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The Efficiency of Various Particle-Size Fractions of Limestone¹

ABSTRACT

The relative efficiency of various fractions of a calcitic limestone was studied under greenhouse conditions. Pure calcium carbonate, a commercial sample of agricultural limestone, and 6 particle-size fractions separated from this commercial sample were applied at different rates to 3 acid soils. The soils were sampled at various times and the pH determined. The changes in pH with time followed an expression of the form, pH_f = pH_o + b Log (1 + t). The factor b varied with rate of application, particle size, and soil.

The limestone particles in the 10- to 28-mesh size fraction were, in general, 14% as effective as those in the < 100-mesh fraction, and particles > 10 mesh were essentially of no value. The efficiency of the commercial sample of agricultural limestone was approximately equal to that exhibited by the 40- to 60-mesh fraction of the sample. The results indicate that, for practical purposes, a large portion of commercial limestone should be ground fine enough to pass a 40-mesh sieve.

¹ Contribution of the Department of Agronomy, Illinois Agr. Exp. Sta., Urbana. Presented before Div. IV, Soil Science Society of America, Nov. 19, 1959, at Cincinnati, Ohio.

² Graduate Assistant and Professor in Soils, respectively.

Received for publication March 16, 1960. Accepted for publication May 5, 1960.