The method based on base saturation elevation has as its principle the relationship between pH and base saturation of the soil.
To learn more about the base saturation method and the recommended V% values for each crop click here.
Base saturation (V%) and pH for the adequate development of the main species.
| Acidity tolerance by species | V% | pH (CaCl2 0.01 mol / dm3) |
|---|---|---|
| High: eucalyptus, Pinus spp. and yerba mate | 21 - 35 | 4.0 - 4.4 |
| Medium: upland rice, irrigated rice, brachiaria, native and modified field, ginger and cassava | 36 - 50 | 4.5 - 4.9 |
| Low: alfalfa, plum, peanut, mulberry, white oat, black oat, ryegrass, banana, potato, coffee, chamomile, sugarcane, canola, persimmon, onion, barley, chayote, citrus, crambe, Cynodon spp., bean, guava, melissa, millet, corn, nectarine, Panicum spp., peach, pupunha, rubber tree, soybean, sorghum, wheat, triticale and vine | 51 - 70 | 5.0 - 5.5 |
| Not tolerant: lettuce, endive, atemoya, beet, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, mango, passion fruit, strawberry, parsley and tomato. | 71 - 80 | 5.6 - 6.0 |
The use of lime first corrects soil acidity and neutralizes the toxic effect on plants of elements such as aluminum and manganese, when present in high levels. In addition, it stimulates microbial activity, improves biological nitrogen fixation, increases root growth and the availability of some nutrients, at a low cost compared to other agricultural inputs. Liming, for the reasons mentioned, is a fundamental practice for increasing and maintaining the productivity of most crops in acidic soils.
The incorporation of lime should be done, preferably, throughout the entire arable layer profile, so as to be as uniform as possible. Conventional soil preparation machines, such as plows and harrows and disc harrows, promote satisfactory incorporation, but with concentration of lime at the bottom of the plowing furrows. Disc harrows are also widely used in the incorporation process and do so more superficially than plows. Subsoilers and subsoilers incorporate lime irregularly, not being recommended for this purpose.
The combination of equipment and incorporation techniques, so far, is the practice that has provided the best results in the process of incorporating lime throughout the soil profile.
In acidity correction, soil pH is increased, as well as calcium and magnesium levels. However, soil acidification processes continue, as well as base extraction by crops and leaching of calcium and magnesium. The acidification process is slow and can take three to five years, or even more, to occur after lime application, thus requiring the need for a new application. Therefore, every three years the soil should be sampled and analyzed again to assess the need for lime reapplication.
Good lime has its effects on soil solution three months after application, a time in which only about 30% of the total applied has reacted and in which the soil has sufficient water for the expected reactions during this period.
