The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation

In the natural environment, soil pH has an enormous influence on soil biogeochemical processes. Soil pH is, therefore, described as the “master soil variable” that influences myriads of soil biological, chemical, and physical properties and processes that affect plant growth and biomass yield. Neina discusses how soil pH affects processes that are interlinked with the biological, geological, and chemical aspects of the soil environment as well as how these processes, through anthropogenic interventions, induce changes in soil pH.

Unlike traditional discussions on the various causes of soil pH, particularly soil acidification, this reserch focuses on relationships and effects as far as soil biogeochemistry is concerned. Firstly, the effects of soil pH on substance availability, mobility, and soil biological processes are discussed followed by the biogenic regulation of soil pH. It is concluded that soil pH can broadly be applied in two broad areas, i.e., nutrient cycling and plant nutrition and soil remediation (bioremediation and physicochemical remediation).

Neina, D. 2019 The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation. Applied and Environmental Soil Science DOI: 10.1155/2019/5794869 https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2019/5794869/