Chapter Four Soil Fertility and Management

Question 1

1. Which one of the following is not a major nutrient in regards soil fertility?
   A) Potassium
   B) Calcium
   C) Copper
   D) Molybdenum

Answer 1

Potassium and Calcium are major nutrients.

Copper and Molybdenum are minor nutrients.

Question 2

What does the “S” stand for on a fertiliser bag?
A) Sensitive
B) Supergrow
C) Sulphur
D) Selenium

Answer 2

C) Sulphur

Question 3

Yellowing of leaves between the veins is a deficiency symptom for all of the below nutrients expect for ONE. Select which nutrient it is NOT a symptom for?

A) Manganese
B) Iron
C) Copper
D) Molybdenum

Answer 3

Copper

Question 4

Grass that is excessively high in potassium can cause a serious problem for cattle grazing this grass. What is this problem?

Answer 4

Reduced uptake of magnesium in animals = grass tetany in animals.Grass Tetany is an acute Magnesium Deficiency in the blood in lactating cows which is potentially fatal.

Question 5

Some soils are high in the mineral Molybdenum. This can cause a deficiency of which other mineral in cattle grazing these soils?

Answer 5

Increases the availability of the trace element Molybdenum which in turn reduces uptake of copper for animals

Question 6

Which ONE of the following options listed is NOT a function of Phosphorus?
A) It improves frost and disease resistance
B) It speeds up root and shoot development in seedlings
C) It encourages early grass growth
D) It gives higher yields and improves the quality of crops

Answer 6

A) It improves frost and disease resistance

Question 7

In a bag of 18:6:12 what does the 6 stand for? Name that nutrient?

Answer 7

Potassium (K) I think

Question 8

. What is the target index for Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)?
A) Index 1
B) Index 2
C) Index 3
D) Index 4

Answer 8

C) Index 3

Question 9

List TWO benefits of soil sampling?

Answer 9

Apply nutrients where they are required
Avoid wasting nutrients by applying them where they are not needed
Avoid causing a pollution risk by applying excessive nutrients to a field where they are not required.
Achieve maximum growth rates by having optimal soil fertility i.e. a soil pH of 6.2 - 6.5, and Index 3 for Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K).
There are also significant economic gains to be made by having soil at the correct level for pH, P & K as you optimise the efficiency of all nutrients therefore maximising growth rates for whatever crop you are growing, grass, cereal, beet, vegetables etc. Teagasc research shows by simply correcting the soil pH you can grow 20% more grass.

Question 10

Select the only ONE correct statement regarding Magnesium from the following four options.
A) Magnesium deficiency is most likely to occur in light, sandy soils and the risk is greatest in warm and dry conditions.

B) Magnesium deficiency is most likely to occur in heavy clay soils and the risk is greatest in warm and dry conditions.

C) Magnesium deficiency is most likely to occur in light, sandy soils and the risk is greatest in cold and wet conditions.

D) Magnesium deficiency is most likely to occur in heavy clay soils and the risk is greatest in cold and wet conditions.

Answer 10

C) Magnesium deficiency is most likely to occur in light, sandy soils and the risk is greatest in cold and wet conditions.

1.Magnesium deficiency is more likely to occur in the following soils:
2. Light sands and gravels
3. Acid soils
4. Soils with high potassium content
5. Cold wet conditions will also induce a magnesium deficiency. Crops in drought conditions also can
show signs of magnesium deficiency.

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding Nitrogen is NOT TRUE?
A) 79% of the air we breathe is composed of Nitrogen
B) Spreading Nitrogen makes crops more susceptible to disease
C) A common symptom of Nitrogen deficiency is yellowing of the leaves
D) Nitrogen speeds up the rate of maturity of the plant

Answer 11

B) Spreading Nitrogen makes crops more susceptible to disease

Question 12

Nitrogen fixation is a process where bacteria in the root nodules of plants can take in Nitrogen gas from the air and convert it to a form of nitrogen that the plant can use.
Is this statement True or False?
A) True
B) False

Answer 12

A) True

Question 13

The following sentence best describes which process of the Nitrogen Cycle?
“Ammonium must be converted by bacteria to nitrate in order to be absorbed by the plant”

A) Mineralisation
B) Volatilisation
C) Nitrification
D) Denitrification

Answer 13

C) Nitrification

Question 14

I have spread lime this week, I can spread slurry in ………….

