Nutrition Farming Podcast pH Power - Mastering Management of Soil Acidity and Alkalinity
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Aug 11, 2023 Deep dive into soil pH mechanics and how acidity and alkalinity shape plant and microbe interactions. Practical on‑farm pH testing and step-by-step strategies to reduce acidity are discussed. Detailed guidance on choosing and calculating lime, dolomite, gypsum and basalt rock dust rates is provided. The episode also explores using microbes, mycorrhizae and Bacillus blends to improve rhizosphere resilience.
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Base Saturation Ratios That Work Best
- Base saturation percentages (Ca, Mg, K, Na, H) determine pH and crop response; ideal mid-range soils: ~68% Ca, 12% Mg, 3–5% K, <1.5% Na.
- 10% hydrogen on exchange sites gives the 6.4 pH sweet spot.
Choose Alkalizers Based On Soil Cation Balance
- Don't blindly apply dolomite; magnesium raises pH ~1.4× more than calcium, so choose lime, dolomite or gypsum based on your soil test.
- Adding calcium can displace magnesium and may actually lower pH by correcting ratios.
How To Calculate Amendment Rates From ppm
- Calculate exact amendment rates from ppm deficits: 1 ppm ≈ 1 kg/acre; use dolomite for Mg, gypsum for S and Ca, and lime for remaining Ca.
- Example: 0.5 t/acre dolomite, 0.33 t/acre gypsum, ~1.6 t/acre lime (multiply ×2.5 for ha).