Title: Potential of the Different Kinds of Soil to the Growth of

Pechay

pH Basics: What It Is and How to Measure It

Good nutrition is essential to grow plants successfully. Soil pH is one factor to consider
in order to improve plant nutrition and production. Learn more about soil pH and how to
use a pH meter below.

What is Soil pH?

 A measure of the acidity or basicity of your soil.

 Soil pH is important since it affects the growth of plants and the severity of
some diseases.

What does pH affect?

Measuring pH
pH is measured on a scale of 0-14. A soil or water pH reading below 7 is considered
acidic, while a pH reading above 7 is basic. A pH reading of 7 is neutral, and is ideal for
many plants and spray materials. The pH scale is logarithmic, which means that a pH
reading of 6 is ten times more acidic than a reading of 7. You can measure the pH of
your soil, your spray tank water or your irrigation/fertigation water.

Soils:
Crops, ornamentals and turf need careful pH management to maintain their best quality
and appearance. The wrong pH can lock nutrients in the soil, making them unavailable
to plant roots. A pH that's too high or low can make disease, insect and weed problems
worse.

 
Spray tank water:
If your spray tank water is too acidic or too basic, the pesticides you mix in can be
deactivated and may even burn your plants.

Irrigation/fertigation water:
The pH of water you apply to your plants should match your desired soil pH, otherwise
the water applied will gradually change soil pH.

pH Levels
Acceptable pH varies by plant type. If you're not sure what's best for your plants, you
can check a reference book or ask your seed or chemical dealer, Cooperative
Extension agent or private consultant.

Remember, when you adjust soil pH levels you can also affect plant growth, nutrition
and susceptibility to pests. When setting a pH goal for your soil, you will want to take all
of these considerations into account.

Acidic fertilizers can be used to lower pH and limestone is often used to raise pH. The
type of limestone or fertilizer applied and your soil type can make a difference in how
quickly and how much pH will change.

How to Test Soil pH

1. Sample—Collect 15-20 soil samples per field, fairway or potting mix.

2. Mix—Place these samples in a clean plastic container.
3. Measure—Remove a small amount (coffee measure) of soil from your mix
and add to an equal amount of distilled water.
4. Shake and wait—Stir or shake the soil and water mixture vigorously. Then
let it sit for five minutes.
5. Test—Turn on your pH meter and remove the cap to expose the sensor
completely in the solution. Record the reading on the meter.