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Posted 16 Apr 2024

2 min read

  • Key findings
    • Over 30% of cultivable land in India is said to carry acidic soil, impacting plant growth.
      • Acidic soils are those that have a pH value of less than 5.5.
    • Soil acidification might lead to the loss of Soil Inorganic Carbon (SIC) from topsoil. 
      • SIC includes mineral forms of carbon like calcium carbonate produced by the weathering of parent material or from the reaction of soil minerals with atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).
  • Soil Acidification is a process by which soil pH decreases over time. 

 

  • Factors Accelerating Soil Acidification
    • Leaching of nitrogen released from ammonium-based fertilizers.
    • Organic residues on decomposition release organic acids.
    • Roots, during active growth stages, release CO2 into the soil resulting in the formation of carbonic acid.

 

  • Impacts of Soil Acidification
    • Loss of SIC: SIC is mostly carbonate. Low pH levels dissolve carbonate and remove it either as CO2 gas or release it directly into water.
    • Loss of Microbes: Bacteria cannot survive in acidic conditions.
    • Aluminum Toxicity:  When soil pH drops, aluminum becomes soluble, and its amount in soil solution increases which is toxic to the roots of sensitive plant species.
    • Other Impacts: Rise in Pathogenic fungi, Decreased Nutrients availability, etc.

Managing Acid Soils

  • Liming: Incorporation of Lime, Gypsum, or dolomite into upper cultivable soil layer.
  • Using Industrial By-products: Press mud from sugarcane industry, basic slags from the iron and steel industries, and flue dust from cement plants can be used.
  • Growing acid-tolerant crops e.g. Sugarcane and bananas
  • Tags :
  • Soil Acidification
  • Acid Soil
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