QUESTION:
I'm looking for farmland in south Georgia to buy. Who can I contact?
ANSWER: Your best
contact would probably be the Georgia Department of Agriculture's
weekly newsletter, the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin.
You may contact them, or subscribe to the F&CMB, on the Web
at:
Farmers
and Consumers Market Bulletin.
QUESTION:
What pH are you adjusting to when I get soil test
results? Does the optimum pH differ for different crops? Is it
wise to ever topdress with more than, say, 50 pounds of lime per
1,000 square feet every six months?
ANSWER: Yes, the optimum pH varies with the crops to be grown. So the adjustments are made accord to the crop. And no, it isn't wise to ever apply more lime than is recommended from a soil test, since excess lime will raise soil pH to higher levels than some plants can tolerate.
When some plants are grown in soil with higher-than-optimum pH, deficiencies of micronutrients such as manganese or iron can occur, causing slow growing and unhealthy plants.
- David
Kissel
UGA Ag & Environmental Services Lab
