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Thursday, 02 April 2026
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Treatment of a poor soil with lime supplies

Treatment of a poor soil with lime supplies
Take Free Practice Test On 2026 JAMB UTME, Post UTME, WAEC SSCE, GCE, NECO SSCE
  • A Sulphur
  • B Calcium
  • C Phosphorus
  • D Sodium
  • E Nitrogen
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Explanation:

What is lime in agriculture?
In farming and gardening, lime refers to materials containing calcium compounds, mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) or calcium oxide (quicklime, CaO). It is applied to acidic (sour) soils to raise the pH and improve fertility.

What does lime do to the soil?

1. Neutralizes acidity – Lime increases the soil pH, making it less acidic and more suitable for plant growth.
2. Improves nutrient availability – In acidic soils, nutrients like phosphorus can become locked up; lime helps unlock them.
3. Supplies essential nutrients, mainly:
- Calcium
- Sometimes Magnesium (if using dolomitic lime)

Let’s check each option:

#A. Sulphur
- Sulphur is not supplied by lime.
- In fact, elemental sulphur is sometimes used to lower soil pH (acidify soil), which is the opposite of what lime does.

#B. Calcium
- Correct.
- Lime is primarily made of calcium compounds.
- It adds calcium to the soil, which is essential for plant cell wall development and overall growth.

#C. Phosphorus
- Lime does not directly supply phosphorus.
- However, by reducing soil acidity, it can make existing phosphorus more available.

#D. Sodium
- Lime does not contain sodium.
- Sodium can actually be harmful in excess and is not typically added to soils via lime.

#E. Nitrogen
- Nitrogen is not present in lime.
- Nitrogen fertilizers (like urea, ammonium nitrate) are used for that purpose.

Summary:
Lime improves acidic soils by neutralizing acidity and supplying calcium, which is essential for plant health.

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