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pH is a measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) a substance is. When you test pH, you are measuring the number of positively charged hydrogen atoms.
The higher the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more acidic your sample is. The lower the concentration of hydrogen ions, the more alkaline your sample is. Acidic substances decrease from pH 0 to pH 7 on the pH scale. Basic substances lie between pH 7 and pH 14 on the pH scale. pH 7 is neutral; it is neither acidic nor alkaline.
Common acidic substances include orange juice, soft drinks, and black coffee. Common bases include gin, baking soda, and household cleaners. Pure water is completely neutral at pH 7.
Soil pH Meter 0-12ph HANNA HI981030
Plants that grow in acidic soils include apple trees (pH5 – pH6.5), potatoes (pH4.5 – pH6), and orchids (pH4.5 – pH5.5). Alkaline-loving plants include acacia and walnut (both prefer soils around pH 6- pH 8).
To determine the best pH value you need, you need to do some research on the type of plant you want to grow. Natural soils typically range between pH 4 and pH 8. If your soil pH does not fit within the optimal pH range for your plant, you will need to treat your soil.
| Vegetables | Optimal pH |
| Artichoke | 6.5-7.5 |
| Asparagus | 6-8 |
| Barley | 6-7 |
| Bean | 6-7.5 |
| Brussels sprouts | 6-7.5 |
| Mealies) | 6-7.5 |
| Cucumber | 5.5-7.5 |
| Early carrot | 5.5-7 |
| Early Potato | 4.5-6 |
| Eggplant | 5.5-7 |
| Late Carrot | 5.5-7 |
| Late Potato | 4.5-6 |
| Lettuce | 6-7 |
| Melon | 5.5-6.5 |
| Oatmeal | 6-7 |
| Onion | 6-7 |
| Peas | 6-7.5 |
| Pepper | 6-7 |
| Red pumpkin | 5.5-7.5 |
| Rice | 5-6.5 |
| Soybeans | 5.5-6.5 |
| Spinach | 6-7.5 |
| Strawberry | 5-7.5 |
| String beans | 6-7.5 |
| Sugar beet | 6-7 |
| Sunflower | 6-7.5 |
| Sweet potato | 5.5-6 |
| Tomato | 5.5-6.5 |
| Watermelon | 5.5-6.5 |
| Wheat | 6-7 |
| Flower | Optimal pH |
| Plum Blossom | 6-7 |
| Acanthus leaves | 6-7 |
| Immortelle | 6-6.5 |
| Paper flowers | 5.5-7.5 |
| Peony | 6-7.5 |
| Heather | 4.5-6 |
| Spurge | 6-7 |
| Fuchsia | 5.5-7.5 |
| Gentian | 5-7.5 |
| Gladiolus | 6-7 |
| pear tree | 6-7.5 |
| Hyacinth | 6.5-7.5 |
| Iris | 5-6.5 |
| Juniper | 5-6.5 |
| Ligustrum | 5-7.5 |
| Magnolia | 5-6 |
| Narcissus | 6-8.5 |
| Oleander | 6-7.5 |
| Paulownia | 6-8 |
| Portulaca | 5.5-7.5 |
| Primula | 6-7.5 |
| Rhododendron | 4.5-6 |
| Rose | 5.5-7 |
| Tree of life | 6-7.5 |
| Sunflower | 6-7 |
| Tulip | 6-7 |
| Herbaceous plant | 5.5-6.5 |
| Fruit trees | Optimal pH |
| Apple | 5-6.5 |
| Apricot | 6-7 |
| Cherry | 6-7.5 |
| Grapefruit | 6-7.5 |
| Grape | 6-7 |
| Lemon | 6-7 |
| Nectarine | 6-7.5 |
| Orange | 5-7 |
| Dig | 6-7.5 |
| Pear | 6-7.5 |
| Plum | 6-7.5 |
| Save | 5.5-6.5 |
| Walnut | 6-8 |
A consistent and accurate soil pH is essential to ensure optimal plant growth and crop yield, as it aids in the uptake of nutrients by the plant. Testing soil pH helps in selecting the most suitable crops for your farmland.
