Managing Soil pH in Agriculture

✅ Managing Acidic Soils

• Lime application (CaCO₃, Dolomite) neutralizes acidity: CaCO3+2H+→Ca2++H2O+CO2text{CaCO}_3 + 2H^+ rightarrow text{Ca}^{2+} + H_2O + CO_2CaCO3​+2H+→Ca2++H2​O+CO2​
• Use of acid-tolerant crops (e.g., tea, pineapple).
• Organic matter application buffers soil pH.

✅ Managing Alkaline Soils

• Gypsum (CaSO₄) application replaces Na⁺ with Ca²⁺, improving soil structure.
• Acid-forming fertilizers (e.g., ammonium sulfate) lower pH.
• Organic amendments (e.g., sulfur, peat moss) help acidify the soil.

Conclusion

• Soil pH controls nutrient availability, microbial activity, and plant growth.
• Acidic soils (pH < 7) dominate humid regions due to leaching of base cations.
• Alkaline soils (pH > 7) are common in arid regions due to salt accumulation.
• Proper soil management practices (e.g., liming, organic amendments, gypsum application) help maintain optimal pH for crop growth.