Re: [compost_tea] Calcium Carbonate

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2005 15:23:06 EST


What is the source of Calcium Carbonate? Does it leave a salt residue when
applied to pasture land in conjunction with ACT?

Calcium carbonate IS a salt. Salt is defined as any inorganic material that
can dis-associate in water. Most people think of sodium chloride as being
the "only salt", but it is not. The danger with any salt is that it takes
water away from organisms, plants in particular.
 
If you do not have the proper biology and foods to feed them in your soil,
then ANY salt will leave a residue, which if it builds to a high enough level,
will harm plants, and other soil organisms.

I am contemplating putting 100 lb. per acre of Calcium Carbonate / Dolomite
on my pasture, which is certified Organic by the State of Texas and USDA -
does this endanger my certification?

 
This does not endanger your certification, but it will endanger your soil's
health. Dolomite contains more magnesium than calcium. So, only if your
soil lacks magnesium would you use dolomite.
 
As I recall, Jerry, your soil lacks AVAILABLE calcium. You have more than
enough - excess actually - not-available calcium. And WAY more magnesium than
needed.
 
The problem you have is to move the not-available calcium into available
calcium. If you use acid to try to do that, you destroy soil structure and
cause severe leaching problems, which leads to even worse nutrient limitation in
the future.
 
So, what moves calcium from a not-available pool into an available pool?
 
Yep, the right balance of bacteria and fungi.
 
For a SHORT time, use the 100 pounds per acre calcium carbonate - but
calcium carbonate alone, not mixed with dolomite - to maintain available calcium to
your plants, but as you get the biology established and functioning properly
(compost with added calcium!!!!), you should not need to use the salt
addition. By next year, you should not need to do this. Add calcium to your
compost.
 
What form of calcium carbonate? Crushed egg shells. Crushed oyster shell.
Calcium carbonate that comes in bags at the store.
 
The resons that I want to apply some calcium are that I just chisled,
disced, and harrowed the ground to prepare to plant Gamma grass, therefore I need
to replenish and reestablish my fungal colonies. Also I am in a heavy clay
soil and it needs to be floculated.

 

You need fungi, absolutely. So, add calcium carbonate. You could give
Betsy Ross a call about where she finds her calcium, or call Steve Bridges, or
Ray Gore. They all could help you. Find phone numbers on the SFI website.
 

Elaine R. Ingham
Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
Soil Foodweb Inc., Port Jefferson, New York
Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
Soil Foodweb Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa








Received on Wed Jan 19 2005 - 17:34:28 EST

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