Improving Your Soil with AgLime
Seasoned farmers know that over time, soil can become too acidic to produce a healthy crop. There are many causes of this – from overworked land to exposure to erosion, leaching and decomposition of organic matter. Fortunately, there’s a solution for restoring the health of your soil: Aglime.
So, what is Aglime and how does it work, exactly? We’re glad you ask!
To start, Agricultural Lime ie. Aglime is nothing more than limestone that has been crushed down to a very tiny particulate matter. Its active component is calcium carbonate which helps to rebalance Ph levels, reduce toxicity and add nutrients to the soil. The material must be pulverized very finely to have a positive impact on soil. The smaller the particle size of the agricultural lime, the more effective it will be.Aglime dissolves into the soil and reduces acidity. Additionally, Aglime improves nutrient and water uptake and protects the soil from wind erosion. It can also improve the fertilizer efficiency by as much as 50 percent and makes certain herbicides more effective.
The Difficulty with Acidity in Soil
Over time, erosion, leaching and decomposition of organic material increases the acidity of soil which has a negative impact on crops. When there is too much acidity, minerals like aluminum and manganese become soluble. These minerals are toxic to plants and can cause plants to yellow, pucker or burn. Nutrients needed by plants like calcium and magnesium tend to be deficient in acidic soils. Furthermore, beneficial bacteria in the soil cannot survive in acidic conditions.
The Advantages of Aglime
In addition to neutralizing soil acidity, the benefits of the regular application of Aglime often include the addition of needed calcium or magnesium. The effectiveness of certain herbicides is also enhanced, and the total soil environment is made more favorable for soil organisms. All this leads to a more healthy soil condition where the potential for the leaching of harmful chemicals into your groundwater is greatly reduced or eliminated.
The 411 on Soil pH
Soil pH is the measure of Hydrogen (H+) ion activity in the soil solution and reflects soil acidity. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral; less than 7.0 pH is considered acidic. A pH greater than 7.0 is considered alkaline. Conducting soil tests on every field of your farm at least once every three years (and applying Aglime when you need it) is the only way you can be sure that your fields do not become acidic.
Resource Delivers
As with all our products, RI’s Aglime are made from the highest quality limestone. Need help testing your soil? We do that too! Let us help you create ideal conditions for your crops. Call us today to learn more about our Aglime and how it can help create the soil you desire.
