Calcium is critical for crops such as tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, and squash that suffer from blossom end rot. For these crops, a special note is added for supplemental calcium. Several reasons, including cost, reliability, time, and lack of relationships between soil nitrogen levels and yield. Soil nitrogen levels change greatly due to moisture levels, microorganism activity, temperature, leaching, and organic matter levels. Soil organic matter is estimated, and from that a number is derived for the amount of nitrogen the soil will probably supply.
Recommendations make up the rest of the sheet.
These recommendations are based on research done in Mississippi, in other southeastern states, and experiences of university personnel. These are only recommendations, and you can modify them to suit a specific production system. The first recommendation is the amount of lime to add if the soil pH levels indicate it is required. Acceptable liming materials include calcitic limestone, dolomitic limestone if magnesium levels are low, basic slag, crushed oyster shells, or any other material with a calcium carbonate equivalent of 85 or higher. Grade A lime has a higher calcium carbonate equivalent and finer particles than Grade B lime.