Plants-indicators of soil acidity: examples and application features

Soil acidity is considered a very important parameter. If it does not correspond to the planted variety of crops, there is a risk of disturbances in the nutrition process. At low pH values, certain substances, such as boron, copper and zinc, which come from the soil into plants, even become toxic. It is possible to determine the pH parameters with the help of special plants-indicators of soil acidity.

Features of the use of special plants

Before planting crops, it is always recommended to evaluate the acidity parameters. To do this, you can use various methods.So, it is permissible to observe indicator weeds growing on the site. Wild mint, plantain and sorrel testify to increased acidity. In areas with neutral soil, quinoa, nettle and shepherd's purse are found. Dandelion, chamomile, wheatgrass grow in slightly acidic soil.

Also, to determine the parameters of acidity, it is permissible to plant certain vegetable crops. So, beetroot would be a great option. In acidic soil, its tops turn red, while in neutral soil only petioles acquire this shade. When planting a plant in slightly acidic soil, the leaves turn green with red elements.

Indicator plants for acidic, neutral and alkaline soils

Depending on the parameters of acidity, the following types of soils are distinguished:

• acidic - pH values are 6.5 or less;
• neutral - pH values are at the level of 6.6-7.2;
• alkaline - parameters exceed 7.3.

When planning the planting of cultivated plants on the site, it is important to correctly determine the indicators of soil acidity. Depending on this, you can choose certain plants or try to make adjustments to the pH parameters.

Plants-indicators of soil acidity are divided into several categories. So, acidophils grow on acidic soils, neutrophils grow on neutral soils, and basophils grow on alkaline soils.

The following plants indicate high soil acidity at the level of 3-4.5:

• mosses - it can be dicranum, sphagnum or hylocomium;
• lichens - in particular, cetraria;
• club mosses - these include such species as flattened, annual, club-shaped;
• blueberries;
• blueberries;
• sorrel;
• crowberry.

Cowberry, wild rosemary, mountaineer bird are considered moderate acidophiles. They also include wheatgrass, blueberries, sour, mint. The listed plants are found at pH 4.5-6.

In slightly acidic soil with indicators of 5-6.7, there are snake mountaineer, spreading pine forest, bluebells. Raspberries, bracken, black currants, green zelenchuk can also grow in this soil.

In a neutral and slightly acidic substrate with a pH of 4.5-7, mosses are often found - goat willow, hylocomium, pleurosium. Strawberries, clover, lily of the valley, thistle, chamomile, yarrow can also grow in these types of soils.

Neutrophilic plants that prefer pH values of 6-7.3% include Siberian hogweed, bluegrass meadow, chicory, and cycutus stork. Also, such crops are considered medicinal soapwort, wild strawberry, European goutberry.

Neutral and slightly alkaline substrate with pH 6.7-7.8 suitable for alfalfa, bluegrass, bent grass. Also in this type of soil, goose foot, field mustard, delphinium, meadow timothy grass, white tarry grows well.

Basophilic plants that prefer alkaline soil with a pH of 7.8-9 include rough elm and Siberian elderberry.

Plants to detect dry and wet soils

An important characteristic for farmers is soil moisture, or the water content of the soil, which is measured as a percentage. Moisture is very important for the full development of crops. They get most of their water from the soil through their root system.

Sandy and sandy loam types of soil are the most dry. At the same time, clay and loamy soil types are considered the wettest.

To assess the moisture parameters of a site, various methods can be used, including the use of indicator plants.A dry substrate is required for wormwood, almost all types of chamomile, plantain. Also, as an example of plants that normally withstand a lack of moisture, one can cite geranium, summer adonis, common stork.

Wet soil is required for different types of horsetail, meadow mint, marigold. In such soil, goose cinquefoil grows well, creeping ranunculus, meadowsweet. High humidity is needed for sedge, reeds, cattail.

If you correctly determine the amount of water in the ground, you can choose crops that are more adapted to the existing conditions. So, drought is normally perceived by tomatoes, beans, carrots, parsley. At the same time, cucumbers, cabbage, dill, sorrel, garlic, beets, peppers need moisture.

To determine the parameters of acidity, you can use special indicator plants. This will help you choose the right crops for growing in a particular area.

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