How to restore the health of alkaline soils with a pH greater than 8.5 using TurbaCal Plus
Efficient management of alkaline soils, those with a pH greater than 8.5, is essential in agriculture, since these soils can seriously compromise nutrient absorption and overall crop growth. However, there are effective methods and specific products designed to restore the health of these soils. One of the most effective products in this area is "TurboCal", an innovative mixture of 80% agricultural gypsum and 20% peat, designed to address the challenges posed by these soils.
Challenges of high pH soils
Soils with high pH often suffer from low availability of essential nutrients such as iron, manganese, zinc and phosphorus, which can lead to deficiencies that affect plant development. Furthermore, these soils can be structurally poor and have drainage problems, which is aggravated in situations of high salinity.
Introducing TurboCal
"TurboCal" combines 80% agricultural gypsum and 20% peat, offering a dual solution that not only improves the physical structure of the soil and its cation exchange capacity but also enriches the soil with organic matter and helps adjust soil pH. floor.
Agricultural Gypsum Component :
Agricultural gypsum in TurboCal is instrumental in displacing sodium from soils, significantly improving soil permeability and aeration. It provides calcium without modifying the pH, which is crucial to not increase alkalinity.
Peat Component :
Peat, which makes up 20% of the mix, provides vital organic matter, improves soil water and nutrient retention, and has a slightly acidifying effect that can help reduce the pH of extremely alkaline soils.
TurboCal Benefits
- Soil Structural Improvement : TurboCal facilitates better drainage and greater aeration thanks to the improvement in the soil structure.
- Sodicity Correction : This product is effective in correcting sodicity in alkaline soils, promoting a healthier balance of cations.
- Increased Organic Matter : With the addition of peat, TurboCal significantly increases soil organic matter, essential for maintaining robust biological activity and soil fertility.
- pH adjustment : Peat helps moderate the pH of alkaline soils, facilitating better nutrient availability.
TurboCal Application
For best results, TurboCal should be applied evenly over the soil, ideally before the planting season to allow for proper integration. The recommended rate and frequency of application may vary depending on the initial soil condition and should be determined by a detailed soil analysis. Typically, an application of 2 to 3 tons per hectare is a good starting point.
Conclusion
Restoring the health of alkaline soil with a pH above 8.5 is not an easy task, but with tools like TurboCal, farmers have an effective solution to significantly improve soil quality and productivity. Thanks to its unique combination of agricultural gypsum and peat, TurboCal offers a comprehensive strategy to address the agronomic challenges of alkaline soils.