A) 3- 6 months
B) 3-6 weeks
C) 1 week
D) No issue

Answer 14

A) 3- 6 months

Question 15

List TWO harmful effects of over liming the soil?

Answer 15

When a soil is over limed, some crops may suffer from lack of plant foods such as P, B, Fe and
Mg.
*Crown Rot, a disease of beet, and Brown Heart, a disease of turnips is caused by B deficiency.
*These diseases generally occur on alkaline or over limed soils.
*Grey speck in cereals is caused by Mg deficiency and this is caused by too much lime.

Question 16

Give TWO advantages of liming the soil?

Answer 16

Improves plant root development
*Improves soil structure
*Stimulates the availability of soil N,P, K and other nutrients
* Increases earthworm activity
*Improves clover growth
*Improves the uptake of most trace nutrients

Question 17

Select the only correct statement from the following options?

A) The general recommendation is to lime 10% of the farm every year but do not apply more than 7.5 ton of lime per hectare per year.

B) The general recommendation is to lime 20% of the farm every year but do not apply more than 7.5 ton of lime per hectare per year.

C) The general recommendation is to lime 10% of the farm every year but do not apply more than 5 ton of lime per hectare per year.

D) The general recommendation is to lime 20% of the farm every year but do not apply more than 5 ton of lime per hectare per year.

Answer 17

The general recommendation is to lime 20% of the farm every year in order to maintain a
good pH. – No more than 7.5 tonnes/Ha In one application

Question 18

A farm in county Cavan requires capacity for __________ of organic fertiliser storage?

A) 20 weeks
B) 22 weeks
C) 16 weeks
D) 18 weeks

Answer 18

B) 22 Weeks.

Question 19

Urea is a relatively cheap form of nitrogen but there are situations in which its use is not advisable. Give TWO situations where it is not advisable to use urea?

Answer 19

It is not safe to combine with seed as it can severely inhibit germination. It needs
to be applied on moist soil to be fully effective.
*It also gives the best results when used in warm conditions.
*Urea should not be applied to soils which have been recently limed
*Urea is a cheap form of nitrogen.
*It is often found to be as good as C.A.N but in some cases is found to be less
efficient.
*Urea-like nitrate fertiliser is easily leached when first applied to the soil.
*This would be a big disadvantage if heavy rain were to follow the application.
*After application, urea is rapidly converted to ammonium carbonate, this may lead
to losses at or near the surface of the soil or do damage to young roots or
germinating seeds.
*This is the reason for caution about including urea in compound fertilisers.

Question 20

List TWO advantages of using LESS (low emission slurry spreading)
Slurry spreading in comparison to a conventional splash plate method?

Answer 20

Cattle slurry is a valuable source of N, P & K produced on farm.
*The nitrogen (N) in cattle slurry is in the ammonia form similar to N in urea fertilisers and as
such can be easily lost to the atmosphere.
*Slurry application techniques such as trailing hose or trailing shoe reduce the surface area of the
slurry compared to the splash plate thus reducing the loss of N as ammonia to the air

Advantages:

Less surface covered in slurry also means less odour and grass contamination.

Better graze outs of the paddocks by the livestock.

Better soil conditions to apply slurry on heavier /wetter soil types.

Precise and even application of slurry across the spread width.

Question 21

List FOUR different common types of wastes from farms for which storage facilities must be provided under the Nitrate Regulations?

Answer 21

Livestock manure.
Daily washings.
Soiled Water.
Effluents from dungsteads
Effluents from farmyard manure pits
Effluents from silage pits.

Question 22

Which ONE of the following four options is NOT a potential consequence of mid-season organic manure applications?

