SRA-LGAREC

Published by the SRA-La Granja Agricultural Research and Extension Center La Granja, La Carlota City Negros Occidental, Philippines Phone/Fax (034) 735-0132 www.sra-lgarec.net e-mail: lgarec@yahoo.com Vol. 7 No. 1 January 2005

UPDATES

LIMING INCREASES SUGAR YIELD

pH is the degree of acidity and alkalinity of the soil with values ranging from 1-14. Soils are classified acidic if the pH falls below 7; alkaline if otherwise, and pH 7 is neutral. Sugarcane tolerates acidic soils but grows best at pH 6.2-7.8. The continuous planting of sugarcane as monocrop makes soils very acidic. Why does the soil become acidic? 1. 2. 3. continuous application of fertilizers containing ammonium decomposition of organic materials crop removal, leaching and soil erosion that depletes calcium and magnesium in soils

the soil. At least 50% should pass through the 100 mesh sieve or all lime particles should pass the 20 mesh sieve. Neutralizing value of some liming materials Calcium Oxide CaO 179% Calcium Hydroxide Ca(OH) 2 136% Ca-Mg Carbonate CaMg(CO 3 )2 109% Calcium carbonate CaCO 3 100% Calcium silicate CaSiO 3 86% Magnesium Oxide MgO 250% Mg Hydroxide Mg(OH) 2 172% Dolomite CaCO 3 MgCO 3 153% How much, when and how is lime applied? Apply lime based on soil analysis. Overliming reduces the solubility of other nutrients like boron and zinc. Dolomitic lime is not recommended for soils with high magnesium (>150ppm), which is highly toxic to sugarcane crop. Lime can be applied manually or by means of a mechanical spreader. a. In plant cane: 1. broadcast evenly all over the area before plowing, or 2. broadcast in the furrow before planting, or 3. spread lime in between furrows after planting

The addition of lime raises soil pH and offers the following benefits: a. b. c. d. e. f. Increases level of plant available phosphorus Decreases the toxic amounts of micro-elements such as aluminum, manganese and iron Enhances nitrification Increases rate of N-fixation Improves structure of heavy soils Makes potassium more efficient

Bombio, Talam and Navarro (2003), in their experiment in Guimbalaon and Manapla sandy clay loam soils, stressed that the addition of 3-6 tons of lime/ha to acidic soils will increase cane yield by 812 tons with an added income of P6,000-10,000 per hectare. Physical guarantees of lime The effectivity of liming materials depend on the solubility of its chemical compounds. Calcium oxide is more soluble than calcium carbonate, Calcic limestone is more soluble than dolomitic limestone while calcium silicate is the least soluble. Good quality lime has a neutralizing value not less than 95%. Finer lime particles react faster in

b. In ratoon crop: 1. spread lime between furrows after

stubble shaving
For more information, check our website, contact our experts or read more on the following: Bombio, R.M.; G.L. Talam and N.D. Navarro. 2003. SRA_LGAREC Annual Report. Talam,G.L. and W.Cosico. 2000. Field Evaluation of the SRA lime recommendation for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn.) grown on Manapla sandy clay loam. M.S. Thesis, UPLB.

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