A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 87F. Winds light and variable..
Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Pelletized lime is made by granulating finely ground agricultural (ag) lime. It may be dolomitic or calcitic depending on the nature of the original limestone. The fine lime particles are bonded together with lignosulfonates during the pelletizing process. In general, the pelletized lime contains about 9% lignosulfonates.
Pelletized limestone is a product that has been on the market for many years. The price of the material on a per ton basis is considerably higher than bulk ag lime, so its use has mainly been confined to specialty markets. However, the product is becoming more commonly used in production agriculture. Some questions have been raised about recommended rates of this material and the speed at which it reacts compared to standard ag lime.
The recommended rates and the effect on soil pH of any agriculture lime product is related to the neutralizing value of the lime, which is a combination of the purity (calcium carbonate equivalent) and the fineness of grind (particle size). As these two properties of lime change, so does the recommended rate of lime and its effect on soil pH. The finer the lime particles and the higher the calcium carbonate equivalent, the more effective the lime and the lower the rate of lime needed to make the desired pH change.
Bulk ag lime sold in this area has a range of neutralizing values, but the better quality products will approach 100%. By law, suppliers of ag lime are required to supply you with the a “label” or test results of the lime they sell. If the neutralizing value of pelletized lime is similar to bulk lime, you would need the same amount of each product to do the job. Pelletized lime should be compared to other lime options the same as you would compare two bulk sources.
There is nothing magic about it that allows you to apply less than you would bulk lime, unless the neutralizing value is much higher than the bulk lime you are considering. Some might claim that pelletized lime is quicker. The speed of reaction (rate at which the lime will change the soil pH) is mainly a function of surface area of the lime particles and their contact with the soil.
The finer the grind of lime, the more the surface area, and the faster the reaction. Since pelletized lime is pelleted from finely ground lime, it is easy to assume that it will be faster reacting than bulk spread ag lime which has some larger, non-reactive particles as a part of its composition. However, this is not true.
Based on research from several states, it appears that the pelletized lime reacts no faster to raise the soil pH than good quality ag lime applied at recommended rates. In fact, some studies found the pelletized lime to have a slower rate of reaction. Field research from other states indicate the rate of reaction is about equal to ag lime. The slower than expected reaction of pelletized lime is probably due to two things: 1) the lignosulfonate binding, and 2) the distribution pattern. The lignosulfonate binding must break down by solubilization or microbial action before the lime is released to neutralize the soil acidity, which would delay the speed of reaction.
When the pelletized lime is spread, it is distributed on the soil in pellets and results in small concentrated zones (spots) of lime after the binder dissolves. The fine, reactive particles of ag lime, in contrast, are spread as more of a dust so that the lime is better distributed and not in concentrated spots. The bulk spreading method will allow the ag lime to contact a larger amount of the soil.
Pelletized lime is an excellent source of high quality lime that is much cleaner to work with and apply. However, you pay for the convenience and pelletized lime is not any better or quicker than bulk lime with similar neutralizing value.
If you need assistance comparing lime products, call the extension office.
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