A) Reduced risk of pollution
B) Silage quality problems
C) Herbage rejection by grazing animals
D) Increased Nitrogen losses

Answer 22

Increased Nitrogen losses

Question 23

List TWO good practices a farmer should follow when spreading slurry to get the most nitrogen value?

Answer 23

Apply in Spring. Aim to have 75% spread by end of April.
Apply during cool, damp, overcast or even misty conditions.

Avoid applying during sunny warm weather.

Question 24

. How many weeks slurry storage capacity is required in your county?

County _____________________ Week storage _____________________

Answer 24

Kildare and its 16 weeks.

Question 25

Give an example of an artificial nitrogen fertiliser and give one advantage of its use?

Example of an artificial nitrogen fertiliser _________________________

One advantage of its use __________________________________________________________

Answer 25

Nitrate Nitrogen - most readily available form of artificial nitrogen fertilizer for plant roots. Very easily washed out of soil. Quick acting and used as top dressing on growing crops.

Question 26

A step to improving soil fertility is knowing what pH your fields at and correcting them if not at the optimum pH of 6.3 - 6.5 for grassland. One way to improve your pH status is by applying Lime to the land.
Outline in detail FIVE benefits of applying lime.

Answer 26

Advantages of applying Lime:

Improves plant root development
*Improves soil structure
*Stimulates the availability of soil N,P, K and other nutrients
* Increases earthworm activity
*Improves clover growth
*Improves the uptake of most trace nutrients

Question 27

Soil Fertility is key for adequate ——

Answer 27

Plant nutrition. Crops require a balanced supply of nutrients throughout the growing season. When temperature, soil pH and moisture supply are favourable plant growth largely depends on the supply of essential elements.

Question 28

Fertilizers are classed as?

Answer 28

Major (minerals N (Nitrogen) P (Phosphorus) & K(Potassium) ) or trace (B, Cu, Mn or Zn) depending on the quantity required by plants.

S stands for Sulphur.

Question 29

What are major and minor elements?

Answer 29

There are 17 essential elements needed for plant growth
which must be available to the soil.
*Major Elements – Known as Macronutrients – are needed
in large quantities.
*6 are used in relatively large quantities
*Minor Elements – Known as trace or Micronutrients.
Needed in smaller quantities.

Question 30

What are Plant Nutrients?

Answer 30

*Plant nutrients are chemical elements that are held in the
soil, water and air.
*They provide food for plant growth.
*Plants absorb nutrients, in the form of compounds that
are dissolved in water, through their root systems.

They are Carbon Dioxide (Co2), Ozygen (02) Hydrogen (ho2). Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen are found in water and air.

Question 31

What do nutrients do?

Answer 31

Nutrients provide ‘food’ for plants.
They are necessary for:
Healthy plant growth
Cell construction
Flower and fruit production
The formation of strong root systems

Question 32

What is ‘Chlorosis’?

Answer 32

Yellowing of leaves – Called ‘chlorosis’ - Chlorosis is a
condition where plant leaves lose their lush green colour and
turn pale green or yellow. It’s a sign that the plant is unable to
produce sufficient chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for
photosynthesis. Without enough chlorophyll, the plant’s ability
to convert sunlight into energy is compromised

Question 33

Table of Major Nutrients:

Answer 33

Question 34

Table of minor nutrients:

Answer 34

Question 35

Plant Nutrients which can move are called

Answer 35

‘Mobile’. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are always mobile nutrients. Plant nutrients which cannot move are called immobile.

Deficiencies of immobile nutrients tend to show first on immobile leaves. Calcium and Boron are always immobile nutrients.

Sulphur, Chloride, Copper, manganese, iron and molybdenum are usually immobile but can move under certain conditions - possibly when there is less nitrogen available.

Question 36

What are the signs of major nutrient deficiency?

Answer 36

Question 37

What are the signs of minor nutrient deficiency?

