Soil acidity: how to check at home, what fertilizers also affect

Dozens of factors influence the development of plants. It is not enough just to achieve high fertility, a good supply of humus and nutrients, to ensure a stable supply of moisture and a favorable temperature regime. A special place among the factors of influence is given to the acidity of the soil intended for the cultivation of plants. And we are talking about both indoor and agricultural plantings.

What affects soil acidity for plants

The ability of plants to absorb nutrients, macro- and microelements dissolved in water depends on the level of acidity.

It also affects other indicators:

1. Physical properties of soil. If the acidity is too high, acidification occurs, which makes it difficult for the absorption of certain nutrients. On alkaline soils, the absorption of iron is reduced, leading to plant diseases, such as chlorosis, accompanied by yellowing of the leaves.
2. Inhibition of the activity of a number of soil microorganisms.
3. The level of compounds dissolved in water that are toxic to vegetation (manganese, boron, iron, aluminum, and so on) is increasing.

For fertility, the optimal level of soil pH is of great importance, which is in the range of 5.5 in the upper layers and 4.8 in depth. This is suitable for most plants, allowing them to fully absorb the necessary elements and successfully assimilate them.

However, in potting and gardening, landscape design, a number of ornamental plants require special conditions comparable to those that were in their homeland.For some, the increased acidity of soil mixtures is important, while for others it is more alkaline. That is why the correct composition of the soil and the level of its acidity are of great importance.

On what depends

The acidity of a soil is related to its ability to exhibit properties characteristic of acids. The soil solution contains hydrogen ions, as well as exchangeable aluminum and hydrogen ions in the absorbing complex with incomplete neutralization, which gives the soil an acidic reaction. The more of them, the higher the level of acidity; the smaller, the lower it is.

Acidity is not a stable indicator. It may change depending on fluctuations in external conditions, for example, with significant precipitation, the introduction of certain substances and fertilizers, the activity of soil microorganisms, and so on.

It is important to control it, especially if plants with certain requirements for acid-base balance are planted in the soil mixture.For example, if the acidity level for plants demanding acidic soils changes, their leaves will signal this first by yellowing, and then by wilting. This is a clear indicator that, due to a change in the acidic reaction to alkaline, the roots stopped absorbing the necessary micro- and macroelements, which led first to the disease, and then to the death of the flower.

How to identify it

In order for plants to grow successfully, be strong and he althy, you need to monitor the state of soil acidity. This is especially important when growing indoor plants, which cannot adapt to the soil composition due to the limited amount of soil in the pot, as well as because of their acidity requirements. However, this does not mean that outdoor ornamental and agricultural plants need less acidity testing. They are also demanding on her level.

A variety of methods and tools are used to measure pH.

Litmus paper

This is the easiest and most affordable way to test soil acidity. It will require inexpensive litmus paper, which can be purchased at the nearest pharmacy.

To measure acidity, you need to take several samples of the earth from different areas. They are wrapped in a clean flap, placed in a washed glass container, poured with distilled water. Tap water should not be taken as it may affect the measurement result.

After a five-minute interval, quickly dip a litmus test into the water. Its reaction will show the pH level: in acidic soils, it will turn red and orange, neutral ones will give all shades of yellow and green, and alkaline soils will be blue and purple. The richer the color, the higher the level.

pH meter

This is a pH meter. It is used not only in agronomy, but also in many other industries where environmental control is important. Such a device is available in dozens of options, including for use in indoor floriculture and in the garden.

Since neutral levels are preferred for most cultivated crops, regular pH measurements can detect changes in pH towards acidity or alkalinity, in time to take appropriate action.

Folk methods

In addition to expensive methods and devices, it is possible to determine the state of the soil by fairly simple methods.

Indicator plants

They will not give accurate readings, but they can easily divide soils into alkaline, neutral or acidic. To do this, you need to find out which plants grow on the site:

1. If it is dominated by mosses, as well as buttercups, meadow grass or field pike, white-bearded - acidic soils.
2. Wheat grows and winters well on neutral soils, alfalfa and clover flourish.
3. Alkaline soils like cloves, asparagus, leeks, currants (red and white).

Most plants prefer neutral soils or medium pH towards acidity or alkalinity.

Vinegar

You can test the soil at home with ordinary vinegar. By dropping on the ground, you can get the following results:

1. Alkaline earth will react violently with foam.
2. Neutral - some foam.
3. Sour - no symptoms.

It should be borne in mind that the soils in one area may vary, especially with strong elevation changes.

Chalk

This method is the opposite of the vinegar test. It can be carried out at home or in the country. Chalk will foam when reacting with acidic soil, will show no effect on alkaline soil, and will show minimal manifestations when in contact with neutral soil.

Grape juice

This method will help determine the acidity of the area if there is no vinegar or chalk on hand.

Visual

When examining the site, you can notice a whitish hue, characteristic of acidic podzolic soils. You can also pay attention to the color of beet tops. On neutral and slightly alkaline soil, it is green with burgundy lines. The higher the acidity, the brighter red the leaves become.

Types of acidity

There are the following types of acidity:

1. Relevant. It represents the pH level of the soil solution. Significant is pH. This is a neutral level, below it the reaction is acidic, above it is alkaline.
2. Potential. This is the acidity of the hard part of the soil.
3. Exchange. It is caused by exchangeable aluminum and hydrogen cations that pass into solution from the soil absorbing complex when interacting with s alts of a neutral reaction.
4. Hydrolytic. This is the pH of the extract with a solution of hydrolytically alkaline sodium acetate.

Too high and low acidity levels are toxic to the root system of plants, so monitoring pH levels is an important way to maintain planting fertility and he alth, to get a big harvest.

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