Which statement best describes the purpose of lime in turf management?

Which statement best describes the purpose of lime in turf management?

• A. To raise soil pH
• B. To lower soil pH
• C. To add potassium
• D. To increase soil salinity

Answer: (A)

Lime’s role in turf management is to raise soil pH by neutralizing soil acidity. When soil is too acidic, many essential nutrients become less available to grass roots, and certain toxic metals (like aluminum) can impair growth. Applying lime—usually calcium carbonate or dolomitic lime—adds calcium (and magnesium if using dolomitic lime) and gradually increases the pH toward a more neutral range. This change improves nutrient uptake and overall turf health. In practice, you’d base liming on a soil test and aim for a pH around 6.0–7.0 for most turfgrasses. Lime doesn’t supply potassium, nor is it used to lower pH or to increase soil salinity. The effect of liming is gradual; it should be incorporated or watered in and then rechecked after months, since soil pH changes slowly with time and conditions.

Lime’s role in turf management is to raise soil pH by neutralizing soil acidity. When soil is too acidic, many essential nutrients become less available to grass roots, and certain toxic metals (like aluminum) can impair growth. Applying lime—usually calcium carbonate or dolomitic lime—adds calcium (and magnesium if using dolomitic lime) and gradually increases the pH toward a more neutral range.

This change improves nutrient uptake and overall turf health. In practice, you’d base liming on a soil test and aim for a pH around 6.0–7.0 for most turfgrasses. Lime doesn’t supply potassium, nor is it used to lower pH or to increase soil salinity. The effect of liming is gradual; it should be incorporated or watered in and then rechecked after months, since soil pH changes slowly with time and conditions.