|
Soil pH is referred to
as the "acidity" of the soil and is measured by the number of Hydrogen ions
present in the soil solution. Since S.W. Pennsylvania receives considerable rainfall
every year, and since rain is H2O, soils tend to revert back to an "acid
condition." Ammonium fertilizers also have an acidifying effect on the soil.
Soil Acidity and Alkalinity
When the soil pH is too
"acid" (low pH) or "alkaline" (high pH), nutrients present in the soil
become locked-up or unavailable. Correcting the pH has the same effect as applying
fertilizer since it "unlocks" plant nutrients already present.
|