Limestone
What is limestone?
The limestone comes from the grinding of a calcium-rich sedimentary rock. According to its composition, it can be classified into different types: Calcitic (when it has less than 5% of magnesium), Magnesian (from 5 to 12% of magnesium) or Dolomitic (above 12% of magnesium).
It is a primary input in agricultural production, since it can improve the chemical and physical conditions of the soil. Among the various functions of limestone, we can highlight the ability to reduce soil acidity, increasing the pH and neutralizing aluminum, and agricultural crops, in general, develop better with a pH of around 5.5 to 6, 5. In addition to increasing the availability of most nutrients, such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, sulfur and boron.
How much lime is needed?
In order to recommend the amount of lime required to be applied, several factors must be observed, such as soil pH, base saturation and the amount of exchangeable aluminum, information that is available in the soil analysis. These parameters provide the professional with the basis for recommendation, however, we must also observe the PRNT of the limestone (Relative Power of Total Neutrality), the agricultural culture of interest and the need or not of magnesium in the soil, since it is possible to choose a source of limestone that also provides a greater amount of magnesium.
As stated at the beginning of this article, one of the key moments for liming is in the off-season of the agricultural crop of interest, since there is little demand for agricultural machinery and labor. In addition, after applying the concealer, there is a reaction period in the soil that varies according to the limestone PRNT.
On this off-season occasion, not only can limestone be applied, it is also the best time for correcting other nutrients in the soil, exonerating the producer from applying these at the time of sowing or after planting the crops. Among these nutrients, sulfur and boron.
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Sulfur
What is the function of sulfur?
Sulfur has a fundamental role in plant physiology, being a constituent of several proteins and is involved in the process of photosynthesis. This element, at insufficient levels, can impact the development of agricultural crops, especially when high productivity is sought. In addition, the export of sulfur in the soybean crop is high, reaching up to 15.4 kg per ton of grain produced, further reducing the levels of this nutrient in the soil when a fertilizer that provides adequate levels is not used (EMBRAPA SOJA, 2008 ).
There are several sources of sulfur on the market that can be applied to the soil, for example, simple superphosphate, ammonium sulfate and elemental sulfur, the latter needing a longer period between application and implantation of the crop of interest, since its reaction and availability in the soil occurs slowly, so the off-season is the most suitable time for this operation.
Boron
What is boron for?
Boron is an essential micronutrient that participates in the formation of tissues in the plant and is essential during the flowering period. According to data from Embrapa (2008), the export of boron can reach 77 grams per ton of grain produced. However, in the vast majority of soils, boron is available at levels lower than those required by plants. Thus, the importance of carrying out the correction of this nutrient in the off-season is emphasized.
Conclusion
The application of lime and fertilizers requires a level of investment that, compared to the benefits they can offer to the system and the productivity of the crop, become economically viable practices. It is worth mentioning that the physical and chemical diagnosis of the soil, through laboratory analysis, is extremely important to define the soil correction strategies, in addition to taking into account the export of nutrients by the previous cultivation and the expected yield for the next crop.
So stay tuned, the construction of high yields for the next soybean crop starts now!
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EMBRAPA, SOYBEAN. Soy production technologies - Central Region of Brazil - 2009 AND 2010. Embrapa Soja-Documents (INFOTECA-E), 2008.
