As the level of soil acidity increases, aluminum increases and becomes toxic to plants. The efficiency of nutrient uptake and utilization decreases as well. A high soil pH can reduce manganese availability. Manganese deficiencies may occur on sandy coastal plain soils when lime is applied in excess of the recommended rates. Therefore, follow soil-test recommendations as closely as possible.
Magnesium leaches readily from sandy coastal plain soils.
When a soil test recommends lime and magnesium levels are low, dolomitic lime is the most economical source of both. P 2 O 5 and K 2 O recommended on the soil test report should produce high yields as long as other factors that influence yield are optimized. These include lime needs, planting date, population, soil moisture and nitrogen management. Nitrogen has more influence on corn yields than any other fertilizer input. It is also the most difficult element to manage in terms of rate and time of application due to extreme variation in soil and climatic conditions that exist across North Carolina.