Relationship of Soil pH to Nutrient Availability

The degree of the soil's acid or base state is known as pH.  7.0 is considered neutral.  As you go above 7.0, it becomes more basic or alkaline.  Below 7.0 becomes more acid.

What does soil pH affect?

• The chemical reaction between plant roots and nutrients.
• The availability of nutrients in the soil for plant use.
• Soil applied herbicides.
• Microbial activity.

Improper application of nutrients many times results from the soil pH not being correct.  Crops not yielding or plants not growing as expected?  The answer must be to add more fertilizer, right?  Maybe or maybe not.  A soil test is essential to determine soil pH and the right balance of nutrients that are needed.  Generally, a soil pH of 6.8 is a target pH for the crops show to the left.