The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation

TLDR

Soil pH is a master variable that controls biogeochemical, biological, chemical, and physical processes, thereby influencing plant growth and biomass yield. This paper examines how soil pH interlinks with biogeochemical processes and anthropogenic interventions to affect soil properties. The authors analyze the impact of pH on substance availability, mobility, and biological processes, and discuss biogenic regulation of soil pH. They conclude that soil pH is broadly applicable to nutrient cycling, plant nutrition, and soil remediation.

Abstract

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. This paper 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 paper 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).