Answer 37

Question 38

What does Phosphorus (P) do:

Answer 38

Vital function in cell metabolism – concentrated in younger parts of the plant.
◦ Never Recover – Permanently stunted
◦ Is necessary for plant growth and cell division
◦ Is necessary for root and tiller development
◦ Speeds up root and shoot development in seedlings
◦ Encourages early grass growth
P deficiency:
◦ Stunted crops with a light green to purple or blue colour
◦ Better grasses and clover to die out
◦ Reduced animal performance
◦ Most of phosphorus supply in soil is tied up chemically – unavailable phosphorus
◦ Available phosphorus in the soil is mainly dependent on fertiliser/manure application
◦ Soil pH important for P availability (6.3 - 6.5)
◦ P has very poor mobility in soil –closer it is placed to growth plant
◦ Uptake is low in cold springs

Question 39

What does Potassium (K) do:

Answer 39

Improves water uptake
◦ Improves transport and storage of carbohydrates
◦ Improves frost and disease resistance
◦ Increase the amount of clover in pastures
◦ Counteracts the damaging effects of excessive nitrogen
K deficiency:
◦ Leaf edges and tips scorched – Barley – Most susceptible cereal to potassium deficiency
◦ Cereals produce a lot of surplus weak tillers
◦ Plant is shortened
Excessive K:
◦ Plants have the capacity to take up excessive amount of K
◦ Reduced uptake of magnesium in animals = grass tetany in animals
◦ Better to apply in late autumn
K in soils:
◦ Higher in heavy clay soils
◦ Sandy and peaty soils can be low in potassium
◦ K is slow moving in soil so only a small part is available to the plant.

The main reserve of potassium in soils is the clay
minerals but only a small part of this is available
to plants (about 1-5%).
*In the soil, Potassium is released slowly and the
amount immediately available to crops is quite
small.
*Movement of potassium in soil is slow and losses in
drainage water is small except on very light soils that
have been heavily manured.
*Heavy clay soils have the highest level of potassium.
*Sandy and peaty soils can be low in potassium so
annual application of potash may be necessary.
*Calcium-rich soils are also naturally low in
potassium. But if farmed well over a number of years
they generally build up satisfactory potassium
reserves.

Question 40

Give the Grazing Ground and Silage Ground for Potassium? K advice and grassland.

Answer 40

Question 41

What is Potash?

Answer 41

Muriate of Potash (MOP). The chemical name for this is Potassium Chloride, a compound that contains
50% potassium (K). This is the cheapest and most commonly used form of straight potassium.

Fertilisers P and K are required in lower quantities and less frequently than fertiliser N.
*Timing of application is less critical when compared to fertiliser N.
*Accurate P and K recommendations can be only given after soil analysis.
*Soil analysis results enable fertiliser types and rates to be selected depending on soil levels P and
K.
*Guessing can be expensive and can lead to less than optimum grass yields and result in
damage to the environment.
*Have intensively managed grassland soils analysed every 3 to 4 years.

Question 42

P & K Off takes Grass Silage table

Answer 42

Question 43

Phosphate (P) and (K) is?

Answer 43

Fertilizer. Fertilizer P & K are required in lower quantities and less frequently than fertilizer N. Timing of application is less critical when compared to Fertlizer N.

Accurate P & K recommendations can only be given after soil analysis.

Question 44

Why are P and K requirements lower?

Answer 44

Because P and K are returned to the soil in the dung and urine
of grazing animals the requirements for fertiliser P and K are
much lower for grazing swards than for swards cut for silage.
*In the grazing situation P is more important than K.
*To minimize the risk of Grass Tetany K should not be
applied early in the grazing season or late in the grazing
season.
*Always adjust fertiliser P and K rates appropriately when
slurry is used.
*The index is related to the response achieved by adding P and
K.

Question 45

What does Nitrogen (N) do:

Answer 45

Nitrogen is one of the most important fertilisers in
farming.
*Without it, plants would not flourish at all.
*It helps the development of the leaves and stems.
*Plants lacking in nitrogen are yellowish in colour.
*Those with adequate nitrogen are dark green and
healthy-looking.

It is denoted commonly by scientists, farmers and growers as
N.
*When you see the letter N on its own in this book and on
fertiliser bags you should recognise it as nitrogen.
*While the element N cannot be broken down into constituents
it can combine with other substances to form what are called
compounds.

