General Knowledge - Basic General Knowledge - Discussion

What is liming? Explain it please.

Liming is the application of calcium- and magnesium-rich materials to soil in various forms, including marl, chalk, limestone, or hydrated lime. This neutralises soil acidity and increases activity of soil bacteria. However, oversupply may result in harm to plant life. Lime is a basic chemical, the effect of it makes the soil more basic thus making acidic soils neutral. The degree to which a given amount of lime per unit of soil volume will increase soil pH depends on the cation exchange capacity. Soils with low CEC will show a more marked pH increase than soils with high CEC. But the low-CEC soils will witness more rapid leaching of the added bases, and so will see a quicker return to original acidity unless additional liming is done. Over-liming is most likely to occur on soil which has low CEC, such as sand which is deficient in buffering agents such as organic matter and clay. Most acid soils are saturated with aluminium rather than hydrogen ions. The acidity of the soil is therefore a result of hydrolysis of aluminium. This concept of "corrected lime potential" to define the degree of base saturation in soils became the basis for procedures now used in soil testing laboratories to determine the "lime requirement" of soils.

Wow, thank you very much for the clear explanation @Guru.

The application of lime and other calcium fertilizers to the soil to eliminate excess acidity, harmful for many agricultural crops; a means of chemically improving acid soils. Soil liming is based on replacing ions of hydrogen and aluminum with ions of calcium and magnesium in the absorption complex of the soil. As a result of the neutralization of soil acidity and the increase in calcium content during liming, the vitality of useful microorganisms (for example, nodule bacteria and microorganisms that mineralize organic remains and humus) is strengthened, the soil is enriched with nutrient elements accessible to plants, and the physical properties of the soil are improved (structure, water permeability). Soil liming increases the effectiveness of organic and mineral fertilizers.

Liming is nothing but adding lemon juice to soil.

May I know what is liming?

What is liming?