Liming and buffering a tree nursery on sandy soil

Liming and buffering of a tree nursery on sandy soil in North Brabant to maintain the pH at an optimal level. A pH that is too low (below 5.5) inhibits the uptake of nutrients and reduces the availability of magnesium, molybdenum, iron, manganese, copper and boron. A pH that is too high (above 7.0) limits the availability of trace elements. Regular liming (approximately every four years) prevents acidification and supports a stable soil structure. The soil is sensitive to changes in pH, which affects root growth, the mineralisation of organic matter and nitrification. A pH between 6.3 and 6.5 is considered ideal for most crop types.