Farmers to test the soil for acidity are the urges the government is giving farmers. Different agricultural organizations urge, farmers to test the soil for acidity. “Soil acidity” expresses the quantity of hydrogen (H) and aluminum (Al) cation (positively charged ions) in soils. Soil pH is an indicator of “soil acidity”. A pH of 7.0 is defined as neutral. Values below 7.0 are acidic, and values above 7.0 are basic or alkaline.
Causes of soil acidity
Calcium and magnesium in the soil leaches out.
This happens because:
- Plant residues and organic matter adds hydrogen to the soil by decomposition.
- Addition of manure ,plant residues and fertilizer causes nitrification of ammonia to occur.
Lime will neutralize this acidity by dissolving, whereupon it releases a base into the soil solution that reacts with the acidic components, hydrogen and aluminum. Most plants can grow in slightly acidic soils. The goal of liming is not to raise the pH to neutral (7.0), but to avoid crop problems related to excessive acidity. Lime can be applied to yards and gardens by hand or with small manual or garden tractor spreaders.
Benefits of maintaining your soil pH
They include:
- Plants develops healthier due to exposure to less potentially toxic aluminum.
- Optimal pH allows the breakdown of some herbicides, preventing damage to rotational crops.
- Enhances nodulation of legumes which improves nitrogen fixation.
- Increased soil occurs, as well as reduced leaching of basic cation, particularly potassium.
- Improves nutrient solubility by a higher pH, so plants have a better nutrient supply.
Maintenance of proper soil pH can increase your crop income and improve your lawn and garden performance. However, there is recommendation of varing rates of lime depending on the best pH for the particular soil class and crop combination.
Agricultural organizations urge the use of organic farming. Organic farming, agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers derived largely from animal and plant wastes and nitrogen-fixing cover crops. developed as a response to the environmental harm caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
https://tarifa.co.ke/how-to-get-best-out-of-your-time-and-money/