4 CAUSES OF ACIDIC SOIL
soil PH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline soil is. the more hydrogen ions in the soil the more acidic it is. the more hydroxyl ion in the soil the more alkaline it is. Soil is a naturally occurring substance forming the thin uppermost layer of the earth's surface made by the accumulation of the weathered materials on which plants and animals live. Acidic soil can be defined as those having PH less than 5.5 in 1:1 water extract. soil acidity affect many biological and chemical reaction The following are factors which may cause the soil to become acidic: Parent materials. Rocks like granite and rhyolite are acidic rocks and on disintegration and decomposition of these rocks results in the accumulation of acid soil materials. Organic matters. The carboxylic, enolic, and phenolic materials present in organic matter debris, dissociate releasing hydrogen ions thus contributing towards soil acidity. Climate . In heavy rainfall areas, the continuous leaching process re...