Granulated lime, conacre ground

[Cab-over Pete]

That is a good point and one I overlooked. My apologies.

It might make sense to find out the recent history of the ground. If clubroot has been seen or a high rotation of brassicas grown, it may well pay to put some lime on.

 

[Mounty]

In my limited time on this new forum one of the first things I did was have a 'conversation' with Pete wondering how long it would be before a granular thread would come up.. We both said how much we would miss all the hours of ranting we have done on this topic over on BFF.

Here we go again.........!!

 

[Clive]

Granulated lime appears to be an interesting topic Our advisor seems to think I need a ph of 7 but sure maybe the beet would do well enough the way it is at 6.2! thanks for replys

After listening to Kinsey last week 6.2 is perfect

Doesn't mean you might not need more calcium though still - that's an entire new subject !

 

[The Ruminant]

After listening to Kinsey last week 6.2 is perfect

Doesn't mean you might not need more calcium though still - that's an entire new subject !

That was one of the many interesting things he said. The idea that calcium could actually lower the pH in some cases (by replacing more 'alkaline' elements on the clay colloid) was fascinating - not that we have any such soils, but still an interesting concept

 

[Mounty]

Well this is all quite correct, but it is another topic altogether. We got involved with the Kinsey/Albrecht systems back in the mid-late 90's and it does turn everything you've done on it's head. The trouble is, the make up of the soil is not the same everywhere across the field and different treatments are ideally required for isolated areas but the cost of analysis made farmers reluctant to do more than 1-2s sample per field.

As stated Calcium is not the same as pH and we have treated fields with lime or gypsum that have a high pH but low levels of Ca. I understand that 6.2 is possibly acceptable if other elements in the base saturation are in sync or can be corrected in time enough for the next crop (which isn't always a quick fix.)
Trying to get this back on topic
The large majority of growers will never go down the Kinsey route (rightly or wrongly). Your average farmer who suspects a pH problem in say, a sugar beet crop, calls someone out to test it, who confirms suspicions, applies some lime, crop picks up. Farmer will be happy that this basic practice has rectified the situation and job done. IIRC the OP is renting land so again, quick fix needed. As for granular or bulk. Do you really want me to answer that???

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Well this is all quite correct, but it is another topic altogether. We got involved with the Kinsey/Albrecht systems back in the mid-late 90's and it does turn everything you've done on it's head. The trouble is, the make up of the soil is not the same everywhere across the field and different treatments are ideally required for isolated areas but the cost of analysis made farmers reluctant to do more than 1-2s sample per field.

As stated Calcium is not the same as pH and we have treated fields with lime or gypsum that have a high pH but low levels of Ca. I understand that 6.2 is possibly acceptable if other elements in the base saturation are in sync or can be corrected in time enough for the next crop (which isn't always a quick fix.)
Trying to get this back on topic
The large majority of growers will never go down the Kinsey route (rightly or wrongly). Your average farmer who suspects a pH problem in say, a sugar beet crop, calls someone out to test it, who confirms suspicions, applies some lime, crop picks up. Farmer will be happy that this basic practice has rectified the situation and job done. IIRC the OP is renting land so again, quick fix needed. As for granular or bulk. Do you really want me to answer that???

The main problem as I see it will be recommending lime on adequate pH soils. I just can't see many farmers going for that.

It's all a bit confusing.

 

[Will Blackburn]

Is beet not in the brassica family and therefore prone to clubroot?
That will be why the pH7.0 is recommended.

Sugar beet is not a brassica, it is typically grown on fairly neutral soils, but then again does well on mossy ground which would have a lower pH.

 

[Clive]

The main problem as I see it will be recommending lime on adequate pH soils. I just can't see many farmers going for that.

It's all a bit confusing.

You just need to spend 3 days educating them first Pete !

As Kinsey said on day 1 - only when someone asks are they ready to learn !

 

[Mounty]

Yep, Clive is right, 3 days should convince them to put lime on high pH levels. Similar process to re inventing the wheel...... Ever tried that Pete?

 

[R&D]

And if that doesnt work Pete buy yourself a nice D10 with a 6ft ripper and tell em thats the alternative!

Sorry Clive going off topic here

 

[Elmsted]

Cripes Pete is always right, usualy right, But sugar beet is a plant suited to saline conditions. A near relative grows on sea shores around Europe. What is a typical fertiliser for Beet. What does it visibly show other than NPK & MG. Yes spot on Boron amongst others. Why it needs PH neutral I have no idea. Maybe tradition. But that is contrary surely to the plant physiology.

 

[Cab-over Pete]

Cripes Pete is always right, usualy right, But sugar beet is a plant suited to saline conditions. A near relative grows on sea shores around Europe. What is a typical fertiliser for Beet. What does it visibly show other than NPK & MG. Yes spot on Boron amongst others. Why it needs PH neutral I have no idea. Maybe tradition. But that is contrary surely to the plant physiology.

Hell.................I don't know about that. If I was that clever, I would go and get myself a sensible job, for a start!

Note to self: Must read previous posts to save showing ignorance.

 

[Mounty]

Cripes Pete is always right, usualy right, But sugar beet is a plant suited to saline conditions. A near relative grows on sea shores around Europe. What is a typical fertiliser for Beet. What does it visibly show other than NPK & MG. Yes spot on Boron amongst others. Why it needs PH neutral I have no idea. Maybe tradition. But that is contrary surely to the plant physiology.

+ Na in many cases. Beet has always thrived on higher pH's. Patches of stunted small plants are often due to patches of low pH although some recent varieties can mask the symptoms. Red tingeing to the leaf edges was always a give away but not so evident in last few years.