Granular Liming Materials, Precision & the forgotten nutrient! Mark Tripney 14 th January 2015

Transcription

1 Granular Liming Materials, Precision & the forgotten nutrient! Mark Tripney 14 th January 2015

2 Liming Liming is the application of Calcium & Magnesium rich materials to soils in various forms. Liming benefits soil by neutralising acidity, improving texture and increasing the activity of soil microorganisms'.

3 The Limiting Factor The level of crop production can be no greater than that allowed by the most limiting of the essential growth factors Justus von Liebig

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5 Ideal Soil Composition Air, 25 Minerals, 45,Organic Matter 5 Water, 25 The soils Chemistry effects the Physics which determines the Biology

6 Calcium Essential constituent in Cell wall construction Strengthens plants physical structure helping -protect against insect & disease attack -more efficient use of sunlight -more efficient use of nutrients Reduces soil compaction by improving soil structure Adjusts/maintains soil ph

7 Up to 90% of the total cell Ca is in cell walls Ca deficiency results in cell disintegration

8 Number 3

9 Calcium Deficiency Tip Burn Internal

10 Calcium Deficiency Black Heart

11 Calcium Deficiency Potato IRS Apple Bitter Pit

12 Potato Trial Site Analysis

13 Potato Trials t/ha Control 6t/ha Gypsum 220kg/ha Granulated CaSO4

14 Moving Ca into Potatoes

15 Salt Effect in Glasshouses Gaps in Crop due to high salt levels, leading to wastage at harvest

16 Fullhouse- Butterhead lettuce Even final crop of better quality. Reduction of wastage which had been nearly 35% to almost zero.

17 Sulphur Structural Component of amino acids, proteins, vitamins & enzymes Required in similar amounts to Phosphate Deficiencies will affect growth and taste of crops Helps protect against insect attack Is key to efficient nitrogen use Missing link in quality crops; arable & grass

18 Sulphur Emissions

19 Granulated Lime Application Benefits Effective & rapid Increase in ph for this years crop Optimise Fertiliser Efficiency 100% of product available to the soil Precision Farming-Spot & Variable Rate Application Low application rates Little & often Maintenance Spreading minimal if any weather Limitations

20 Reactivity Test Quantifying the effectiveness & speed of reaction of a liming material. The decomposition of the liming material in hydrochloric acid. Expressed as a % compared with pure Calcium Carbonate.

21 Lime Effectiveness Particles Under 0.5 mm 100% Particles Over 0.5mm 50% Particles Over 1mm 25% (NV is relative effectiveness compared to pure Calcium Oxide (CaO))

22 Lime Regulations 2014 Calcium Lime Standard 42 NV Fine 50 NV Percentage Sieve Size Sieve Size mm 2mm 80 1mm 1mm mm 0.315mm mm Mag Lime 3% MgO Standard 45 NV, Fine 52 NV Dolomitic Lime 12% MgO Standard 48 NV, Fine 54 NV Effective from June 7 th Full EU Harmonisation not until 2017 Producers meeting regulations can label EC Fertilisers Lime There is one Lime Granulation Company that produces to the Fine standard in the UK and is industry assured

23 Nutrient Availability

24 The Fate Of Phosphorus

25 Fertiliser Efficiency Soil acidity Nitrogen Phosphate Potash % Fertilser wasted Extremely acid 4.5 ph Very strong acid 5.0 ph Strongly acid 5.5 ph Medium acid 6.0 ph Neutral 7.0 ph 30% 23% 33% 71.34% 53% 34% 52% 53.67% 77% 48% 77% 32.69% 89% 52% 100% 19.67% 100% 100% 100% 00.0%

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27 Spreader Calibration Products spread checked regularly by

28 Clubroot Control

29 Root Development

30 WOSR Scotland

31 Mapping

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34 Granulated Products Part of a complete liming service Spread up to 36M with conventional spreaders Band, placement & combine drilling options Apply to growing crops (does not stick to the leaf) 600 kg Bags for easy storage & handling Very low levels of dust when spreading near sensitive areas More affordable transport to remote areas Spread small areas & paddocks More bespoke products in development

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37 Club Root Trial Broadcast 500 kg/ha Placement application 250 kg/ha

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39 Flocculation is important because water moves mostly in large pores between aggregates. Also, plant roots grow mainly between aggregates.

40 In all but the sandiest soils, dispersed clays plug soil pores and impede water infiltration and soil drainage.