What is the best lime for lime pelleting?
Lime for lime pelleting of seed with Rhizobium should be bought specifically for that purpose. When using products containing hydroxide caution should be taken. A pH of 9-10 (5g of lime in 50mls of water) or greater will kill rhizobium. The Neutralising Value is not a safe indication of a lime products toxicity to rhizobium. G-lime is lime kiln dust pelletised with water, then recrushed. It is a mixture of the less reactive calcium carbonate and the more reactive calcium hydroxide, but it typically has an NV of 90. Generally G-lime, burnt-lime or lime kiln dust, and hydrated lime are too alkaline and will kill the rhizobium being coated on the legume seed.
