In a message dated 8/6/02 4:54:52 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << << How does lime do this? Why would destroying the humus-building complex be a problem in forest soils but not agricultural soils? Any ideas? >> It is a problem in agricultural soils. As CaCO3 breaks down under various conditions it uses up many nutrients in the process. In soil it is very complex beecause of the diversity of available minerals...will need further research to adequately answer your question. Sstorch ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------- Not So. Lime or any other source of carbonates will release Calcium ( or Magnesium) that will electromagnetically attach to clay colloids raising thereby the pH. This pH shift to neutrality will favour bacterial growth that likes Nitrogen as I said before. This bacterial burst will demand Nitrogen. If they donīt find it in the soil guess where they are going to get it ? Right. In the humus fraction that has plenty of nitrogen. This is what they say in Europe when they see a grower liming their soils : "Rich father, poor sons " meaning that lime will definitely destroy humus and make the soil poorer as well as their owners. At the beginning you get a calcium release and increase of production ( Rich fathers) but then humus will be depleted leading to soil degradation ( poor sons). This is not a reason to avoid applying limes to your soil in any way. We can increase soil pH but can also grow green manure and increase carbon fixation and carbon levels in the soil increasing thereby soil microbial activity that will improve humus fraction over time. Any other thoughts ? Jose
