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lime index? #889845

Asked November 14, 2024, 3:41 PM EST

On my MSU soil test results, there is a lime index of 72. But my pH is 7.0. Why would I need an acidity correction? And if I did, what does the lime index mean and how would you add lime to adjust based on the index of 72?

Newaygo County Michigan

Expert Response

Robin - as you will see in the explanation provided in the link below, lime index is sometimes referred to the "buffer index"  which "relates to the amount of reserve acidity is in the soil" and "how much lime it will take to adjust pH".  

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/tell_me_againwhat_does_lime_index_mean

In reviewing your soil test result, I don't see any recommendation for adding lime to correct acidity levels.  What I do see are recommendations to add Nitrogen and Potassium during the growing season.  Note that the fertilizer ratio recommended is 1:0:4 which translates into one part Nitrogen (the first number) and 4 parts Potassium (the last number).  You are most likely not going to find one product that can supply this ratio (unlikely example would be 10:0:40) so I would suggest that you apply a  Nitrogen with Potassium fertilizer and then also apply a separate Potassium fertilizer to help increase the Potassium level.  Depending upon the size of your area, you could find a small bag of Potash at a nursery center or if a larger bag is needed, farm mills often have them in larger bags for the farmers.  

For the products that you find to apply, you can come back to the MSU soil test site and enter the bag numbers into the Fertilizer Calculator (found under Tools) and the site will calculate the quantity to apply in one year of that specific product.   For example, on your soil test, I entered 0-0-62 into the Fertilizer Calculator and the recommendation for this Potassium fertilizer is to apply 1.61 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. in a year.  You can use this same process for your Nitrogen fertilizer.   If your area is smaller or larger than 1,000 sq. ft., you will need to pro-rate the fertilizer amount.  Remember to apply over the course of a year and not all at once (which would be easier I know).

The other recommendation on your soil test report is to increase the organic matter level in the soil.  This can be increased over time by adding organic matter per the article below.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/hrt/uploads/535/78622/Organic-Matters-figure-6pgs.pdf

Hope that helps and good job starting with a soil test to understand the health of your soil.

Diane - MSU Advanced Extension Master Gardener Replied November 15, 2024, 2:22 PM EST

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