For decades now, worldwide scientific studies have proven that it is the fine particles in soil amendments that drive results, but this fine powder was just too hard to apply.
Advantage Agriculture has now provided a solution. Ozcal granulated lime has emerged as a game-changing product that is revolutionising the agricultural landscape.
“Conventional bulk soil amendments are made up of a range of particle sizes (0.075mm to 5mm), which means the release rate is uneven,” Advantage Agriculture Victoria/Tasmania sale manager/agronomist Rob Myers said.
“The coarser particle portion is a lot less reactive and will take longer to work into the soil compared to the finer portion, which is usually only a small amount of the overall product. Unfortunately, it is this finer portion that is also most vulnerable to being blown away by the wind.”
The ultra-fine particles in every granule (average of 20 micron) give a greater surface area to volume ratio compared to coarse bulk products, or in simpler terms there is a much greater volume of active particles in the soil in a weight for weight comparison.
This enables Ozcal lime to be applied at much lower application rates compared to bulk soil amendments. It also facilitates better distribution throughout the soil, this uniformity ensures that the lime is evenly dispersed, allowing for an even release of calcium and pH adjustment.
Ultra-fine lime particles will penetrate the soil more effectively, reaching deeper layers where acidity may be prevalent. This deeper penetration allows for the neutralisation of acidic pockets in the soil, ensuring optimal conditions for root development and nutrient uptake by plants.
The rise in precision agriculture and variable rate applications is a space that fits perfectly with granular soil technology, particularly with a consistent-sized ultra-fine particle.
“The variability of soil pH within a paddock can change dramatically, so the days of treating the whole paddock in the same way are gone,” Mr Myers said.
“Applying the right soil amendment at the correct rates according to soil tests and mapping is the most effective and efficient method. Also, it is not just about the granules being easier to place that makes it very important for precision agriculture, the consistency of the particle size also plays a major part.”
The large range of particle sizes within bulk lime mean the rates of reaction and release will vary significantly in the soil; fine particles react quickly, and the coarser particles react slower and less effectively, so therefore you can never be sure what sort of response you will achieve. The coarse particles can take many years to release.
As a result of pH regulation, Ozcal granulated lime facilitates the release of vital nutrients trapped in the soil enhancing the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making them readily available for plant uptake. The result is healthier plants, stronger root systems and improved crop quality.