Lime also improves soil aggregation and tilth, resulting in greater root penetration and proliferation, and it can increase symbiotic bacteria populations in the soil. Lime increases the cation exchange capacity (CEC), thereby reducing leaching losses of nutrients such as potassium (K), Ca, and Mg. Therefore, properly using lime is one of the single-most important inputs in successful wildlife food plot management. Benefits from liming food plots include: improved soil properties (physical, chemical, and biological) increased available plant nutrients increased symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation by legumes and increased uptake of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and other minerals. Excess soil acidity can constrain soil productivity for wildlife food plots. Soils in Mississippi are typically acidic in nature. This publication emphasizes the importance of using lime and proper fertilizer to adjust soil pH and improve food plot performance. What’s more, if the soil pH is low (below 6.0), a significant portion of the fertilizer cannot be used by the forage, which means you’re wasting money. The information provided from a routine soil test is critical to maximizing forage growth, and it can even save you money! Rather than simply applying a general fertilizer at planting, you can provide the correct amounts of nutrients needed for specific forages. Make no mistake-this is the best money you can spend on your food plot. The Mississippi State University Extension Service provides a soil test for the minimal cost of $8. Often, hunters neglect the most simple, but productive, step when preparing a food plot-taking a soil test. Research has shown time and time again that nutrition is the key for improving deer quality. A well-managed food plot can generate thousands of pounds of high-quality forage throughout the year. Food plots have become a very common management practice for game species-and for good reason. Even if it didn't last and I knew how long it would, I'd be more likely to use it than not knowing exactly whats going on.Every spring and fall, Mississippi hunters take to the field to plant food plots for deer and other wildlife. Wish the site had hard facts on the product like this. 6.0 goes to 6.5 then down to 6.0 again? If not, is the maintenance rate of 5 lbs/k needed to maintain?Īlso, anyone that can confirm a benefit to applying 12 lbs soul-cal and 38 lbs calcitic lime if soil test calls for 50 lbs calcium carbonate/1000 to raise quickly and sustain pH longer? I have read that it can work as fast as 2 weeks, although I am assuming sandy soils and aeration.Ĭan anyone confirm through practice that pH change does not last? Soil tests done 5 months after application and 12 months after? If I use Solu-cal at 12 lbs/1000 amendment rate, do I need to do this every year to maintain the pH change? ex. If I use Solu-Cal to raise pH, from what I've read (on this site, don't see info on solu-cal site) the pH will correct sooner and diminish again in under a year. I have done a search and while people remark on Solu-cal's short-lived pH adjustment I haven't seen any clear explanation.
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