Different forms of N are
1. Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3 -1 nitrogen + 3 oxygen)
2. Ammonium Nitrogen (NH4 -1 nitrogen + 4 hydrogen)
3. Ammonia Nitrogen (NH3 -1 nitrogen + 3 hydrogen)
*The most available forms of nitrogen compounds are nitrates and ammonium.
*These compounds form the basis of all the forms of nitrogen fertilisers.

• Nitrogen as N2 gas is not usable by plants.
• N2 gas must be converted to one or other of the usable forms to become available to plants.

Question 46

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

Answer 46

The Nitrogen Cycle is the term given to the process of recycling N in the soil. It is the primary means by which nitrogen is converted into forms usable by higher plants are
as follows:

1. Fixation by bacteria and other micro-organisms living on the roots of legume plants
   (clovers, peas and beans).
2. Fixation by free-living soil micro-organisms e.g. Azotobacter
3. Fixation as one of the oxides of nitrogen by atmospheric electrical discharges (thunderstorms).
4. Manufacture of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers to produce Urea, CAN etc

The four main processes are:
1. Decomposition – The breakdown of plant litter into humus
2. Mineralisation – The conversion of organic N to mineral N
3. Nitrification – The conversion of Ammonium Nitrogen to Nitrate Nitrogen
4. Uptake – The uptake of Nitrate Nitrogen by the plant and its conversion into plant proteins

Question 47

What upsets the N cycle?

Answer 47

*Poor soil conditions upset and break down the N cycle.
*Losses of N also occur from the cycle.
*Leaching of NO3 in water especially under very wet conditions or escape of NH3 – N gas
(Ammonia Gas) into the air.
*This is called volatilisation and occurs when the soil dries out rapidly.

Question 48

What does excess and deficient Nitrogen do?

Answer 48

To sum up, nitrogen used in the right quantities greatly increases the yields of crops.
But if used in excess it can drastically reduce the quality of some crops.

*A deficiency of N causes plants to be pale in colour and drastically reduces yields from what
might normally be expected.
*Plants also tend to mature and go to seed prematurely.
*On the other hand, excess nitrogen causes plants to be dark in colour, slow to come to maturity
and more prone to disease.

This is also the case for grass either for grazing or silage.
*In other crops where the most valuable part of the crop is the grain (e.g. barley) or the root, (e.g.
beet) too much growth of the leaf/stem may affect yield and quality.
1. Stimulates tillering in cereals: This effect is frequently observed and may lead to an increase
in yields.
2. Increases the risk of lodging in cereals: The more generous growth of stems makes some
cereal crops more liable to be lodged. The use of short strawed varieties of cereals and growth
regulators can help reduce lodging.
3. Delays Maturity: Increased vegetative growth prolongs the length of the plant’s life and so
the ripening process is delayed. This leads to increased yields but care has to be taken with late
sown crops as ripening may be delayed too much.

Makes crops more susceptible to disease: Luscious growth favours the spread of fungal diseases. Examples of
this would include potato blight and leaf diseases such as mildew in cereals.
5. Lowers Quality: Excessive nitrogen in malting barley may increase the nitrogen content of the grain which results
in the malting quality being lowered. In silage too much nitrogen in the grass leads to poor preservation
(Lactobacillus). In potatoes the main effect of nitrogen is to increase the tuber size, which tends to reduce the dry
matter content and leads to ‘watery’ potatoes of lower quality.

Question 49

What does Magnesium (Mg) do? Explain MG defieciency?

Answer 49

Importance to crops and animals
In plants, magnesium has one important function, it is the metal atom around which the
chlorophyll molecule is split. Shortage of magnesium causes chlorophyll to be deficient and so
reduces photosynthetic efficiency. This means the plant growth will be badly affected.

Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
1. The main symptom of magnesium deficiency is yellowing between the veins of older leaves
2. The two most susceptible crops to magnesium deficiency are potatoes and sugar beat
3. Cereals can also be seriously affected
4. Vegetables and fruits are also susceptible.

