soil making large doses of lime. For every square meter of clayey and loamy earth add at least 0.5 kg of limestone, and the sandy – 0.3 kg. With an average acidity level of the soil dose reduced respectively to 0.3 kg and 0.2 kg In sandy soil under low pH calcareous materials is not added, and in clay and loamy lands, it is sufficient to add 0.2 kg per square meter.
Not less common among gardeners and method for the liming of soils wood ashes containing up to 35% of calcium. In wood ashes is present phosphorus, potassium and other trace elements that are beneficial to plant growth.
The application rate of lime specified in pounds per ten square meters, when different types of liming acidic soils in the garden
Also liming and gypsuming of soils is carried out using lime lake (drywall), chalk, peat ash, dolomite powder, of hydrated lime and etc.
The optimum timing of lime
It is recommended that at the stage of laying of the garden to carry out initial activities in the liming plot. Preferably, the liming of the land in the autumn, making limestone with organic fertilizer before digging the earth. The digging of the plot allows you to leave the deposited substance on the surface of the soil. If such events are planned for spring, then perform them for three weeks before sowing vegetable crops. Allowed the conduct of liming the soil in the winter, while dolomite powder crumbles right on top of the snow. The thickness of the snow cover should not exceed 30 cm should Not make the lime along with the manure, as in their interaction formed insoluble compounds.
Under such vegetables as beets and cabbage, make the lime material must be directly in the year of sowing. By alternating crops and other vegetables are planted in limed areas of the garden the next year. Liming plot used continuously for the cultivation of potatoes is carried out only in the fall.
Primary and repeated liming
During the main (reclamation) liming the soil with high acidity, making the full dose of the materials for increasing the pH value to desired value. The purpose of a second (supporting) liming is maintaining the site in the soil optimum level of reaction medium. The introduction of small doses of lime fertilizers compensates for the loss of lime from the earth that have occurred over the season.
Lime powder allows you to bring the level of soil acidity to the desired rate based on the needs grown in the place of cultures
Liming of the plot fails:
- to intensify the activity of some beneficial microorganisms (rhizobia bacteria, etc.);
- enrich the soil with food elements available for garden plants;
- to improve physical properties of soil (water permeability, structure, etc.);
- to improve the efficiency of mineral and organic fertilizers to 30-40%;
- to reduce production of a number of toxic elements (especially important for garden plots located near industrial zones).
So, to eliminate the problem of excess soil acidity allows it liming. Made lime fertilizers have a beneficial effect on the growth, development and yield grown on the area of crops. Increases the impact of the costs incurred by the grower for the purchase of mineral and organic fertilizers. On neutral soils slows down the process of accumulation in vegetables and berries harmful substances. Liming plot allows you to collect products that have grown.
