Again, always go with
@FarmerDan on that stuff.
Farmer, I know about runoff and leaching for reason to do split application. What if you incorporated the 2 tons with tillage/discinf then immediately planted? Would you recommend doing it all at one time then?
I’ve always heard that putting out lime is like planting a tree. Best time was a year ago. Next best time is toda
Again, always go with
@FarmerDan on that stuff.
Farmer, I know about runoff and leaching for reason to do split application. What if you incorporated the 2 tons with tillage/discinf then immediately planted? Would you recommend doing it all at one time then?
I’ve always heard that putting out lime is like planting a tree. Best time was a year ago. Next best time is today.
I really don't know. We often get into deep discussions here in this habitat forum that serve little purpose other than to plumb the depths of topics that have no useful purpose...or, if they do, there is no way to 'prove' they are correct. Faith is a big part of farming and habitat improvement as a subset of growing things. That there is science is a great benefit but interpretation and application are difficult concepts. Maybe it all serves to get our thinking centered correctly. If you, dear reader, are not the thinking type then you must choose a way of doing things and then hoping for the best. Having said that, I will offer a couple of unsupportable thoughts in response to your question
Incorporating lime thru soil disturbance is much different than a surface applied lime application. With incorporation there is a volume problem and a degradation problem (remember, this is just my thinking). Too often I think we think that after we do something it remains that way forever. Let's make a couple of assumptions. First, there are two million pounds of soil in a
plow layer or the top 6 inches of soil. Further, assume the top 6 inch soil profile is all we can affect. I think both are scientifically sound assumptions.
Lime applications are intended to change the soil chemistry and that chemist involves soil particle surfaces. But let's assume a homogenous loamy soil type. Mixing 4,000 lbs of lime in 2-million pounds of soil sounds like a good thing because the entire workable soil profile is amended, not equally but at the same rate. Here's the problem. In a new planting where are 80% of the roots at establishment? I guess it depends on what you are planting but I think I would be somewhat right to think 80% are in the top 3-inch soil profile. So, at least initially, the effect in the 3-inch to 6-inch space is wasted - at least initially. Now, on to the degradation phase. Does it all go to hell at once? Is the top faster than the bottom? I don't know.
Play the song backwards for a surface application.
Does it matter if the intended crop is perennial or annual? Does it matter more for corn than soybeans. I have a thought but it probably doesn't matter.
I think the most important things in the topic of pH and liming are 1) A properly executed soil collection and test to understand the current situation, and, at the same time to understand the limitations of gathering soil samples and interpretation of test results; 2) then the leap of faith - the decision to lime or not to lime and the reasons for both. Past that you start getting into discussions that get deeper and deeper and matter less and less.
