Answer to Question #123997 in Chemistry for cele

Question

soil pH is an important soil property for crop production. Discuss

Answer 1

Plant growth is favoured by a soil pH range of 5.5 – 6.5. Changes of the pH to acidic or alkaline values may restrict root access to water and nutrients. Moreover, in high acidity soils, most of the soil nutrients comprising nitrogen, potassium, sulphur, phosphorus, manganese, calcium, and other minerals, are available in insufficient quantities. Acidic pH increases aluminium solubility in soil. As a result, soluble aluminium retards root growth, limiting access to nutrients and water and causing reduced crop growth and low crop yields. Finally, altered pH may affect the growth of soil bacteria decreasing legume nodulation. The process is caused by the inhibition of microbial growth and reduced levels of nitrification leading to decreased availability of nitrogen required for normal growth.