Question

What is the effect of soil pH on: the solubility of minerals, microbial activity, the availability of plant nutrients?

Answer 1

The soil pH effect on solubility of minerals, microbial activity and the availability of plant nutrients:-

Before nutrients can be used by plants it should be dissolved in soil solutions. Out of seventeen essential nutrients fourteen nutrients are available from soil. Most of the nutrients and minerals are dissolved in acidic pH than neutral and alkaline pH. Phosphorus is never readily but it is available in pH range 6.5. Extremely high acedic pH causes high concentration of aluminum, iron, and manganese which inhibit the growth of plants. So pH of 6 to 7 is most suitable for availability of plant nutrients.

Some plants can survive slightly alkaline pH and strong acidic pH also. The soil pH influence the microbial Activity also. Some of the beneficial microorganisms for plants can't survive in high acedic pH which will influence plant growth. Microorganisms can't break down organic matter in high acedic pH which will prevent the availability of nutrients to plants especially nitrogen that is held in organic matter.