Principle of reaction between lime and ammonium fertilizers?

Answer 1

[1] Soil pH can have a reading of acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Many plants prefer the neutral range of 6.0-6.5. An acidic pH is lower than that range, an alkaline higher. Using ammonium fertilizers, often and over the years, lowers the pH. This acidifying tendency is neutralized by lime treatments. Using liming materials raises the pH. [2] Ammonium has one nitrogen atom for every three hydrogen atoms. That's why it's written as NH3. Over time ammonium becomes nitrate. The three hydrogen atoms are exchanged for two oxygen. The oxygen comes from the soil. The hydrogen goes into soil moisture. When lime interacts with hydrogen, a neutralizing reaction takes place. Hydrogen is no longer free-floating, by way of the soil water solution. Instead, it becomes part of a team with lime, to form water [two hydrogen atoms for every oxygen], and carbon dioxide [one carbon atom for every two oxygen]. [3] Soil pH must be matched with the pH needs of the plant. An incorrect soil pH can make available nutrients unavailable. For example, more alkaline soils can be iron-deficient, more acidic soils magnesium-deficient. Or it can make nutrients available in toxic levels. For example, more acidic soils can be aluminum and manganese-toxic. Lime raises the pH; elemental sulfur and aluminum sulfate lower it. [4] Fertilizers tend to focus on nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needs of soil and plants. But there are actually 16-17 nutrients in healthy soil. Any one nutrient, in incorrect quantities, throws the whole nutrient chain off. Incorrect calcium level is often seen in weedy growth. Liming materials treat calcium-deficient soil. So, for example, ground limestone supplies calcium, dolomitic limestone calcium and magnesium.

Answer 2

When lime is applied to soil containing ammonium fertilizers (such as ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate), a chemical reaction occurs resulting in the production of ammonia gas. This reaction is known as the "lime-induced ammonia volatilization". It can lead to the loss of nitrogen from the soil, reducing the effectiveness of the fertilizer application. To minimize this reaction, it is recommended to apply lime separately from ammonium fertilizers or use slow-release urea-based fertilizers instead.