In this article, we will discuss about the - what is Soil pH? What is role of soil pH in farming? Why soil pH is important? What are the importance of soil pH in agriculture? In short, the relationship between the soil pH and plants or agriculture. So, let's see step by step :

What is Soil pH?

pH is stands for potenz Hydrogen, in simple word - the potential to be Hydrogen. pH of soil is shown by the activity of Hydrogen ions in the solution. Basic solution have high concentration and acidic solution have less concentration.

It is measuring the amount of acidity, basicity in the soil. Soil pH has various effects on chemical processes. The beneficial pH of soil is in between 5.5 to 6.5, it is ideal for plants. But specific plants developed at pH levels outside the range 5.5 to 6.5.

What is Role of soil pH in farming?

So, pH is plays an amazing role in the farming for plants. The important role of pH is absorption of nutrients by plants. The soil pH controls the many biological and chemical processes under the soil. Soil pH indicated the acidity or basicity of soil.

Study of soil pH is very necessary for agriculture. Because soil pH is governs the nutrients available in plants by regulating the chemical structures of the different nutrients and their effects on the chemical interactions.

So, finally we can say that the soil pH is applicable because soil pH is affects on the growth of plants that is- soil microbes, nutrition accessibility, soil composition etc.

Why is the soil pH important?

pH is measure the relative amount of free hydroxyl ions in aqueous solution or water. The water with more free hydroxyl ions is basic while the water is with less hydroxyl ions is acidic. So, pH is important indicator for water which is changing by chemical effects.

Why is the soil pH important?

The soil pH range between 6 to 7 is good range for availability of nutrients essential for plant growth. Low pH occurs in lower rate of N-mineralization, that is process based on active, viable, microbial population in the soil.

What are the effects of soil pH on plant growth?

For the sufficient growth of plants the key minerals or nutrients are very important factor. pH level is affected on the microbial processes which are use for decomposing and deliver the minerals and nutrients in the soil.

The neutral pH is provided the good situation for microbial processes which produces sulphur, nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. Depending on the nutritional needs the plant species have a preference for more acidic or more basic situation.

How do you measure soil pH?

Let's take an auger and dig up few soil from one part of your farming.

Spread the soil on a blank paper.

Remove all garbage that is roots, stones, debris etc. in the soil.

Divide the soil in the 4 parts and remove two parts and mix well the remaining two parts.

After mixing do the same Procedure repeat.

Take the 20 g of soil from the final mixture and transfer into 100 ml beaker.

Add 40 ml distilled water and mix or stir well with a glass rod.

Do this to stand for half an hour.

Finally, Calibrate your pH meter with pH 7, pH 4 and pH 9.2 buffer. You can make buffer solution by dissolving standard buffer tablets in distilled water.

Dip the electrode of pH meter under the water suspension of the settled sample.

You can read the pH from digital display of pH meter.

So, you can do this with different other soil samples collected from different parts of field to get an idea of pH for the whole field.

What are the Importance of soil pH in agriculture?

For controlling the chemical forms of the various types of nutrients and influences their chemical reactions the soil pH is very important in agriculture field. The soil pH regulates the plant nutrient availability in the soil. So, soil and crop productivity has amazing relation to soil pH value.

What happens when soil pH is too high?

So, when the soil pH is too high, that means it creates problems for plants health and development also. For various plants, soil with high in basicity created harder situation for plants to absorb nutrients in the soil, that can affects on plant growth, that can limit their optimal plant growth.

Soil pH in the between 7 to 8 is adequate for various plants. pH range 6 to 7.2 is optimal for garden plants growth.

How to reduce soil pH?

For reducing the soil pH use pH reducer or pH minus. The important active ingredient in pH reducer is muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate. You can buy them at pool supply stores, online, home improvement centers etc.

Does fertilizer raise pH?

Fertilizers effect on soil pH is based on the ratio of nitrate nitrogen to ammonium / urea nitrogen. Because of nitrate nitrogen raises the soil pH due to its basicity and ammonium/ urea nitrogen lowering the soil pH due to its acidity.

Does NPK increase soil pH?

We know that, the fertilizers, manures, legumes are the nitrogen sources. They affects on level of soil pH. Nitrogen increases the acidity of soil pH unless the plant absorbs the ammonium ions. Higher the nitrogen fertilization rate, higher the acidification of soil.