Sometimes soil needs supplements such as fertilizers and pH adjusters for plant growth. Measuring pH can help determine which type and how much you need.
How to measure pH of soil
There are two basic ways to test soil pH from a soil sample: sample test and direct measurement in soilIt is important that the soil sample and the sample to be measured are taken from the same place and using the same method at each time of testing.
CHECKING THE PH OF THE SAMPLE
This method allows you to take a representative sample of the entire area in just one measurement. Because soil pH can vary over a small area, it is important to be sure that the sample is representative. The soil should be taken from the same depth below the ground for each measurement.
When using this method of sampling, take a soil sample next to the plant, as well as a few samples further away (keep the two samples separate). This is a bit more work, but you will get a more accurate reading since nutrient levels, soil type, and moisture can vary throughout the site.
All of these affect soil pH, so it is necessary to record the pH at each location taken.
HOW TO TEST SOIL WITH MUD SAMPLE MEASUREMENT METHOD
PH/MV/Temperature Meter HANNA HI8314-1
Many things can affect soil pH. The most common factors are tweather and climate, other plants in the growing area, pH of irrigation water, soil type, type of fertilizer used and available nutrients.
Seasonal changes in temperature, rainfall, sunlight and weather affect soil pH. For example, high annual rainfall will leach many nutrients from the soil. Many nutrients, such as calcium carbonate, are alkaline, so when they leach from the soil, the soil becomes more acidic.
Water coming into contact with decomposing matter in the soil (e.g. leaves) can also cause a drop in pH, because the decomposition produces carbon dioxide, which when combined with water forms acid.
In arid climates or drought-stricken areas, the soil will be more alkaline. Because the soil lacks water, the higher concentration of minerals and salts increases the pH value.
Native plants and local ecosystems can determine the initial pH of your soil. Soils under grass tend to be less acidic, while soils under large trees tend to be more acidic. This is because there is more decaying matter (e.g. leaves) near the trees. The crops you grow can change the pH of your soil.
The water you use for irrigation will also affect the pH of your soil. If the water you use for irrigation is more acidic or alkaline than the soil you are using, the pH of your soil will change.
Is your soil granite, limestone, or clay? These primary materials will determine whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. Soils with more clay will be more acidic while soils with more limestone will be more alkaline.
The structure of the soil will also determine how difficult it is to adjust the pH value of the soil; this is also known as the buffering capacity of the soil. Sandy soils have a lower buffering capacity while clay soils have a higher buffering capacity. It will be more difficult to change the pH value of the soil with a higher buffering capacity.
Soil fertilization is important for achieving the highest yield of your crops. Because pH affects the availability of nutrients to your plants, it is important to test your soil pH before and after applying any fertilizer. By determining the pH, you can determine the amount and type of fertilizer to apply.
Artificial nitrogen fertilizers are designed to lower the pH of the soil as much as possible. Organic fertilizers will acidify the soil as soon as they come into contact with water, as they contain water-soluble organic acids.
Plants cannot absorb nutrients if the soil pH is too high or too low. When the pH is neutral, nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus are bound to other substances in the soil. When nutrients are in a bound form, they are not available to plants.
Most soil nutrients are slightly acidic, but different plants grow in different pH ranges depending on the specific nutrients they require. If the pH is too low, aluminum toxicity can occur. The aluminum is then in an unbound form and is absorbed by plants at toxic levels.
If the pH is too high, nutrients like iron will be in a bound form. Without enough iron, plants will lose chlorophyll and turn yellow, meaning they can no longer make their own food. Molybdenum toxicity can occur in alkaline soils, causing plants to stunt.
Now that you know what pH is in soil, each type of plant will have a different pH scale in the soil to help the plant grow better. If you are looking for a device to measure pH directly in the soil from famous brands such as Hanna instrument, Atago, Sato…., choose from many models on our website.
SEMIKI is a leading company in the market providing automatic measurement solutions in agriculture. pH measuring products are being consulted and distributed by SEMIKI to many customers in plant production, soil research, etc.
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SEMIKI Measuring Equipment Company Limited
Email: sales@semiki.com
Phone: +84 9797 61016