Determine if the soil is acidic. How to determine the acidity of the soil yourself: the main methods and instruments for measuring pH

The concept of soil acidity is used to denote the ability of the soil to manifest itself as an acid. Acidity can be determined by the accumulation of excess hydrogen ions in soils that result from chemical reactions. If the acidity of the soil is high, then numerous crops, both vegetable and berry, do not grow and do not develop.

Indeed, during the reactions, such compounds are formed that are inaccessible to the nutrition of plant roots. This leads to the fact that although there are nutrients, the plant cannot absorb them and does not develop further.

Soluble salts can leave the soil with rain and melt water, which leads to its depletion. Also, an increase in the acidity of the soil contributes to the abundant application of mineral fertilizers.

In total, all these actions lead to an increase in the acidity of the soil, and in order for the plant to develop normally, neither top dressing nor other methods will help.

A pH scale has been developed in order to be able to determine the acidity of soils, in which pH is a parameter that can be translated as “hydrogen potential strength”.

This parameter ranges from 0 to 14. If you look at it, then a level of less than 4 pH indicates a very strong acidity.

Levels of 4-4.5 pH indicate a strong acidity of the soil, a level from 4.5 to 5.0 - average level acidity, and the level of 5.1-5.5 shows weak acidity. All values ​​above 5.5 pH are considered neutral.

The level of acidity in the soil is the main indicator for planting plants. If you know the acidity, you can plan plantings, taking into account which plants grow on which soil.

If the level of acidity in the soil is increased, then most plants will develop and absorb nutrients worse, due to the activation of aluminum and manganese, which can be toxic to plants.

The microflora of the soil will not be able to recycle organic compounds and all useful material will not be able to transform into a form that plants can assimilate.

Inhibition of development and growth of roots and their activity will follow. Plants get sick from lack of nutrients. The fruits of plants growing on soils with high acidity acquire a bright sour taste.

Most plants prefer a slightly acidic environment, almost neutral, a level of about 5.5-6.5 pH. And in order to create conditions for their optimal development, it is necessary to remove excess acidity from the soil, in scientific language this is called the term - deoxidize.

Determination of soil acidity

There are several ways to try to find out the acidity using specialized instruments or on your own.

Soil appearance

This method is the simplest. You need to carefully study the soil. With an overestimated acidity of the soil, it will have a shade of rust. And the accumulation of water on the site will be covered thin film shimmering in the sun.

growing plants

The second way to determine acidity is to analyze the plants that grow on this soil. Any species grows only where it is satisfied with the acidity of the soil.

Looking at the types of plants that grow freely in the territory, one can assume the acidity of the soil, while you also need to pay attention to how the plants are concentrated.

On slightly acidic and neutral soils, plants develop very well, and a lot of weeds grow. On alkaline soil, there is little greenery and it does not have a high growth.

Klychnikov's method

This method for determining acidity was created by the agronomist Klychnikov. In order to determine the acidity with its help, it is necessary to take a sample of the soil, which will be examined.

Let it dry and fill the bottle about half way. Next, you need to take a crumbled piece of chalk, wrap it in paper and lower it into a bottle.

After that, put a fingertip on the neck or cut off a part from a rubber glove, in which there should be no air. After that, you can take the bottle through a towel or put your hand in a fabric glove and shake it so that the chalk mixes with the soil.

If the acidity in the soil is increased, then when chalk is mixed with it, carbon dioxide will be released, which will fill the rubber fingertip.

If at the same time the fingertip is completely filled, and when pressing on it, strong pressure is felt, then the acidity is high, if the pressure is weak, then the soil is slightly acidic.

Litmus paper

These are special pieces of paper impregnated with special substances. Each degree of acidity corresponds to different color paper.

To determine the acidity, it is necessary to collect soil in a clean cloth, tie it tightly and lower it into water, while the water must be distilled.

After the water is saturated with soil, a piece of paper is lowered into it until any color appears on it. This color should be compared with the scale, which describes the colors and their corresponding acidity.

Colors within red hues indicate strongly acid soil, orange hues medium acid, yellow hues slightly acidic, green hues neutral, and blues and blues alkaline.

This method is considered quite reliable. Kits of litmus papers can be purchased at gardening stores.

Vinegar

Sometimes acidity is determined using vinegar. This definition is not particularly precise, but may indicate a direction for further work.

The collected soil sample is poured onto the glass and dripped on top of it with 9% vinegar. When soil and vinegar come into contact, a reaction will take place, and acidity is determined from it.

If a lot of foam is formed, then this means high acidity of the soil. If there is not much foam, then this indicates moderate acidity. And if foam is not formed at all, then the soil is alkaline.

Beet

If there is a planted beet on the site, then the acidity of the soil is determined by its tops. The red color of beet tops indicates acidic soil. If the tops are green and red, then the soil is moderately acidic. And completely green tops grow in beets only on neutral soils.

Grape juice

Tea from currant leaves

Tear off a few leaves of currant and brew with boiling water. After the tea has cooled, some earth is put into it, and if the liquid turns red, this will indicate acidic soil.

And if the color is blue, then the soil is alkaline. In neutral soil, the tea will turn green.

red cabbage

When grown on site red cabbage, you can try to determine the acidity of the soil by its leaves. Cabbage must be thinly sliced, pour water in a saucepan and boil for 30 minutes.

Cut white paper into strips and cool the cabbage solution. Then lower the strips into the broth and dry on a wire rack. Thus, homemade litmus papers are obtained.

If the color does not change, then the soil on the site is neutral, if painted in pink color, then the soil is slightly acidic, and staining red will indicate a strongly acidic soil.

Special instruments for determining acidity

The most accurate way in order to determine the acidity of the soil in the conditions of a country or personal plot, is the use of instruments that analyze the soil: pH meters, acid meters and soil probes.

They are very simple to use, just stick a probe into the ground and after a while the scale will show the degree of acidity.

Regulation of acidity on the site

Different groups of plants take root well on soils with different levels of acidity. And sometimes the question arises of how to change the acidity of the soil for growing a particular type of plant. To reduce or increase acidity, I use deoxidizers.

If the soil in the area is alkaline, and it needs to be raised to neutral, then this can be done by introducing manure, peat or compost. To increase acidity on one square meter soil, will require 9 kilograms of compost.

It is imperative to comply with the norms for applying lime, otherwise you can burn the roots of young plants. Therefore, it is best to carry out liming in the fall, during the digging of the site, and will have to be repeated every five years.

You can also use to lower the acidity level. wood ash. It is also introduced into the soil when digging in the fall, and the norm is about 600 grams per square meter.

Sometimes, in order to change the acidity of the soil downward, green manure crops are sown, which fluff the soil with penetrating roots and lift layers with nutrients from its depth.

Subsequently, they replace manure, which is a deoxidizer. These properties are following plants: alfalfa, oats, rye, legumes, and others.

It is also possible to use special preparations to change the acidity. At the same time, they still contain in their composition substances that will be useful for growing plants.

They are very easy to use and do not require strong physical effort. They are also brought in when digging into autumn period, and their positive effect is manifested in the second and third years.

Growing various plants

When choosing which plants or trees to plant on your site, it is necessary to take into account the acidity of the soil and which plants prefer just such acidity.

Correct determination of soil acidity is the key to success in planning and planting. different cultures Location on.

Soil acidity is determined by the amount of hydrogen ions in it. If there are a lot of them, the soil is acidic, if there are few, it is alkaline. For any gardener, the so-called actual acidity is important - an indicator that is measured in pH (pash, means "weight of hydrogen" in solution).

Each type of plant gets used to a certain acidity of the soil and grows on soils with a different acidity, blooms and bears fruit poorly, or even dies. This is due to the fact that acidity affects the ability of the plant to assimilate certain micro- and macroelements from the soil. Therefore, when recommending the cultivation of a particular plant (trees, bushes, herbs, root crops, flowers, etc.), the required soil acidity is always mentioned.

What is the acidity of the soil?

Conventionally, the level of soil acidity is divided into three groups:

• acidic soils have a pH less than 6.5;
• neutral soils - from 6.5 to 7.5;
• alkaline soils - more than 7.5.

The vast majority of plants are not able to grow on very acidic soils (pH less than 4.0) and very alkaline (pH more than 8.0). So:

• soil acidity that is comfortable for plants ranges from 4.1 to 7.9 pH;
• most soils have an acidity of 5.5 to 7.5 pH, suitable for a garden, a kitchen garden, and flower beds (unless the plants still need to be selected for the existing acidity or the acidity of the soil should be adjusted for the plants you are going to grow).

To understand what soil acidity is typical for your site, you can laboratory analysis or use special equipment. However, in most cases, we do not need such an accurate determination of acidity. You can just "estimate by eye" and understand which plants are best grown on this soil. Or figure out how to adjust the acidity (for example, whether to add nitrogen fertilizers) in order to grow what you want.

For this, there are a number of simple ways. You don't even have to buy an expensive super-device (if you really want to use science, then relatively inexpensive garden probes - a stick with an indicator on the end - are quite suitable). However, even this is not necessary, there are much simpler methods.

Determination of acidity by type of soil

Different in mechanical composition (sand, silt, clay, loam) and natural structure (peaty, soddy, etc.) soils initially have a certain type of acidity (see figure).

You need to understand that this is just a starting point. Even just growing certain plants on the ground or adding various fertilizers to it, we slightly change the basic acidity. However, for a rough understanding of what kind of soil you have on the site, such a scheme can be useful.

Determination of acidity by plant type

If some trees, grass, flowers and other greenery are already growing on your site, then you can easily determine the acidity of the soil using the following table.

Soil acidity	Plants
Moderately acidic soils (pH 4.0–4.5)	Wild rosemary, heather, marsh viola, shadberry, viburnum, cranberry, lupine, moss, rhododendron, plantain, color violet, horseradish, sorrel.
Medium acid soils (pH 4.5–5.0)	Azalea, blue hydrangea, feces, potatoes, lily of the valley, lily, mint, plantain, mountain ash, pine, blueberries.
Slightly acidic soils (pH 5.1–6.0)	Quince, amaryllis, watermelon, eggplant, begonia, cornflower, lawn grasses, carnation, gerbera, pink hydrangea, jasmine, wild strawberry, chestnut, nettle, gooseberry, hazel, lemongrass, onion, snapdragon, buttercup, raspberry, coltsfoot , sea buckthorn, dandelion, sedge, pelargonium, primrose, radish, currant, pine, couch grass, pumpkin, horsetail, fuchsia, cyclamen, sorrel.
Neutral soils (pH around 6.1–7.0)	Acacia, amaranth, marigold, swede, elderberry, elm, carnation, pea, oak, squash, cabbage, nettle, maple, quinoa, levkoy, linden, cucumber, shepherd's purse, parsley, knotweed, radish, tomato, chicory, garlic and etc. - majority garden plants(including bulbous flowers).
Neutral and slightly alkaline (pH 7.0–7.5)	Legumes, beech, cherry, bindweed, buckthorn, alfalfa, daisy, coltsfoot, daisy, shepherd's purse, chamomile, beet, currant, chrysanthemum, wheatgrass, apple tree.
Slightly alkaline soils (pH 7.5–8)	Astilba, cornflower, dahlia, clover, feather grass, corn, poppy, daffodil, wormwood, mignonette, rose, tulip.
Alkaline soils (pH 8.1–8.5)	Astra (Chinese, Alpine), hawthorn, Chinese carnation, elm, maple, levkoy, boxwood, thyme (thyme), chrysanthemum, yucca, ash

Many crops are able to grow on soils with a wide range of acidity. For example, potatoes can be grown on soils with a pH of 4.5 to 6.0, the main thing for him is not to lime the ground, he does not like this. Parsley is ready to grow at a pH of 5.0 to 7.0, and pumpkin and squash in general in almost any soil - they are suitable for a pH of 5.0 to 8.5.

Plants that are almost indifferent to acidity also include barberry, birch, privet, shadberry, mountain ash, lilac, spirea and some others.

Therefore, the pH ranges shown in the table are the most comfortable for the respective plants. So if some culture grows to the envy of everyone, then this means that it has landed on ideal soil for itself, and acidity can be immediately determined from it. If the plant does not feel too good, then you need to look for reasons - and the first will be the acidity of the soil that is not suitable for it.

Determination of acidity using improvised indicators

The easiest way is to use the usual litmus test. For this:

• dig a small hole 10-15 cm deep in the area under study and take a sample of the earth from the sides of the hole;
• pour this sample into a small jar;
• fill with water a little more than upper layer ground, shake or stir;
• set aside the jar for 15-20 minutes;
• shake the jar and, as soon as the main suspension settles, dip a litmus paper into the water for 2-3 seconds: it will change color, which will tell you the level of acidity.

Litmus is the most famous and widely used substance for determining the level of acid or alkali. The strips of paper impregnated with it are called litmus paper (or a color indicator, or an indicator strip, or a test strip).

Litmus paper has only three colors:

• red indicates that the solution is acidic;
• purple - that it is neutral;
• blue - that it is alkaline.

You can buy litmus paper (separately or in sets: one strip will cost you no more than 1 ruble) you can:

• in stores that sell chemical reagents;
• in pet stores (where they are sold to measure the acidity of the water in the aquarium);
• in online stores;
• in pharmacies;
• rare, but they are also found in some gardening stores.

However, you can not look for test strips, but use improvised means. Best suited for this black currant leaves(some varieties of cherries are also suitable):

• pick 3-5 leaves, put in a glass and pour boiling water almost to the top;
• cover the glass and leave for 20-30 minutes;
• when the water has cooled, throw a lump of earth into the glass.

You will see that the water immediately changed color:

• if the soil is acidic, the water will turn red,
• if neutral, then the water will turn green,
• if alkaline, then blue.

How brighter color, the more pronounced the level of acidity.

You can also find out if the soil is limed with the help of ordinary 3% vinegar:

• pour and level a little earth in a saucer;
• pour some vinegar on top.

See if there is foam. This will immediately give you the answer:

• there is no foam at all - the soil is acidic;
• if not appeared a large number of bubbles - the soil is neutral;
• abundant foam means the soil is very alkaline.

In general, the presence of foam indicates that there is lime in the soil. The more bubbles, the more alkaline the soil.

Why is acidic soil dangerous?

There are more acidic soils in our country than alkaline ones, especially in middle lane. Alas, although some plants feel good on them, acidic soils are dangerous for most, because the water, carbon, protein and nitrogen balance of the soil is disturbed, which entails many problems.

• When snow melts, moisture is poorly absorbed, and a crust quickly forms on the surface, which prevents the penetration of not only water, but also air into the soil (that is, the earth “does not breathe”), as a result of which some of the plants unadapted to these features die, and the rest grow. weak and give a very small yield.
• Lack of many micro and macro elements, needed by plants(e.g. nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus). Firstly, they are less in acidic soil than in neutral or alkaline, and secondly, even with abundant fertilization, these elements are quickly converted into a form that is poorly absorbed by plants.
• Elevated levels of iron, copper and zinc lead to inhibition of plant growth, and on saline soils can dramatically increase soil toxicity. Transparent watery spots appear on the lower leaves and the leaves soon fall off.
• Beneficial bacteria that improve the structure and cleanse soils with lower acidity do not survive here, but pathogenic microflora develops actively, so many acidic soils are often “sick”, infecting plants.
• The presence of toxic substances that are not washed out and neutralized in acidic soil in a natural way inhibits the development of the root system and entails plant diseases. So, in acidic soils, heavy metals quickly accumulate, which then penetrate into the plant tissue. A number of elements that are in principle useful for plants (aluminum, iron, manganese) form toxic compounds in acidic soils and harm plants.

How to reduce the acidity of the soil?

There are many ways to deoxidize (reduce the acidity level) of the soil.

1. The most common (although not the most effective) way to deoxidize the soil is liming. To do this, you can apply to the soil:

• lime (crushed - the finer the grinding, the faster the effect);
• hydrated (slaked) lime (fluff);
• lime marl;
• dolomite flour;
• dolomite marl;
• drywall (lime from the bottom of dry lakes).

When introducing lime or fluff into the soil, remember:

• Do not listen to advice about the need to lime annually - this process can be carried out no more than once every 4–5 years (or better, once every 7–9 years). All calcareous substances contain very caustic and even toxic calcium compounds. Therefore, overliming is worse for your plants than any acidic soil!
• Lime additives must be very evenly mixed into the soil. Otherwise, the soil can become "striped" - layers of alkaline earth will be replaced by layers of acidic, which will harm the plants. Therefore, even after watering liquid fertilizers, not to mention "sprinkling" the soil with lime, ash or other additives, the soil should be carefully dug up, breaking and mixing any lumps.
• Don't expect quick results. Soil deoxidation occurs only 3–4 months after lime is applied (therefore, it is better to lay it in autumn or early spring).

Attention!
- It is impossible to lime carbonate soils! They already have lime in them, so you can kill all the plants.
- Do not add manure to the soil at the same time as liming! It is better to apply them in different seasons (for example, one in the fall, the other in the spring).
- It is not necessary to lime the soil intended for tender plants (flowers, garden greenery, etc.). Even when laying a garden, the soil is limed 2-3 years before planting.

2. Much more useful is the introduction into the soil wood ash.

First, unlike lime, it can be added to the soil along with any organic fertilizer, including manure.

Secondly, in addition to the direct effect - deoxidation - ash saturates the earth with useful elements, that is, it serves as an additional fertilizer and improves the quality of the soil.

Sometimes ash from burning peat is used. Contributing peat ash, we must remember that it is poor in useful elements, so it needs 4-5 times more than wood ash.

3. Calcium preparations are another way to deoxidize the soil. It is not as good as the previous one, but it is more convenient and safer than liming. Such means include, first of all, crushed a piece of chalk.

4. Special complex preparations for soil deoxidation can be purchased at many gardening stores. Most of them are much better than lime, because they contain many useful elements. However, when buying them, you need to know what substances the soils in your area lack. Choose the ones that best suit your goals. For example, if you are going to add them to increase yields, make sure that they contain cobalt, and for a flower garden or growing plants for seeds, it is desirable to increase the concentration of zinc in the soil.

5. siderates. Perhaps this is the most The best way deoxidation - unless, of course, you have time to significantly improve the quality of the soil on the site. One of the best green manure- lupine - grows well on acidic soils. Let it grow, and in the fall carefully dig it into the ground along with roots, stems, leaves and flowers. If the soil is not too acidic (pH greater than 5), then one season will suffice. If the initial acidity was high (pH less than 5), then a noticeable decrease in acidity may take 2–3 years.

Why is alkaline soil dangerous?

Alkaline soil can also be dangerous for a number of plants.

• In alkaline soil, the content of a number of useful elements is reduced (for example, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, zinc).
• Seedlings in alkaline soil develop very poorly - the roots are weak, the leaves are small and light, and in bushy plants there are few branches and they are poorly developed.
• Plants unadapted to alkaline soils lose their ability to form chlorophyll, as a result, the leaves at the edges dry out, quickly turn yellow and fall off.
• If dropped off good seedlings in alkaline soil, then new leaves become smaller, and white spots appear on already formed ones.
• The root system quickly withers and dies.
• Seeds are poorly formed or do not ripen.
• On alkaline soils with a pH greater than 8.5, it inhibits or prevents the development of beneficial microflora, which is bad for the health of both the soil itself and the plants.

How to increase the acidity of the soil?

If the soil in your area is alkaline, and you plan to grow not only asters, hawthorn or ash, then you should acidify (increase the acidity) of the soil. This is much easier to do than to reduce acidity. Here are some ways.

1. The introduction of peat into the soil. Peat itself is acidic, so it softens alkaline soil and brings it closer to neutral. To do this, it is better to use high-moor peat.

• Peat does an excellent job of increasing the acidity of the soil, but this takes time - from 4 weeks to 3 months.
• Peat improves the structure of the soil, increases its ability to breathe, makes it looser and better absorbs moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to apply it even in acidic soils (clay and heavy loams). Well, sandy and saline soils after the introduction of peat retain moisture and useful elements much better.
• Peat contains almost no useful elements, so it is impossible to replace fertilizers with it.

2. Applying compost or manure- these are excellent fertilizers and acidifiers at the same time. Manure is much more biologically active, so it needs 3 times less than compost. organic fertilizers allow you to acidify the soil very slowly and smoothly, so if you don’t want to wait too long, then apply them already in the fall, carefully digging the soil to a depth of at least 20 cm.

3. Application of acid complex fertilizers- their choice in stores is quite wide (sulfates, superphosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, etc.). Choose fertilizers that will solve several problems at once in addition to soil acidification.

Attention! Many people add wood ash to the soil, regardless of the acidity of the soil. However, even on slightly alkaline soils (pH 7.5–8.0), ash must be applied very carefully. This is a wonderful fertilizer, but it can increase the alkalinity. Therefore, it should be added 3-5 times less than on neutral or slightly acidic soils, and where the alkaline reaction shows more than 8.9 pH, it is better to refrain from introducing wood (and even peat) ash into the soil.

4. The introduction of needles into the soil- when digging, instead of mulch, needles are added to the soil, shavings from coniferous trees or even bedding from a coniferous forest. This is not only an excellent acidifier, but also a good fertilizer.

5. Introduction of urea granules in sulfur. Urea is one of the fastest acidifiers - the effect can be observed in a couple of weeks. Sulfur acidifies the soil much longer - within 4-6 months. Urea in a sulfur shell allows for a soft and smooth decrease in the level of alkali in the soil. However, urea is also included in many other complex fertilizers, so try to get just those, just look at the instructions - your site does not need excess acid either.

One of the terms successful cultivation plants is the right soil. It is on this that in most cases the quality and quantity of the crop depends, because plants from the earth get nutrients needed for growth and development. However, in addition to soil qualities such as fertility or soil composition, one can often hear the definition of "soil acidity". What is it? Let's take a closer look in the article.

Soil acidity - what is it?

The soil contains a large amount different substances, including various minerals, humic acids and organic matter, moisture and other compounds that affect soil quality, fertility, and acidity.

That is, the acidity of the soil is the amount of acids present in it organic and inorganic type and other substances that exhibit acidic properties. The unit of this indicator is pH, that is, the hydrogen indicator, because the content of hydrogen ions is proportional to the amount of acids in the medium.

It is customary to display the hydrogen indicator on a scale that has values ​​​​from 1 to 14 units. Accordingly, the higher the pH value, the lower the content of hydrogen ions. In soil with a neutral pH, these values ​​are usually 6-7. In soil with weak acidity - 5, and in acidic - 4-5. Alkaline soil will have a level of 9-10 units. Soil acidity is influenced by many different factors, for example:

How acidity affects plants

For most plants, it is very important to grow in soil with normal acidity. It is she who affects the biochemical processes in plant organisms. If the soil is too acidic, the number of aluminum ions becomes higher, and this prevents the roots of plants from taking potassium, calcium and magnesium from the ground. In addition, these ions are poisonous. Roots in such an environment begin to grow worse and poorly absorb moisture.

A highly alkaline environment prevents the access of substances such as phosphorus, boron and zinc, which are also important elements for normal plant growth.

When the acidity of the soil is disturbed, it becomes immediately noticeable. Plants start to wither decorative properties are lost, the quality and quantity of the crop is reduced. It is very important that the soil has a normal level of acidity.

How to find out the acidity of the soil

So, before planting plants in the garden, it is better to check the pH level in the soil first. However, not everyone can afford to use the services of the laboratory. So how do you check acidity? You can do it yourself using several methods:

• litmus paper or indicator strips;
• a device for measuring acidity;
• folk method.

The simplest way is use litmus strips. In addition, this method is quite accurate. Special kits are sold in stores and consist of 50 or 100 strips, which are impregnated with different reagents displayed on a color scale.

To determine the pH in this way, it is necessary to take several samples of it on the site. Better to have samples different places and from different depths. Then each sample is placed in a separate container, and it must be filled with distilled or boiled water as follows: take 1 part of soil and 4 parts of water. The resulting mixture must be stirred.

Then you should wait until the earth settles, and the test strip is lowered into the water according to the instructions. After about a minute, the result should appear, which must be compared with the color scale. Typically, a range from red to yellow indicates acidic soil, from greenish yellow to blue - alkaline.

Recently, devices for determining acidity, which are called pH meters, have become very widespread. Using them, you can quickly and easily, and most importantly, accurately measure the pH in the soil without doing complex manipulations. There are quite a few of these devices, but the main ones can be divided into two groups:

• acidity meter - apparatus, in which a special probe is built in, which should only be lowered into the ground, and the pH indicator will be displayed on its tap;
• universal type of device - the process of measuring the acidity of the substrate is similar to the method used when using litmus paper. That is, you first need to prepare the solution.

When measuring soil acidity, it is also worth taking a sample from different parts of the garden.

There are also folk methods for measuring acidity, which are very diverse.

How to determine the acidity of the soil at home

At home, you can check the acidity of the soil not only with a special device or litmus strips, but also with the help of folk methods that can help when there are no other items at hand that can help. To determine the acidity, products that are present in the house of every housewife may be suitable. These include:

Plants that play the role of indicators

The soil environment can also be recognized by the plants growing on the site. They can serve as indicators, but should be shown Special attention and observation. Different vegetation prefers certain conditions. For example, if horsetail, buttercups appear on the site, this may indicate acidic soil. Also, on acidic and slightly acidic soil, plantain, meadow cornflower and Ivan da Marya grow well.

On soil with neutral acidity, burdock, coltsfoot and clover feel good.

But alkaline soil is preferred by wheatgrass, field bindweed and alfalfa. In order to determine the soil environment in this way, great observation must be exercised.

However, there may be exceptions to this rule, and this technique is not entirely accurate. But, it should be noted that if the planted plant began to wither and lose its decorative properties, this indicates, first of all, that the acidity of the soil should be checked.

How can you change the pH level

It should be noted that if the site has unsuitable soil for certain plants, it can be adjusted. For example, increase or decrease the level of acidity. This level is reduced mainly with the help of liming - the simplest and most affordable way. It uses chalk, dolomite flour or slaked lime. In addition to normalizing the pH level, this procedure enriches the soil with calcium and magnesium, which has a beneficial effect on the further growth and development of plants.

The liming procedure is carried out in autumn or spring. The proportions of substances are calculated based on entry level acidity. Lime is much more active in neutralizing the acidic environment of the earth, so it will be required less than other substances.

Introducing right amount neutralizer, the soil is dug up, and a few days after that you can check. If the pH level has been lowered slightly, wood ash can be added to the soil, which will give the plants the necessary substances and trace elements.

Sometimes it can Need to increase acidity earth. It may be necessary for landing coniferous species trees or plants of the heather type.

Needles, peat or humus or ammonium nitrate are mainly used to raise the pH level. Watering with a weak solution of citric or oxalic acid can help to make the soil more acidic for a while.

However, despite all the measures to increase or decrease the pH level, over time, acidity returns to normal, so these procedures will have to be repeated from time to time.

Acidity- this is one of the most important indicators of soil properties, it is expressed by the pH value (from 0 to 14).

It is the level of acidity that determines the rate of decomposition of mineral and organic substances in the soil, and hence the saturation of plants with useful elements.

Most horticultural crops grow well in soil with a pH level close to neutral.

Earth with high acidity has a high concentration of trace elements, which destroys beneficial microorganisms and does not allow the plant to be provided with the necessary substances.

Alkaline soil, in other words, soil with low acidity (pH 7.5 - 10 and above), contains a large amount of calcium salts, which makes it unnecessarily hard and dense.

To get a quality crop, you need to monitor the pH level in your garden. How to determine the level of soil acidity folk ways and with the help of a chemical reaction, how to increase and decrease the acidity of the soil, what pH level is suitable for a particular vegetable crop and will be discussed in our article.

What is soil acidity and its types in accordance with the pH level

Any soil contains hydrogen and aluminum ions, but in different proportions.

It is this ratio that influences soil acidity level. In a neutral medium, hydrogen and aluminum ions are contained in equal parts. The predominance of hydrogen ions indicates an acidic environment and vice versa.

This ratio is called actual acidity, value pH determines the activity of hydrogen ions in a special soil solution.

There is another type of soil acidity - potential. Analysis can only be carried out in specialized laboratories.

Potential acidity reflects the possibility of acidification or alkalization of soils in subsequent years.

By level exchange acidity experts determine the potential acidity of the soil for the next growing season. Such an analysis is carried out in the fall, in order to find out what acidity the soil will have next year.

Hydrolytic acidity can show us what kind of environment (acidic or alkaline) water acquires when interacting with soil.

This is a very important indicator, because the roots of the plant do not absorb distilled water, but the soil solution. In addition, the dose of lime application is determined by the value of hydrolytic acidity.

These studies are carried out by agronomists and scientists in order to find out how fertile the soil can be and how the level of acidity affects the yield.

Important! On the suburban area you can only analyze the actual acidity, in other words, find out what acidity the soil has at the moment.

Acidity levels classified in the following way:

• Very strongly acidic - pH>4
• Strong acid - 4.1-4.5
• Medium acid - 4.6-5.0
• Weak acid - 5.1-6.0
• Neutral - 6.1-7.4
• Slightly alkaline - 7.5-8.5
• Strongly alkaline - 8.6-10
• Strongly alkaline - pH

Permissible rate for horticultural crops - 4.5-7.4 .

Soil acidity for major vegetable crops, flowers and trees

By creating comfortable conditions for the growth of horticultural crops, first of all, it is worth considering precisely soil pH value.

This indicator affects the health of the plant to a greater extent than other factors (lighting, temperature).

pH standards for vegetable crops:

• Potato - 5-5.5
• Tomatoes - 6-6.7
• Cucumbers - 7
• Pepper - 6-7
• Onion - 6-7.4

pH standards for fruits and berries:

• Blueberry - 3.5-4.5
• Grape - 5-7
• Apple tree - 5.5-6.5
• Currant - 6-6.5
• gooseberry - 6-7.4
• Cherry - 7
• Strawberry - 5-6
• Raspberries - 4.5-7
• honeysuckle - 6-8.5

pH standards for ornamental plants:

• Roses - 6-6.5
• Thuja - 6-7.5
• Petunia - 6-7.5
• Rhododendron - 4-5.5
• Balsam - 6-6.5

Determination of acidity using indicator plants

Most cultural and wild plants prefer neutral soils. But among them are those that prefer acidic or alkaline soils.

They are called indicator plants. If you carefully study what types of plants grow on your site, you can determine the acidity of the soil without special devices.

Low pH prefer the following plants:

• Pusher
• small sorrel
• Large, medium and lanceolate plantains
• Phytonym
• Zyabra
• meadow mint
• Sivets
• buttercup creeping
• Nivyanik

Weeds preferring slightly acidic environment (pH 5.1 - 6.0):

• Three-ribbed perforated
• double leaf
• field bindweed
• Bodiak garden
• Creeping and meadow clover

Alkaline and neutral soils inhabit:

• Smolevka white
• Mary white
• Larkspur
• field mustard
• Alfalfa
• sowing vetch
• Polevitsa
• Bonfire awnless
• meadow bluegrass

Determination of soil acidity with folk remedies

There are several ways to measure pH without instruments and indicators:

• a piece of chalk, being an alkaline compound, reacts with an acid, as a result of which carbon dioxide is formed. In a bottle, we mix chalk, soil from the garden and water in equal parts, put a balloon on the neck of the bottle and carefully shake the mixture in the bottle. If the balloon gradually inflates, then the soil is acidic.

• brewed leaves black currant are an excellent natural indicator. The decoction should be done like this: one teaspoon crushed leaves for 250 g boiling water. If you place soil in a decoction of blackcurrant leaves, after a while the water will change color. If the decoction turns red, then the soil has a low pH level. Blue color indicates an average level of acidity, and green indicates a high level

Determination of soil acidity using litmus paper

Litmus paper- the most common way to measure the level of acidity.

It is sold at a chemical supply store and is stripe of yellow, complete with which there is a scale with multi-colored divisions.

To use a litmus test, you need to take 3-4 copies of the soil from your garden and add some distilled water.

The indicator must be impregnated with the resulting solution, then attached to the scale and evaluate the result.

Its scale displays the following results:

• Red color - acidity less than 5
• The paper remained orange - 5.1-5.5
• Litmus showed yellow - 5.6-6
• Green shade - 6.1-7.1
• Bright green - 7.1-8.5

In different parts of the garden, the soil may have different level pH, you should visually divide the entire soil into several parts.

This can help you weeds. If weeds of the same type grow on the site, then soil samples are taken from four places in parts of the world.

If indicator plants stand out on the site from different groups according to the type of acidity, then soil samples must be taken from the places where these plants grow.

Meters for determining soil acidity

If more accurate indicators are required, special devices will come to the rescue, such as pH meter (pH-meter, pH-tester).

Modern models show not only acidity, but also humidity, temperature, and percentage of soil illumination. pH meter happens several types:

• Portable- Measures soil and liquid parameters, battery operated, easy to use, no larger than the palm of your hand
• Stationary- is established in a certain place for constant control of acidity of the soil. Such a device allows you to compare data after applying certain fertilizers.
• Waterproof- designed to measure the characteristics of various liquids, including aquarium water

The most popular portable models for home use are pH meters next manufacturers:

• Ecounit ZD05(average price 2700 rubles)
• Kecheng KC 300(average price 3000 rubles)
• ZD Instrument ZD05(average price 3800 rubles)

You can buy meters in specialized retail chains and online stores.

How an electronic meter works

The electrode located in the device creates a voltage and fixes the degree of hydrogen activity. This parameter is translated into acidity level and displayed on the screen.

For elimination errors in the measurement, it is necessary to carry out periodic calibration - the return of the measurement accuracy to the original value.

To do this, you need to purchase a special buffer solution for electronic meters, allowing to eliminate errors. When buying, you should consult with the seller.

How to reduce soil acidity

There are several effective ways to raising the pH level:

1. For soil liming can be used slaked lime, dolomite flour, drywall (lake lime). Mode of application: 100 gr one of these substances is diluted 1 liter of water. Next, watering of acidified areas is carried out. Application rates depend on the degree of soil acidity: on strongly acidic soils, more abundant watering should be carried out. To achieve the desired result, through 2-3 days soil pH measurements should be repeated
2. Calcium fertilizer- you can use crushed chalk, peat or wood ash. Enough to make fertilizer 1 st. chalk spoons or ashes on 1 liter of water. Fertilizing the soil with calcium is carried out according to the same principle as liming.
3. Top dressing with complex fertilizers. Complex fertilizers- These are ready-made mixtures, which include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. To reduce the acidity of the soil, the following fertilizers are well suited: diammophos, potassium nitrate, nitrophoska, carboammophos. Top dressing can be carried out in the spring and autumn season. How to use is indicated on the package
4. Cultivation of green manure ( green fertilizers) - this type of plant includes rye, vetch, oats, phacelia, legumes, lupins. The peculiarity of green manure is that they contain a high concentration of minerals, sugars, nitrogen, starch and proteins. As soon as green manures begin flowering, they are plowed or buried in the soil. This will enrich the soil minerals and help fight acidity.

How to increase the acidity of the soil

Much less often, gardeners are faced with high level pH in your area. However, this problem also needs to be addressed. To reduce the level of alkali use:

1. organic fertilizers- such as, for example, manure or coniferous opal. These substances begin to act as they decompose and have a long-term effect. But don't expect quick results from the natural fertilization process.
2. aluminum sulfate- It is used to quickly reduce the level of alkali. On the 1 sq.m. soil is needed 550 gr. fertilizers. This amount is enough to increase the acidity for 1 unit
3. sublimated sulfur- it acts a little slower than aluminum sulfate, but it also consumes less. To get the same result, you need about 90 gr. sulfur per 1 sq m
4. urea coated with sulfur- due to the combination of these substances, soil oxidation occurs during 1-2 weeks. For 1 sq. m. soil will be required 110-150 g urea, depending on the composition of the fertilizer. Application rates are also written in the instructions.

How to determine the acidity of the soil yourself, you can see in this video.

Suitable soil is almost 90% of success in growing any plant, because it is from the soil that representatives of the flora get all the necessary nutrients. In addition to the requirements for fertility and mechanical composition of the soil, in the descriptions of grasses, trees or shrubs, the phrase “soil acidity” is often found, which raises many questions. What is it and how to determine the acidity of the soil - we will consider in this article.

The soil is a complex system of many components, it contains humic acids and other organics, particles rocks very different composition, microelements, moisture and even gaseous compounds. The structure, fertility, and acidity of the soil depend on the content of various components.

Soil acidity is, in fact, the amount of organic and inorganic acids in it, as well as other substances that exhibit acidic properties. It is measured in units of pH (hydrogen index), because the concentration of hydrogen ions is proportional to the amount of acids in the medium.

The pH scale has values ​​from 1 to 14, and the larger the number, the less hydrogen ions are contained in the medium. So, neutral soil has a value in the range of 6-7, slightly acidic - 5, and slightly alkaline - about 8. The acid soil environment indicator will be about 4-5, and alkaline 9-10.

Soil acidity depends on:

• From the balance between hydrogen ions and calcium, magnesium and sodium ions, which are formed during the destruction of inorganic soil particles and determine its alkaline reaction.
• From the activity of microorganisms that process organic matter in the soil.
• From climate and rainfall. Rains and melted snow wash alkaline ions out of the soil, thereby increasing its acidity.
• From the "correct" use of the soil - with excessive application of fertilizers, herbicides and other substances, the acidity of the soil may change.

What does soil acidity affect?

Soil acidity affects the biochemical processes in plant organisms. With increased acidity in the soil, the number of aluminum ions increases, which interfere with the absorption of potassium, calcium and magnesium by the roots and are poisonous. The roots themselves grow poorly in such an environment and absorb water worse.

In a strongly alkaline environment, the access of phosphorus, boron and zinc is impaired.

Any violations of ion exchange affect the health of the plant, the decorative properties or the quality of the crop fall, so it is important that the acidity of the soil is normal.

Methods for measuring acidity

Not everyone has the opportunity to use the services of the laboratory, and this process takes a lot of time. It is much easier to measure the acidity of the soil yourself, using improvised means.

Indicator paper (litmus strips)

Test strips are one of the simplest, but at the same time, quite accurate ways to determine acidity.

The pH test kit consists of 50 or 100 strips impregnated with a mixture of various reagents and a color comparison chart (sometimes there are also numbers). It can be ordered online or found in laboratory or medical supply stores, as well as aquarium stores.

For the most complete picture of the soil reaction on the site, several soil samples should be taken from different places and from different depths (for example, from the surface and depth of the “shovel bayonet”). Then each sample is placed in a separate container and filled with distilled or simply boiled water (the volume of water is about 4 times more than a piece of soil) and mixed.

After the soil particles have settled to the bottom, the test strip is immersed in water for a few seconds. Next, you should wait about a minute and compare the color of the strip with the scale. The range from red to yellow is acidic, from greenish yellow to blue is alkaline.

Your own well in a private house is wonderful. No need to depend on plumbing, and the water itself seems especially clean ...

The device for determining the acidity of the soil

Recently, household pH meters have become common, and with their help you can very accurately measure the acidity of the soil. From the whole variety, two types can be distinguished:

• Soil acidity meter - a device with a special probe-electrode, which is enough to lower into the substrate, and it will give the pH value.
• Another type of device is "universal". In order to measure the pH of the soil, it is necessary, as in the case of litmus paper, to prepare a soil solution.

Measurements are also carried out at different points of the site.

"Folk" methods and improvised means

If there are no indicators or a device at hand, then how to determine the acidity of the soil? The approximate reaction of the environment can be found out using the tools available in almost every home:

• Vinegar and soda. A mushy mixture of acidic soil with water, when soda is added, begins to hiss and bubble. The same thing happens with alkaline soil when vinegar is added.
• Acidity can be determined using cherry or currant leaves. Several leaves are poured with a small amount of boiling water and infused for 15 minutes. A sample of earth is placed in this solution. If the soil is acidic, then the infusion turns red, neutral soil will turn greenish, and blue - slightly alkaline.

Soda Red currant

• A good natural indicator is red cabbage, this is due to the presence of an anthocyanin pigment in its cells, which changes color when certain values pH. Cabbage leaves are crushed and poured with boiling water or boiled in water for several minutes - a decoction is obtained. purple. After the solution cools down, a piece of soil is added. A change in color to pink indicates an acidic soil reaction, and a blue or greenish color gives an alkaline soil.
• Fresh blueberries and cherries, beets and Hibiscus tea behave in the same way.

red cabbage
Blueberries

• acidic soils can be determined by white bloom in depth, as well as the rusty tint of water in places where it accumulates.

indicator plants

Different representatives of the flora have their own requirements for soil acidity, therefore, by the presence of certain weeds, one can judge the soil reaction:

• • If horsetail, buttercups or marigold are visible on the site, then the soil is acidic.

Horsetail
Buttercups
kaluzhnitsa

• • With acidic and slightly acidic soil, plantain, Ivan da Marya, and meadow cornflower grow well.

Plantain
Ivan da Marya
Cornflower meadow

• • Neutral soils are preferred by coltsfoot, clover and burdock.

Mother and stepmother
Clover
Burdock

• • Alkaline soils are a favorite place for couch grass, field bindweed and alfalfa.

wheatgrass
field bindweed
Alfalfa

This method requires only the presence of observation, but is not absolutely accurate, because there are exceptions everywhere.

If any "cultural" representative of the flora begins to wither, lose its decorative effect or grow poorly, this is a signal that the soil should be checked. BUT appearance some plants can clearly suggest a problem, for example, at low soil pH, beet leaves turn red.

Spring is the time for the awakening of plants, their start to the new season. For this start to be successful, and our "green friends" ...

How to change soil pH

Often, the soil on the site does not allow growing the desired crops, because the requirements, including acidity, are different for plants. But the pH of the soil can be adjusted and made more suitable for the right representatives of the flora.

Decreased acidity

Soil liming - known way reducing the acidity of the soil. In addition, in this way the content of calcium and magnesium increases, and they are necessary for the successful development of most plants. For these purposes, use slaked lime, chalk or dolomite flour.

Liming is done in autumn or spring. Based on the initial acidity, the necessary portions of substances are calculated. It should be remembered here that lime neutralizes acids much more actively than dolomite flour, and, accordingly, it will be required less. For sandy substrates, it is better to use dolomite flour, and lime is more suitable for heavy loams.

The required amount of neutralizer is brought into the ground and carefully dug up. You can check the pH again after a few days.

If it is required to reduce acidity very slightly, then wood ash can be added to the soil. It also contains trace elements necessary for plants.

horse peat
Lemon acid

In this case, needles, high-moor peat or humus are introduced into the soil; sulfate or ammonium nitrate can be used to a limited extent. Temporarily helps to lower the pH by watering with a weak solution of oxalic acid or citric acid. But it is better not to use electrolyte from batteries - soil microorganisms suffer from strong acids, and the ingress of heavy metals into the soil is ensured.

Despite such measures, over time, the acidity of the soil returns to its original values. Therefore, periodically check the pH and re-apply acidifiers.