The Meaning and Importance of Soil pH
[2023-10-12 14:30:30]
The soil in the garden is often expressed as acidic (acidic) or alkaline (sweet). Unfortunately, some gardeners do not know the relationship between the meaning of these terms and their plant growth. Relative acidity or alkalinity of the soil is indicated by its pH. The pH ranges from 0 to 14. PH values below 7 are acidic and pH values above 7 are alkaline. pH 7 indicates neutral soil. pH is important as it affects the availability of essential nutrients. Most horticultural crops grow well in soils between pH 6 (weakly acidic) and 5 (weakly alkaline). As most of the soil in Iowa's garden is in this range, most gardeners have little problem with soil pH.
Some plants need 5-5 soil pH values. These "acid-like" plants include azaleas, rhododendrons and blueberries. The soil pH of these plants can be lowered by adding elemental sulfur (S) to the soil. As soil undergoes a slow acidification reaction to elemental sulfur, it should be added and applied one year before planting. Adding Canadian peat moss to soil is another way to lower pH.
However, for most plants, soil pH below zero is undesirable. To raise the pH to the level near neutral, strongly acidic soil is necessary. Restricted substances include ground limestone, mainly calcium carbonate (CaCO 3) and dolomite limestone, which contain CaCO 3 and some magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3). As most Iowa soils do not require coal, lime-based materials are used only when recommended for soil testing.
A very obvious example of the soil pH role in nutrient supply can be seen with acupuncture. Many needles in the Midwest suffer from iron chlorosis which is characterized by yellow green leaves. Leaf yellowing is caused by plant iron deficiency. Most Iowa soils contain enough iron to promote plant growth and leaf coloring. Unfortunately, when the pH of the soil exceeds zero, most of the iron becomes insoluble and can not be used in oak barrels. Iron is easily used in oak barrels in the pH range of 5 to 5. Efforts to correct iron chlorosis are very difficult, so gardeners should avoid planting needles in alkaline soil.
Further information on the use of lime and sulfur is found in the modified soil of PM-1487 in Iowa lawn and garden.
pH is important as it adjusts specific characteristics of the soil. When the pH is lower than 7 (acidic soil), the cation component shows hydrogen and aluminum, the proportion increases when the pH decreases, whereas when the pH is higher than 7 (alkaline soil) the soil saturates magnesium and calcium, Sodium red soil indicates that it is rich in iron or Fe 2 O 3, yellow indicates the presence of hydrated compound, Fe (OH) 3. In some tropical regions, it is known that green soil also shows the presence of high concentrations of iron compounds such as ferrous oxide. The clay is related to the presence of calcium carbonate.
The concentration of hydrogen ions in soil is called pH, and it is influenced by the chemical reaction between soil ingredients and water. The pH of the soil is controlled by various combinations of positively charged ions (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, manganese, iron) and negatively charged ions (sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, carbonate ion) It will be affected. The pH of the soil directly affects the concentration of major nutrients and the form of trace elements that can be used for plant intake, which can cause defects and toxicity (see Figure 1).
Soil pH or soil reaction is an indicator of soil acidity or alkalinity as measured in pH units. Soil pH is defined as the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration. The pH is 0 to 14, pH 7 is the neutral point. As the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil increases, the pH of the soil decreases and becomes more acidic. When pH goes from 0 to 0, the soil becomes increasingly acidic, and when pH goes from 7 to 14 the soil becomes more alkaline or alkaline. Many dyes discolor as pH increases or decreases, making it possible to estimate soil pH. As soil pH