Hi everyone! i know that you all have several questions realated to soil. Don't worry, today we are going to clear all questions.
1) Which soil is 'Acidic' or 'Alkaline'?
- Acidic soilHas a pH level below 7. Acidic soil can be caused by leaching and decomposition, which can wash calcium and magnesium out of the soil. Acidic soil can also be caused by chemical fertilizers, heavy rains, or certain types of mulch.
- Alkaline soilHas a pH level above 7. Alkaline soil is often called "sweet" soil and contains high amounts of calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Alkaline soil can be common in areas that receive little rain or are watered with "hard" water.2) How does ph effect the amount of nutrients available to plants?Here are some ways soil pH affects nutrient availability:
- Acidic soilIn acidic soil, aluminum, manganese, and iron become more available and can be toxic to plants. Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus become less available.
- Alkaline soilIn alkaline soil, calcium ties up phosphorus, making it unavailable to plants. Molybdenum and boron can also become toxic.
- Neutral pHMost mineral nutrients are readily available to plants when soil pH is near neutral. A soil pH of 6.5 is usually considered optimal for nutrient availability3) Which soil have the best texture for plant growth?Loamy soil is best for plant growth as it has high water retention capacity thus it retains water for long and also retains the nutrients which is required for plant growth.4) How drainage level afffect soil health?
- Nutrient lossWhen water is drained from soil, nutrients can be dissolved and move beyond the root zone, a process called leaching.
- AerationPoor drainage can lead to poor aeration, which can promote nitrogen loss through denitrification.
- Greenhouse gas emissionsPoor drainage can lead to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and methane, which are greenhouse gases.
- Crop growthPoor drainage can reduce crop yields due to a lack of oxygen in the root zone.
- Soil colorPoor drainage can lead to a grayish color in the subsoil, which is caused by iron compounds not oxidizing.
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