Fill in the blanks by using the correct word/term given in the bracket and rewrite the complete sentence in your notebook:
A farmer treats the soil of his field with lime when the soil has _____ nature. (basic/acidic)

Explanation

To fill in the blank in the given sentence, we need to understand the role of lime in soil treatment.

1. **Understanding Lime**: Lime, which is chemically known as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), is used to treat soil. It is important to note that lime is alkaline in nature.

2. **Soil Acidity**: Farmers often face the problem of acidic soil, which can hinder plant growth. Acidic soils typically have a pH less than 7 and can contain compounds like sulfates, chlorides, or phosphates.

3. **Role of Lime**: When lime is added to acidic soil, it reacts with the acids present in the soil. The alkaline nature of lime helps to neutralize the acidity, thereby improving the soil's pH level and making it more suitable for crop growth.

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