Soil pH and

Application Note 07-2015

Nutrient Availability
The desirable soil pH range for optimum
plant growth varies among crops.
Generally, soil pH 6.0-7.5 is acceptable
for most plants as most nutrients
become available in this pH range. Soil
pH can be determined by mixing soil
sample with water and then measuring
the resulting aqueous solution.

Introduction and magnesium are less available

to the plant. In highly alkaline soil, Method
Soil pH is a measure of the acidity phosphorus and most micronutrients
or alkalinity in soils. In the pH scale, become less available. Calibrate the LAQUAtwin pH meter
pH 7.0 is neutral. Below 7.0 is acidic according to manufacturer’s instructions
and above 7.0 is basic or alkaline. When designing or planting new using at least two pH buffers that bracket
Soil pH affects nutrients available garden or landscape, it is helpful to the expected sample pH.
for plant growth. In highly acidic check the soil pH as different plants
thrive in different soil pH ranges. pH Sample Preparation And
soil, aluminum and manganese can Measurement
become more available and more toxic determination can give indication
whether soil is suitable for the plants The method described below is based
to plant while calcium, phosphorus, on US EPA Method 9045D. This is also
to be grown or it needs to be adjusted
to produce optimum plant growth. applicable for measuring pH of waste
Soil pH Plant Growth samples, which may be solids, sludges, or
non-aqueous liquids. If water is present, it
Soil pH can be measured easily and
> 8.3 Too alkaline for most plants must constitute less than 20% of the total
inexpensively at home or on-site volume of the sample.
using LAQUAtwin pH meters. There
Iron availability becomes a
7.5 are three (3) LAQUAtwin pH meter 1. Add 20ml of pure water to 20g sample
problem on alkaline soils
models available, namely pH 11, 22, in a beaker or container. Stir for 5
7.2 and 33. These pocket-sized compact minutes then cover.
meters allow two to five calibration 2. Let the soil suspension stand for about
points using either NIST or USA pH 1 hour. Alternatively, filter or centrifuge
7.0 6.8 to 7.2 – near neutral
buffers. Among the above-mentioned off the water phase.
6.0 to 7.5 – acceptable for
models, the pH 33 meter has built-in 3. Measure the pH of water
6.8 most plants
temperature sensor that measures phase. Record the pH value
and displays temperature reading and and the temperature.
6.0 automatic temperature compensation
feature (ATC) that performs automatic To obtain accurate results, standard buffer
5.5 Reduced soil microbial activity calibration to the exact pH of the solutions and samples should be measured
buffer at the measured temperature. at the same temperature. If the electrode
< 4.6 Too acid for most plants is coated with oily material from a sample,
Refer to the specifications of each
clean it with detergent and warm water.
(Source: Colorado State University – CMG Garden Notes #222)
meter model for more information.
Continued at the back
Continued from the front

pH 4.0-6.0 pH 5.0-6.5 pH 6.0-7.5 pH 5.0-7.5 pH 6.0-8.0 Acidic Neutral Alkaline ground agricultural
Potato Apple Apricot Banana Avocado
limestone and wood
Strongly acidic Optimum pH range Strong alkalinity
Blackberry Cherry Rhubarb Asparagus
for plant growth
ashes can increase
Cranberry Grapevine Strawberry Ginger
Gooseberyy Grapefruit Rasberry Leek
the soil pH. The finer
Nitrogen
Mango Hazelnut Carrot Mint the limestone, the
Melon Hop Cauliflower Paprika Phosphorous more rapid it becomes
Pineapple Lemon Sweet corn Watercress
Pomegranate Lychee Cucumber effective. Different soils
Major nutrient Potassium
Watermelon Mulberry Garlic
deficiencies will require a different
Basil Nectarine Lentil
Chicory Peach Parsley Sulfur amount of lime to adjust
Fennel Plum Pepper
Calcium the soil pH. Wood
Olive Quince Pumpkin
Peanut Artichoke Shallot ashes contain high
Magnesium
Sweet potato Bean Spearmint amounts of potassium
Rice Beetroot Thyme Iron
Rosemary Broccoli Tomato
and calcium, and
Sage Brussels sprouts Turnip Manganese Trace small amounts of
Soybean
element
Cabbage
Calabrese Boron deficiencies phosphate, boron
Celery and other nutrients.
Chinese cabbage Copper and Zinc
Chives
Although not as
Lettuce Molybdenum effective as limestone,
Millet Soil pH and Nutrient Availability these can drastically
Mushroom (Source: Bluedale - http://www.bluedale.com.au )
Mustard increase the soil pH
Onion with repeated use.
Pea
Peppermint manganese are micronutrients required
Radish
by the plant in very small amounts. Most Decreasing Soil pH
Spinach
secondary and micronutrient deficiencies Aside from ammonium-based fertilizers
(Source: Gurumaganize.org)
are easily corrected by keeping the soil at and organic matter, aluminum sulfate
Results and Benefits the optimum pH value. and sulfur are common materials used
for decreasing soil pH. Aluminum sulfate
The desirable soil pH range for optimum Soil pH also affects activity of soil is preferred as it changes the soil pH as
plant growth varies among crops. Generally, microorganisms. The population of bacteria soon as it dissolves in the soil because
soil pH 6.0-7.5 is acceptable for most plants that decompose organic matter declines of the aluminum. However, too much of
as most nutrients become available in this and their activity is hindered in highly this is toxic to plant. Sulfur takes some
pH range. Soil pH is important because it acidic soil, which results in accumulation time to produce effect as it needs to be
affects the availability of nutrients to plants. of organic matter and the bound nutrients, converted to sulfuric acid by soil bacteria.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium particularly nitrogen. References And Suggested Readings
1. US Environmental Protection Agency Method 9045D
are the primary nutrients needed in fairly Soil and Waste pH, Revision 4, November 2004
large quantities. Calcium, magnesium, and Increasing Soil pH 2. Changing the pH of your Soil. Clemson University
Applying a material that contains some Cooperative Extension. www.clemenson.edu
sulfur are secondary nutrients required
by the plant in lesser quantities. Zinc and form of lime (calcium carbonate) like the
REV 1.0, 22 SEPTEMBER 2015

pH Pocket Meter Lineup

pH 11 pH 22 pH 33
mV mV mV Temp

WATER MICRO 2 PT WATER MICRO 3 PT WATER MICRO 5 PT 0.01 pH

0.1 pH 0.01 pH CAL
PROOF VOLUME CAL PROOF VOLUME CAL PROOF VOLUME

Features Applications include

Flat pH sensor with automatic Soils, Solids, Sludges, Non-Aqueous
temperature compensation offers liquids, etc.
quick measurement of soils and
waste samples

LAQUAtwin Pocket Ion Meter Lineup

pH COND Na+ K+ NO3– Ca2+ Salt EC

Acidity and alkalinity Conductivity and TDS Sodium Ion Potassium Ion Nitrate Ion Calcium Ion Salt (NaCl)

Horiba Instruments (Singapore) Pte Ltd

83 Science Park Drive, #02-02A, IMS
HORIBA Group is operating Integrated Management System (IMS)
The Curie, Singapore 118258
Tel. +65 6908 9660 ISO9001 JOA-0298 / ISO14001 JOA-E-90039 / ISO13485
JOA-MD0010 / OHSAS18001 JOA-OH0068
E-mail: [email protected]
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