A Grass diet, especially in spring, does not usually satisfy the magnesium demands of cows due either
to low levels in soil/grass meaning poor absorption levels from grass by the animal.
It is necessary to supply a source of magnesium to cows in spring to prevent hypo magnesia (grass
tetany).
Occurrence in different soil types
1. Magnesium deficiency is more likely to occur in the following soils:
2. Light sands and gravels
3. Acid soils
4. Soils with high potassium content
5. Cold wet conditions will also induce a magnesium deficiency. Crops in drought conditions also can
show signs of magnesium deficiency.

Question 50

What does Sulphur (S) do?

Answer 50

Importance to plants and animals
*Sulphur is vitally important in the production of essential amino
acids (the building blocks from which protein is made).
*On tillage crops fairly large amounts are required ranging from
15kg/ha for cereals to about 30kg/ha for oilseed rape.
*On grassland apply 15kg/ha/year for grazing ground apply
15kg/ha/cut for silage swards.
*Be careful not to over apply S as it can reduce the uptake of trace
elements such as Cu and Se.

Question 51

Deficiency symptoms of Sulphor (S)?

Answer 51

Deficiency symptoms are uncommon but in extreme
cases, you would see:
-Bright yellow colour over the whole leaf extremely
stunted plants
Occurrence in different soil types
The soils most likely to show deficiencies are sandy,
free-draining soils with low organic matter content.
Sulphur is now a more important nutrient as there is
very little supplied through rainfall for example 3 to
5 kg S/ha/year.
Select a fertiliser that contains S and apply as
recommended.

Question 52

What does Soil PH regulate?

Answer 52

Soil pH regulates the availability of both major and minor nutrients.

*It is essential to maintain a soil pH 6.3 to 6.5 for grassland and tillage crops. For example, soil PH availability is reduced on acidic soils (pH<6.0).

Question 53

What is target PH for Grazing/Grass Silage?

Answer 53

PH 6.3.

Question 54

What is Lime?

Answer 54

Lime is a fertiliser.
*It is just as important as any other
fertiliser.
*Without lime other fertilisers fail to
work properly.
*When we think of lime, we should
always think of calcium. Calcium is a
chemical element. All liming materials
contain calcium, which is bonded to
some other elements to give us the
finished product we call lime.
*Lime is essential for good crops and
good grass, but lime cannot take the
place of Nitrogen, Phosphate, and
Potassium which are also essential.
*A fertile soil has the right amounts and
balance of all the plant foods.
*Liming cannot cure a deficiency of
nitrogen, phosphate and potash.

Question 55

Sources of Limestone?

Answer 55

1.Ground Limestone
Finely ground to react with soils

*Most effective
* Apply based on Soil Test
* Application rate based on soil pH
* Most Cost-effective
*Speed of Actively
*Quality
* Fine lime works faster (35%) <0.15mm
* Coarse lime work over time (65%) <3.35mm

2. Magnesium Limestone
   Higher neutralizing value /slower to react / Use on Mg deficient
   soils
3. Granulated Liming Products
   ◦ Reacts very fast / Similar to Fertilisers

Finely ground limestone (<150 microns)
* No. of Products on the market
* 6.5 times more expensive
* Granular Product
* 100% plant available
* Lower application rates
* Fast acting to reduce soil acidity
* Higher reactivity
Uses
* Top Up where pH corrected
* Lime Deficiency
* Con-acre????

Question 56

Why Lime is necessary?

Answer 56

Lime is necessary for the maintenance of plant and animal health and for the efficient use of other
fertilisers.
*A fertile soil contains the right amounts and balance of all the plant nutrients.
*Lime is a soil conditioner – it is used to create certain conditions in the soil suitable for growth.
*Benefits:
*1. Increase in grass production and crop yields annually
*2. Release up to 80 kg of N/h/year in grassland (64 units/ac per year)
*3. Grow an extra 1.5 tonnes of grass dry matter (DM/ha annually)
4. Unlock soil phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)
5. Increase the response to freshly applied N, P

Question 57

Why soil acidity is a problem?

