Agronomy Update November 2019
Posted by Dave Dyson, Agronomist on November 11, 2019
MANAGEMENT
By Dave Dyson, Agronomist
It is time to think about fall fertilizer applications, particularly for pH and liming needs. The first step is to take a thorough soil test to measure values of major nutrients (N-P-K), cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, hydrogen and sodium), and micronutrients. Depending on the soil test results, fall is an ideal time for the application of lime or gypsum because these mined sources break down in the soil over the winter to become readily available to the growing crop the following season.
SOIL PH, LIME AND GYPSUM 101
Soil pH is the measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil. The pH of soil affects the crop from planting to harvest because it determines the availability of nutrients through chemistry and microbial processes. Figure 1 shows how pH can influence nutrient uptake versus tie-up. It is ideal to maintain a soil pH between 5.8 and 6.8, where nutrients are most available. It is best practice to continually maintain soil pH, rather than wait for an imbalance to occur.
Figure 1: Chart displaying nutrient availability dependent on soil pH.
Lime delivers calcium and/or magnesium to the soil and raises pH. Nitrogen fertilizers acidify soil (lower pH) and if pH is low, lime will need to be applied. The issue with the majority of ag limestone products is that they take time (usually two years) to significantly raise a pH deficiency into an optimal range. Adjustment of soil pH in-season is possible when using a pelletized limestone product from The Andersons. If soils are limed regularly, this will counteract the acidifying effect of nitrogen applications, and pH should never get too low.
Gypsum contains calcium and sulfur and is pH neutral, which means that it will not move pH up or down. Gypsum also offers many benefits for improving soil structure in tight, compacted, or high-clay soils. The sulfur in gypsum attaches to magnesium cations that strongly bind soil particles closely together. The sulfur then flushes magnesium through the soil profile, helping to loosen soil. Over time, the soil becomes more “breathable” as increased water and air infiltration are able to more easily flow through increased pore space.
WHAT’S THE GYPSUM BUZZ?
Gypsum is a hot topic in agriculture these days. Though pricier than lime, it is important to understand the differences between lime and gypsum and apply gypsum when it’s more appropriate. Unlike lime, gypsum provides sulfur to the soil. As a result of the Clean Air Act in 1963, crops do not receive sulfur in the form of acid rain because the rain is no longer acidic. Sulfur is an anion that is leachable in the soil profile, so it is up to the producer to monitor sulfur levels and supplement as needed.
THE ANDERSONS PELLETIZED PRODUCTS
The Andersons Pelletized lime and gypsum products are a marriage of wonderful attributes. You get the nutrients that you need—high quality mined calcium, magnesium or sulfur, depending on the product— in a granule form that is user-friendly and spreads easily.
The Andersons pelletized gypsum product, NutraSoft® DG or OP, efficiently delivers 21% calcium and 16% sulfur that can be applied on all soil types and pH ranges. NutraSoft has the potential to loosen compacted soils. NutraSoft is offered in two versions that both feature DG—Dispersing Granule—technology.
- the original Dispersing Granule for conventional use
- contains a dust-control agent
- OMRI listed for organic use
- contains no dust-control agent for organic purposes
The Andersons pelletized lime product, NutraLime®, is available in high-calcium (Hi-Cal) and high-magnesium (Hi-Mag) versions. These pelletized limestone products provide immediate availability of calcium and magnesium and raise the soil pH in-season. DG technology is incorporated into all NutraLime products. As with NutraSoft, NutraLime is available in both DG and OP versions.
(HI-CAL OR HI-MAG)
- the original Dispersing Granule for conventional use
- contains a dust-control agent
(HI-CAL OR HI-MAG)
- OMRI listed for organic use
- contains no dust-control agent for organic purposes
In conclusion, it is important to be thinking ahead to the next growing season now. Planning ahead will put you in the most prepared position when it comes to the application of soil amendments to your fields. Both NutraLime DG/OP and NutraSoft DG/OP offer many soil health benefits, as well as critical nutrients.
| PRODUCTS MENTIONED | PRODUCT SHEET |
| NutraLime DG (Hi-Cal) |  |
| NutraLime DG (Hi-Mag) | |
| NutraLime OP (Hi-Cal) OMRI Certified |  |
| NutraLime OP (Hi-Mag) OMRI Certified | |
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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NutraLime and NutraSoft are registered trademarks of The Andersons, Inc.
