When discussing crop nutrition, the focus is often on soil nutrient levels. However, many processes and interactions occur in the soil solution, which is a dynamic mixture of water, dissolved nutrients, minerals and organic compounds present in the soil’s pore spaces.
The soil solution plays a crucial role in delivering nutrients to plant roots, supporting biochemical processes and facilitating the uptake of essential elements. Key factors affecting the soil solution include:
SOIL PH
The soil pH influences nutrient availability and mineral solubility. Outside the optimal range, certain nutrients become less soluble while others may become toxic. Acidic soils reduce the availability of nutrients like phosphorus, calcium and magnesium while increasing the solubility of toxic metals like aluminium and manganese. Alkaline soils limit the availability of essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese.
SOIL TEXTURE
This story is from the September 06, 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the September 06, 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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