Answer 57

Many soil organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, cannot function at low pH
levels. (6-8)
*This influences the condition of the soil and affects the breakdown of organic
matter which:
1. Releases nutrients for plant growth.
2. Reduces the activity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria
*Surface acidity (top 5cm) often occurs in grassland due to high rainfall and
the use of nitrogen fertilisers.
*This reduces the availability of fertiliser phosphorus.
*Keeping the pH above 6.0 in grassland improves nitrogen recycling and
reduces total N requirement. For example increasing the soil pH 5.5 to 63
will release up to 80kg N/Ha/Year.

*Many of our soils are naturally acidic – they have no limestone in their makeup.
*Many of our farming activities create acid in the soil.
*Rainfall leaches lime from the soil, rain itself can be acidic.
*Nutrients needed for growth cannot be picked up as readily by the roots because of the acid in the
soil.
*Acid soil, the trace elements Al and Mg are available in such large quantities that they are
toxic to plant roots.

Question 58

What causes soil acidity to develop quickly?

Answer 58

Various things cause acidity to develop more quickly:

1. Light sandy soils
2. High Rainfall
3. High Rates of Nitrogen Fertilisers
4. Industrial Pollution
5. Waterlogging

Question 59

How is Lime lost from soils?

Answer 59

Lime is lost from the soil in a number of ways:
1. Loss in drainage water can be in the region of 250 to 625kg/Ha/year of ground limestone,
depending on rainfall and the amount of lime in the soil.
2. Crops and livestock remove lime. First cut silage removes about 180 kg of ground limestone
per hectare and a heavy bullock removes nearly 60 kg of ground limestone. The heavier the
cropping or stocking rate the more limestone is removed

Question 60

What does Lime do to soil?

Answer 60

*It removes the acidity
*It increases the availability of N, P, and K
*Crops and grass respond better to organic fertilisers
*It improves the “life” of the soil
*Some soils drain better and are easier to till after liming

Question 61

What does over liming soil do?

Answer 61

When a soil is over limed, some crops may suffer from lack of plant foods such as P, B, Fe and
Mg.
*Crown Rot, a disease of beet, and Brown Heart, a disease of turnips is caused by B deficiency.
*These diseases generally occur on alkaline or over limed soils.
*Grey speck in cereals is caused by Mg deficiency and this is caused by too much lime.

Too much lime also prevents plant roots taking P and some other plant foods from the soil.
*Over liming is more likely to be caused by uneven spreading than applying too much.
*Freshly applied lime may increase the amount of Common Scab on potatoes and this is a serious
blemish in seed potatoes.
*It is a good practice to lime the soil after harvesting the potatoes.

Question 62

What are the advantages of Liming?

Answer 62

Improves plant root development
*Improves soil structure
*Stimulates the availability of soil N,P, K and other nutrients
* Increases earthworm activity
*Improves clover growth
*Improves the uptake of most trace nutrients

Question 63

What are the Disadvantages of Liming?

Answer 63

*Increases the availability of the trace element Molybdenum which in turn reduces uptake of
copper for animals
*Reduces the availability of several essential trace elements especially Manganese, Boron and
Iron.

Question 64

Where does Limestone rock come from?

Answer 64

The compressed skeletons of dead marine creatures. It’s a rich source of calcium.

Question 65

What is the ideal soil ph between?

Answer 65

ph 6 to 7

Question 66

When to spread Lime?

Answer 66

Once fields have been grazed off and grass covers are low, it is an ideal time to apply lime.

Question 67

What are the most productive grass species for intensive grazing conditions?

Answer 67

Perennial ryegrass and white clover. They grow best when soil ph is around 6.5.

Question 68

How is Lime Lost?

Question 69

What is Soil Organic Nitrogen?

Answer 69

Question 70

Where does Nitrogen supplied to crops come from?

Answer 70

Question 71

What is the code of practice for applying Nitrogen?

Answer 71

Question 72

What does the Nitrates regulations 2017 say?

Question 73

What are Slurry storage requirements?

Answer 73