Getting more from Fertiliser starts with your soil

But fertiliser efficiency isn't simply about how much product is applied. Soil condition, nutrient availability, crop requirements and pH all influence how effectively those nutrients can be used.

With input costs remaining high and increasing pressure to improve efficiency, understanding what is happening beneath the surface can help farmers make more informed decisions about their fertiliser strategy. 

Is your soil making the most of applied nutrients?

Not every nutrient applied to a field will necessarily be available to the crop. Nutrients can be lost through leaching, runoff and volatilisation, reducing the efficiency of fertiliser applications and contributing to wider environmental concerns.

One of the best places to start is therefore with soil testing.

Testing can provide valuable information about nutrient levels, organic matter and soil pH, helping farmers and agronomists understand the condition of the soil and make more informed decisions about what it needs.

Why pH matters

Soil pH has a significant influence on nutrient availability.

For most crops, a pH of around 6.5–7 is generally considered optimal. Within this range, nutrients are more readily available for plant uptake. As soils become increasingly acidic, however, nutrient availability and microbial activity reduce. 

This means fertiliser can be present in the soil without the crop being able to take full advantage of it.

At pH 5.5, around one-third of applied nutrients may be unavailable to the crop, while at pH 5.0 this can rise to around half. Maintaining an appropriate pH can therefore play an important role in protecting the value of fertiliser inputs. 

A more targeted approach to lime

Traditional liming practices often involve applying larger quantities of lime every few years. While this can correct soil acidity, pH can fluctuate between applications, meaning the soil may only remain within its ideal range for a limited part of that cycle. 

A more precise approach is to use smaller, targeted applications to help maintain a more consistent pH year on year.

This is particularly relevant because soil pH is constantly influenced by factors including rainfall, crop uptake, fertiliser use and livestock. Regular monitoring and adjustment can therefore help keep conditions favourable for nutrient availability. 

It's not just how much lime you apply

Particle size also influences how quickly lime reacts within the soil.

Finer lime particles provide a greater surface area, enabling the material to react more quickly with the soil. This can help provide faster pH correction when managing acidic conditions.

Granulated lime combines these very fine particles into granules, making the material easier to apply. Once the granules come into contact with moisture, they break down and release the fine particles, increasing the reactive surface area available. 

This principle is central to Calcifert, LKAB Minerals' range of granulated lime solutions.

Because of its fine particle size and rapid reactivity, granulated lime can be applied at lower rates than traditional agricultural lime while still delivering a rapid adjustment in soil pH. 

Protecting the value of every application

Ultimately, getting more from fertiliser isn't only about the fertiliser itself.

Creating the right soil conditions can help make applied nutrients more available to the crop. Regular soil testing, effective pH management and precise lime application can all contribute to improving nutrient use efficiency, reducing waste and supporting more consistent crop performance. 

For farmers looking to make their inputs work harder, maintaining the right soil pH is a practical place to start.

Visit the LKAB Minerals team at LAMMA to learn more about Calcifert and how granulated lime can support your soil and nutrient management strategy.