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Soil analysis: V% and m%

Enter the Ca, Mg, K, potential acidity, and aluminum results from the soil analysis to see base saturation, aluminum saturation, and the ratio between nutrients.

Pre-sizing and estimating tool: the results do not replace a design, calculation, or report signed by a qualified professional, nor verification against the applicable standards.

VerificationRevision 12/11/2026

Technical responsibility. This calculator is under verification. The reference values and examples are hypothetical, to illustrate the calculation, and are not technical references. The user is responsible for the data entered, the choice of parameters, and the use of the results, and must validate them with a qualified professional before any decision, purchase, application, or construction work.

Exchangeable bases
Acidity
Targets

The values come from the lab report. The target V% and the m% limit depend on the crop and on your region's recommendation manual.

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—Base saturation and aluminum
—

Makeup of the exchange complex

How much of each cation and acidity is in the analysis; the bar shows the value of each component in cmolc/dm³.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Current V% and m% compared to target

Base saturation and aluminum saturation, current and reference; the current V% must reach the target, and the m% must stay below the limit.

Tap the chart to see the values.

What if the data changes?

Drag the controls to simulate data different from what you entered (from 30% less to 30% more) and watch the result change instantly.

Tap the chart to see the values.

V% by calcium and magnesium

Base saturation (V%) for combinations of calcium and magnesium, with the potassium and potential acidity you entered.

Step by step with your numbers

The calculation done in steps, with the values you entered.

    The calculation memo gathers this page's inputs, results, equations, assumptions, and references, with fields for project, responsible person, and review. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print window, choose Save as PDF.

    How to use the soil analysis

    Copy from the report the values for calcium, magnesium, potassium, potential acidity (H+Al) and aluminium. Confirm the unit for potassium and enter the V% target for the crop. The calculator shows the sum of bases, the CTC, base saturation and aluminium saturation, and compares them with the targets.

    Worked example

    Ca = 3.2; Mg = 1.1; K = 0.25; H+Al = 4.0; Al = 0.1 (cmolc/dm³), with a V% target of 60%.

    SB = 3.2 + 1.1 + 0.25 = 4.55. T = 4.55 + 4.0 = 8.55. V% = 4.55 ÷ 8.55 × 100 = 53.2%, below the target of 60%. m% = 0.1 ÷ (0.1 + 4.55) × 100 = 2.2%, within the limit.

    How to read the result

    • V% below target: liming should raise the base saturation.
    • m% above the limit: toxic aluminum is present, and liming must also correct the exchangeable acidity.
    • Ca/Mg ratio and K in the CEC: they help choose the limestone source (dolomitic, calcitic) and the potassium dose, but do not replace the regional recommendation.

    To convert the V% difference into tonnes of limestone, use the liming calculator.

    Method, assumptions, and references

    Equations used

    SB (sum of bases) = Ca + Mg + K
    T (CEC at pH 7) = SB + (H+Al)
    V% = SB ÷ T × 100 (base saturation)
    m% = Al ÷ (Al + SB) × 100 (aluminum saturation)
    K (cmolc/dm³) = K (mg/dm³) ÷ 391

    Assumptions and limits

    • Results in the same unit (cmolc/dm³) and from the same sampling layer.
    • The target V% and the m% limit depend on the crop and the region's recommendation manual; the default values are only examples.
    • The calculator interprets the analysis; the lime and fertilizer recommendations are made in the liming and fertilization pages.

    Standards and technical documents

    • Raij, B. van et al. Recomendações de adubação e calagem para o Estado de São Paulo. 2nd ed. Campinas: IAC, 1996. (Technical Bulletin 100)
    • Sousa, D. M. G.; Lobato, E. (ed.). Correção do solo e adubação de culturas. Brasília: Embrapa Informação Tecnológica, 2004.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is V%?

    It is the percentage of CEC occupied by the bases (Ca, Mg and K). The higher it is, the lower the soil acidity. The target depends on the crop and region.

    Why does aluminum matter?

    Excess exchangeable aluminium is toxic to roots. m% shows the fraction of the effective CTC occupied by Al; above the limit, liming must also correct the aluminium.

    How to convert potassium from mg/dm³ to cmolc/dm³?

    Divide by 391. For example, 98 mg/dm³ of K equals 0.25 cmolc/dm³.

    Does this calculation tell how much limestone to apply?

    Not directly. It shows how far the saturation is from the target. The amount of limestone is calculated in the liming calculator, with PRNT and the correction depth.