Soil pH Flashcards
What is a calcifuge?
Plants that grow in ACIDIC soil
LOW pH
Name three plants that do well in acidic soil
Camellia japonica Kalmia latifolia (Mountain laurel) Pieris floribunda (genus in blueberry family) Some heathers Gorse- Berberis darwinii geraniums Rhododendron arboreum
What is a Calcicole?
Plants that do well in alkaline soils
HIGH pH
Name plants that do well in an alkaline soil
Agapanthus
Geranium
Rudbeckia fulgida
What does soil pH mean?
The term used for measuring a soil reaction
What is the scale of a pH?
0- most acidic
7- neutral
14- Alkaline
What pH are most garden soils in the British Isles?
5.8-6.9 pH
This suits most garden plants as most nutrients available here
What are the harmful effects of soil acidity?
Few fruit and veg grow well
Soil organism activity reduced-they can’t break down OM below 4.7pH
Some nutrients become soluble
What nutrients become soluble in an acidic soil?
Aluminium
Manganese
Phosphorus
Molybdenum
Why can a pH of a soil be low?
Calcium and magnesium levels could be low.
These are essential plant nutrients
What is a calcareous soil?
A soil too high in lime (calcium)
What harmful effects on a plant does a calcareous soil have?
Lime-induced Chlorosis
Leaves become a pale, sickly yellow colour
Growth and crop yield reduced
How could you lower a pH of a soil?
Add FYM (Farm Yard Manure) it is acidic so use as a mulch or dig into soil.
Describe lime-induced chlorosis
A leaf looks a sickly yellow colour Caused by an unsuitable pH (too much lime) Leaves can wilt/die back Growth stunted Younger leaves affected first
What is Chlorosis?
Can be caused by drought,
cold temperature in younger leaves
Water logged soil
The yellowing of leaves
