LIME FOR THE SOIL

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXX, Issue 3627, 3 July 1939, Page 7

LIME FOR THE SOIL

Valuable Points Although written primarily for Tasmanian readers, the following extracts from the “Extension Service” of the Tasmanian “Journal of Agriculture” will be of general interest: Lime is an essential ingredient of the soil on account of the important part it plays in both plant and animal nutrition. On lime-deficient soils plant growth is generally backward, and live stock are subject to constitutional weakness and such diseases as rickets. Apart from its manurial value, lime plays an important part in correcting certain soil conditions which militate against successful cropping. The following are the principal ways in which its use is beneficial in this connection; 1. It makes stiff soils more friable, thus allowing of a finer condition of tilth, and promoting the penetration of air and moisture to the roots of the plants; even a light dressing is very beneficial. 2. It neutralises acids formed by the decay of organic matter, and sweetens land that has become sour from long stagnation; ploughing and cultivation only would take much longer to accomplish this. If drainage is faulty this must be corrected before results can be expected from the application of lime. 3. It assists in checking the growth of certain weeds. 4. Combined with proper conditions of temperature and moisture, it promotes and maintains the production and activity of the desirable bacterial soil organisms which play their part in preparing and making available the food for pasture and fodder plants. 5. It encourages leguminous plants in their ability to draw nitrogen from the air by promoting the growth of the special species of bacteria which form nodules on the roots cf these plants. All clovers and other .leguminous plants established on soils where a deficiency of lime exists have few or no nodules on their roots, and a corresponding inability to draw nitrogen from the air.