More accurate liming calculation increases corn productivity by 50%

Researchers from the Federal University of Lavras (Ufla) in Minas Gerais have developed a practical method for estimating the need for liming based on the chemical attributes of the soil and the composition of the limestone. The result of ten years of study and nearly 30 years of experience by Professor Silvino Guimarães Moreira from the School of Agricultural Sciences of Lavras (Esal/Ufla), with studies on limestone, the method takes into account the relationship between calcium, magnesium, and soil pH. In this way, it allows for the estimation of specific doses for two depths: 0 to 20 cm and 0 to 40 cm—with the latter being the main focus of the work. By considering the correction in deeper layers, the methodology favors the improvement of subsoil fertility and expands the volume explored by the roots. The study has just been published in the international journal Soil & Tillage Research, one of the most prestigious international publications in the field of soil science. The ...