Research by the National Stone Association has shown that the application of agricultural limestone is critical to profitable farming operation, especially in areas of moderate to heavy rainfall, where the natural tendency of cropland is to become acid with time. Periodic liming counteracts the acidifying effects of nitrogen fertilizers, typically applied at heavy rates to corn, wheat and other crops on an annual basis. In addition, the effectiveness of herbicides is enhanced as soil acidity approaches neutral. Correction of soil acidity contributes to improved soil structure and surface water infiltration rates, which have a direct bearing on soil erosion.

Field tests conducted at Michigan State University show that agricultural lime raises the soil pH notably more quickly than pelletized lime, probably because of the binding agent used in making the pellets. The tests were conducted by MSU agronomists Darryl Warncke and Francis Pierce beginning in April of 1995 and continuing through fall of 1996. The lime application rates at the test sites were none, 1, 2, 4, or 8 tons per acre. Tests for pH were made at weeks 1, 2, 6, 8 and 16. The dolomitic limestone raised the soil pH more quickly than the pelletized lime (also made of dolomitic or calcitic lime) and the change in pH increased more rapidly and rose higher as the rate of application increased. By contrast, the change in pH with where pelletized lime was applied was less and occurred more slowly during the 16 weeks of equilibration. Pelletized lime materials are made by granulating finely ground lime. The lime particles are cemented together with ligno sulfonates, which comprise about 9 percent of the pellet content. In order that the lime become reactive, the lignosulfates have to be broken down by solubilization or microbial action, which, under the MSU field studies, retarded the breakdown or dissolution of the lime pellets. The pelletized lime also increased the extractable sulfur in the soil by a small amount.