A quick and simple method for determining the titration curve and estimating the lime requirement of soil

Abstract

We investigated the effects of time and temperature of incubation on the pH of soil to which acid or alkali had been added. Most of the change in pH occurred quickly, but a slow reaction continued for a long period. The rate of this slow reaction was increased by increasing the temperature. The magnitude of the effect suggested that the continuing reaction was due to diffusion of protons into, or out of, the soil particles. Because of the increased rate of reaction at high temperature, it is possible to produce in a few days at 60°C effects similar to several months' incubation at 25°C. This provides a simple means of determining the titration curve and of estimating the lime requirement.