Liming a Field: How Much Lime Per Hectare?

Liming: doses – practical guidance

Are you looking for the answer to the question what lime dose per hectare of field is appropriate? Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer of the selected fertiliser. It’s wise to do this because each product has a specific concentration of calcium carbonate. This has to be taken into account when using a lime fertiliser. Too large a dose of lime will destroy and dry out the soil. On the other hand, if there is not enough lime, the ground will remain acidic and the plants will be weak.

If you do not know how much lime to use per hectare, read the instructions that come with the selected fertilisers. Talk to people with more experience in fertilisers, for example the manufacturer’s representatives or the people from the local farming consultancy. What does the proper dosage of lime per hectare look like in practice? Below we present some useful information.

How much granulated lime per hectare?

Calcium carbonate can be found in various forms. One of them is concentrated lime in granules; its dosage depends on such factors as:

• the calcium concentration in the product,
• the density and permeability of soil,
• the soil’s pH level,
• the soil requirements of the plants to be cultivated in the limed area.

How to use granulated lime; how much per hectare? For light soils with a neutral or slightly acidic pH level, it is enough to use 500 kg to 1 tonne of concentrated fertiliser, which must be mixed with soil immediately after crops are harvested. If the soil is heavy and strongly acidic, you will need even 3 tonnes of lime per 1 hectare on average. Specific recommended quantities of granulated lime, doses, and the method of application can be found in the given manufacturer’s brochure.

Chalk lime: dosage

In place of dolomite lime, many farmers choose powdered or granulated chalk. How much fertiliser per hectare? Some manufacturers of ground fertiliser chalk recommend using 0.3 tonne to 1.5 tonnes per hectare of field, depending on the soil pH. A dusty, extremely lightweight meal can also be mixed with soil in amounts ranging from 1 tonne for permeable and slightly acidic soils to as much as 12 tonnes for soils that are heavy and strongly acidic. For granulated chalk, these values range from 0.3 tonnes for slightly acidic soils to 1.5 tonnes for heavy and strongly acidic soils.

Carbonate chalk lime: how much per hectare – guidelines

In retail and wholesale stores offering fertilisers, you will find carbonate lime in different variants. You can choose between lime in the form of ground rock, powdered chalk, or concentrated granules. Please note that natural loose lime penetrates into the soil faster than granulates. However, farmers have to use larger quantities of natural loose lime fertiliser per hectare to adjust the ground’s pH level.

Granulated and dolomite magnesium lime: dosage

Low-magnesium soils can be enriched by using granulated magnesium lime. How much per hectare? The median value is 500 kg to 1500 kg, depending on the impoverishment and acidity of the soil. Calcium-and-magnesium granulates should be applied on a one-off basis after crops are harvested, or for several consecutive years if the soil is strongly acidic. If you have any doubts on how much magnesium lime to use per hectare, consult an expert from the local farming consultancy or the manufacturer’s technical advisor.

Another alternative to lime in the form of granulate can be loose, natural dolomite lime. How much per hectare? The rule is simple: the lighter the soil is, the less lime you need. Acidic and heavy soils require up to 4 tonnes of fertiliser. Light, slightly acidic soils need 1–2 tonnes of dolomite lime on average.

Oxide lime: dosage

The term ‘oxide lime’ stands for a fertiliser that mainly contains calcium oxide, so burnt lime. It is a strong formulation that quickly adjusts the soil’s pH. How much oxide lime per 1 hectare of field is recommended by manufacturers? For light and medium soils, the lime doses per hectare range from 0.4 tonnes to 1 tonnes. Heavy, acidic soils require around 1.2 tonnes of fertiliser per hectare. Of course, a more specific amount of the required lime can only be determined based on a soil sample.

Every experienced farmer knows that oxide lime should be used with caution, as it is caustic. So always carefully analyse how many tonnes of lime per hectare you can use safely and without the risk that your soil will become impoverished. Check precisely how much lime to use per hectare to avoid damage in the form of weak crops that are quick to rot.

How much lime per 1 hectare: what you should remember

Soil liming is a routine that should be carried out every few years to maintain a high quality of yield. However, the quantity of fertiliser should always be carefully analysed by testing the condition of the soil. More information on how much lime to use per hectare and why it is so important can be found on our blog.