What are the Characteristics of a Soil Liming Material?
Any material having the following characteristics may be used to lime soil: • Reduces soil acidity, with an accompanying increase in soil pH. This is the primary reason for applying lime to soil. • Does not add any elements to the soil which may adversely alter the soil’s physical or chemical properties. (For example, sodium compounds would likely cause plant nutritional disorders in most soils and could lead to dispersion of clay soils.) Since liming of soil requires relatively large amounts of material, it is desirable that the material used for liming be readily available and relatively inexpensive.
