What is the use of slaked lime in the treatment of acidic soil?
Answers
Answer:
Plants do not grow well in acidic or basic soil. Hence, to neutralize the acidity of soil, quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is added to soil. To neutralize excess basicity, soils are treated with organic matter, containing organic acids.
Tip- If the soil is overly acidic (low ph), minerals such as quick lime (calcium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), or chalk are used to remedy it ( calcium carbonate).
Plants cannot thrive in either acidic or basic soil. As a result, quick lime (calcium oxide) or slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) is used to neutralise soil acidity. Soils are treated with organic matter containing organic acids to counteract excess basicity.
Explanation: The pH of the soil is lowered by the presence of acidic chemicals in the majority of the soil. Plant growth is severely hampered in such circumstances.
As a result, quick lime is given to the soil to neutralise the acid and raise the pH to 7, which is ideal for plant growth.