Effect of ph or nutrient availability, Biology

Assignment Help:

Effect of pH or Nutrient Availability

One of the greatest influence of pH on plant growth is through its effect on the nutrient availability. When base saturation is less than 100 per cent, an increase in pH is associated with an increase in the amount of calcium and magnesium in the soil solution, because calcium and magnesium are usually the dominant exchangeable bases. Many studies have shown that plant growth is promoted with increase in percentage of calcium in plants, which in turn is governed by the increasing pH or percentage base saturation. The general relationship between pH and availability of calcium and magnesium and other nutrients is shown in figure below.

1727_realation to soli ph.jpg

Availability of molybdenum increases at higher pH (see figure above). At low pH, molybdenum forms insoluble compounds with iron and is rendered unavailable. Under these conditions, plants like cauliflower, clover and citrus will suffer from molybdenum deficiency but will show better perfonnance when soil pH is increased. Potassium availability is usually good in alkaline soils that reflect the limiting leaching and removal of exchangeable potassium. The availability or solubility of some plant nutrients decreases at higher pH. Iron and manganese which are generally deficient in calcareous soils are two good examples. Phosphorus and boron also tend to be unavairable in acid soils. On the other hand copper and zinc have reduced availabiliry in both highly acidic and alkaline soils. The overall nutrient availability is good at close to pH 6.5.

Another aspeq of soil chemistry not indicated in the figure above is that at extremes of pH, the balance among nutrients becomes unfavourable, and certain nutrients become excessively soluble as to be toxic. For example, at low pH Al, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu are excessively released to become toxic. The H and OH ions themselves are directly injurious below pH 4 or above 9.

 


Related Discussions:- Effect of ph or nutrient availability

What are the applications of pcr, Polymerase chain reaction already has ext...

Polymerase chain reaction already has extremely widespread applications and new uses are being devised on a regular basis. Some and definitely not all of the applications are given

Explain the treatment of travelers diarrhea, Treatment of travelers'diarrhe...

Treatment of travelers'diarrhea  The most common cause of travelers' diarrhea, usually a self-limited illness lasting several days, is infection with noninvasive enterotoxigeni

Explain the oligosaccharides (dp: 3-9) - carbohydrates, Explain the Oligosa...

Explain the Oligosaccharides (DP: 3-9) - carbohydrates? Oligosaccharides consists of short chains of monosaccharide units joined by covalent bonds. The glycosidic bond may be α

Which aqueous solution has the lowest ph, The aqueous solution with the low...

The aqueous solution with the lowest pH is: Select one: a. 0.01 M HCl. b. 0.1 M acetic acid (pKa = 4.86). c. 0.1 M formic acid (pKa = 3.75). d. 0.1 M HCl. e. 10 t

Explain the minimum requirement of nutritional needs, Explain the Minimum R...

Explain the Minimum Requirement of nutritional needs? Minimum nutrient requirement is defined as the 'lowest amount of the nutrient ji-om the diet that will prevent clinically

Iceberg phenomenon in relation to diabetes, Q. Iceberg phenomenon in relati...

Q. Iceberg phenomenon in relation to diabetes? Diabetes Mellitus cases are diagnosed by a doctor or a health worker by taking history, blood test for sugar level. But the undia

Cilia and flagella – protozoans, Cilia and Flagella – Protozoans Cilia...

Cilia and Flagella – Protozoans Cilia and flagella basically have a similar structure and distinction between the two on structural basis does not exist. There is a filament o

Core vent implant, With the development of electron microscopy, it was poss...

With the development of electron microscopy, it was possible to have an in depth knowledge of the interface between the implant and the tissues. Branemark was the pioneer in the fi

Why are euglenas involved in polemics, Q. Why are euglenas involved in pole...

Q. Why are euglenas involved in polemics related to their taxonomic classification? Euglenas are involved in taxonomic polemics because they tend to be classified sometimes as

Explain the transportation of vitamin a, Explain the Transportation of Vita...

Explain the Transportation of Vitamin A? The chylomicra and retinal-binding protein play an important role in the transport of retiuol. This chylomicra complex enters the lymp

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd