Category: Soil Nutrition

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis) are acid-loving crops that thrive in soils with a pH range between 4.5 and 5.5. If the soil pH rises above 5.8, tea plants suffer from severe iron and manganese chlorosis, limiting leaf growth and quality.

Micronutrient Demands in Tea Production

High-quality tea production requires constant leaf plucking, which continuously depletes soil nutrients. In addition to nitrogen, tea requires high concentrations of zinc and manganese to support leaf emergence and synthesize quality tea compounds like polyphenols.

“Agronomic studies demonstrate that balanced foliar applications of chelated zinc and manganese increase harvestable tea flush weights by up to 15%.”

Core Nutrition Plan for Acid Soils

• Soil pH Regulation: Keep pH below 5.5. Use sulphur fertilizers to lower pH if needed.
• Chelated Zinc: Apply foliarly to promote shoot elongation and leaf surface expansion.
• Manganese Nutrition: Crucial for photosynthesis and root respiration in dense plantations.

Maize is the primary staple crop across Southern Africa. However, acidic soils frequently chemically lock up applied phosphorus, causing maize plants to remain stunted with typical purple leaves. Traditional dry lime takes too long to dissolve, but LiquiLime® acts instantly.

Instant Root Neutralisation

LiquiLime® contains micronized calcium carbonate particles (under 5 microns) suspended in a liquid medium. When applied in-furrow at planting, it neutralises the soil immediately surrounding the seed, allowing roots to develop without aluminium interference and absorb phosphorus.

Maize Field Trial Results

Steps for In-furrow Application

1. Dilution: Mix 10L of LiquiLime® per 100L of water in the tractor liquid tank.
2. Placement: Direct the spray nozzle into the open furrow directly behind the seed disc.
3. NPK Support: Apply starter NPK fertilizer as normal; the lime will keep the phosphorus available.