The Role of Soil pH in Plant Nutrition and Soil Remediation

• Published in: Applied and environmental soil science Vol. 2019; no. 2019; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Author: Neina, Dora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2019; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Acidic soils; Acidification; Adsorption; Anthropogenic factors; Bioavailability; Biogeochemistry; Biological activity; Biological properties; Biology; Bioremediation; Ecosystem biology; Ecosystems; Human influences; Hydrogen-ion concentration; Influence; Nutrient cycles; Nutrition; Organic chemistry; pH effects; Physical properties; Plant growth; Plant nutrition; Precipitation; Remediation; Soil acidification; Soil acidity; Soil chemistry; Soil ecology; Soil environment; Soil fertility; Soil pH; Soil remediation; Soil sciences; Soils; Trace elements; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1687-7667; 1687-7675
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/5794869

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).