Soil Liming Calculator
Lime Rate to Raise Soil pH
Example soil liming calculation
The following worked example demonstrates how the soil pH adjustment calculator estimates lime requirements under typical field conditions.
Example input data
- Liming material: Calcitic Limestone
- Soil texture: Loam
- Tillage system: Full tillage (plowing)
- Liming depth: 20 cm
- Current soil pH: 5.5
- Target soil pH: 6.5
- Field area: 5 ha
- Exchangeable acidity: 2.19 cmol(+)/kg
- Bulk density: 1.1 g/cm³
Model assumptions & valid input ranges
- Initial soil pH: 4.0 – 7.0
- Target soil pH: ≤ 7.2
- Maximum pH increase per application: 1.2
- Bulk density: 0.6 – 1.8 g/cm³
- Exchangeable acidity: 0.1 – 20 cmol(+)/kg
Calculation result
Results are shown per hectare and for the total field area.
Calculated Lime Requirement
The table below shows the material and nutrient requirements.
| Parameter | Per hectare | Total (5 ha) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcitic Limestone | 2.21 t | 11.05 t |
| Calcium (Ca) | 883.30 kg | 4.42 t |
• This calculation estimates the amount of calcitic limestone required to raise soil pH based on soil texture, liming depth, and laboratory data. Results are estimates — always confirm soil pH with laboratory or field measurements.
Liming application plan
This table shows a recommended liming application plan based on soil properties, target pH, application depth, and the selected liming material. Only nutrients supplied by this material are included.
| Application | Per hectare | Total (5 ha) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcitic Limestone | Ca | Calcitic Limestone | Ca | |
| Dose 1 | 1.32 t | 530.00 kg | 6.60 t | 2.65 t |
| Dose 2 | 883.00 kg | 353.20 kg | 4.42 t | 1.77 t |
| Parameter | Dose 1 | Dose 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Per hectare | ||
| Calcitic Limestone | 1.32 t | 883.00 kg |
| Ca | 530.00 kg | 353.20 kg |
| Total (5 ha) | ||
| Calcitic Limestone | 6.60 t | 4.42 t |
| Ca | 2.65 t | 1.77 t |
• Split applications reduce liming shock and improve soil pH stabilization over time.
• Calculations are estimates. Always confirm soil pH and lime requirements with laboratory analysis or local agronomic recommendations.
This example illustrates how the calculator estimates lime requirements based on soil chemistry, texture, liming depth, and management assumptions. Actual soil response may vary due to local field conditions. Always verify soil pH through laboratory analysis after lime application.
Know Your Soil, Grow Better
Track liming, manage nutrients, and plan your fields with connected calculations
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Blogs
Adjusting Soil pH with Lime: Materials, Rates, and Tillage
Effective soil pH management depends on choosing the right liming materials, applying accurate rates, and adapting practices to tillage and no-till systems
CCE vs ECCE: Understanding Lime Effectiveness in Soil pH Adjustment
Learn how calcium carbonate equivalent and lime fineness determine real-world soil pH correction — and why ECCE matters more than total tonnage
Frequently Asked Questions
- Soil liming corrects soil acidity by increasing soil pH, which improves nutrient availability, root development, and overall crop performance. Acidic soils reduce calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus uptake and may increase aluminum toxicity, limiting yield potential.
