Interaction of Limestone Particle Size and Phosphorus on the Control of Soil Acidity

Abstract

AbstractVarious size fractions of limestone and calcite were equilibrated in a Leon fine sand previously treated with varying rates of phosphorus. The efficiency of 42‐ to 48‐mesh liming material was reduced 1.1, 1.6, and 5.8%, respectively, by the addition of 25, 50, and 150 ppm P. The same levels of P reduced the efficiency of 12‐ to 14‐mesh material 2.2, 3.6, and 8.5%. Material finer than 80‐mesh was not affected. The reduced efficiencies were attributed to the formation of surface coatings of phosphatic material. The susceptibility of a given soil to coat liming material may be assessed by measurements of hydrogen ion (H+) and phosphate (H2PO4‐) potentials.