Are you a prairie farmer who’s interested in incorporating cement kiln dust (CKD), dolomitic lime, or another agricultural lime into your soil? If you’re dealing with acidic soil, there is no shortage of factors to consider. In this blog with Norstar Agriculture, let’s dive into several key soil considerations to review before investing in a liming product. Read on with us to learn more.
#1: Base Saturations
When it comes to nutrient levels, it’s not only about ‘how much’ but about ‘how balanced.’ While levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other macronutrients may be sufficient when measured in total PPM (parts per million), that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all readily available for plant uptake.
It’s crucial to consider the base saturation of soil, which can only be adequately measured in a soil test. Soil particles are negatively charged and contain cation exchange sites (CEC). These soil tests can then effectively measure the ratios and percentages of how many of which nutrients are actually held to the CEC. As a result, base saturation provides a significantly more accurate view of which nutrients are readily available and absorbed by the soil.
#2: Soil pH Levels
Perhaps unsurprising to many is that soil pH matters when incorporating a liming agent into your soil maintenance routine. Correcting soil acidity is typically the primary reason why liming inputs are applied. Acidic soils are typically those with a measured pH below the optimal range of the given crop. In the prairies, this is typically soil with a pH below 6.0.
That said, pH levels are only part of the story. Liming agents such as cement kiln dust contain calcium oxide (CaO), whereas limestone contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcium is an essential soil mineral. It improves overall chemical balance and helps microbes more efficiently process and break down organic matter. In addition, calcium is essential for maintaining strong cell walls, helping promote overall plant strength and resilience.
#3: Soil Aggregates & Structure
While liming agents are most widely used for pH issues, lime can also have a substantial impact on soil binding.The abundant calcium content found in lime can help ensure that soil particles can properly bind together, known as aggregates. Aggregates are the building blocks of a stable soil structure. Aggregated soil is formed from clusters of soil particles that allow air and water to pass through the gaps. As a result, soils have better resilience against wind erosion, drought, and other environmental stressors.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for any signs of soil compaction, which may indicate that the poor structure is limiting plant growth. This can include common field signs such as crusting near the top, uneven water pooling, tightly compacted upper soil layers, or visible cracks.
Why Testing & Trials Matter
While it’s crucial to understand what to look out for before liming, the how is also a part of the equation. The truth is, many of these soil conditions can’t be fully determined without a full analysis. Dolomitic lime, for example, contains both calcium and magnesium. If applied to soils with already sufficient magnesium levels, this excess magnesium can disrupt and degrade soil aggregation.
Before purchasing your next supply of CKD or agricultural lime in preparation for the growing season, we highly recommend having your fields professionally tested. Soil fertility and composition can change significantly from season to season, with factors such as nutrient leaching, drought, and wind erosion having a big impact. Due to this, soil tests from five to ten years ago don’t typically provide a full, up-to-date picture of soil health.
Reach Out Before You Lime
There’s more to soil than pH when it comes to liming. Reach out to us today to learn more about our cement kiln dust and dolomitic lime products—and whether they’re right for you. Our expert team of travelling agronomists travels throughout Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, supporting farmers with science-backed crop consultancy solutions.
