What Causes pH Imbalance in Plants?

Effect on Plants

• Plants need 17 nutrients to grow and thrive, including magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and molybdenum. Plant roots are not able to absorb soil nutrients when the pH level is insufficient. The proper nutrients may be present in the soil, but plants are unable to utilize them effectively. Plants in imbalanced soil grow poorly and produce less nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Nitrogen Fertilizer

• Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer produces acid in soil. Ammonium in fertilizer binds to the soil and is converted to nitrate, releasing hydrogen ions which acidify the soil. Soils with pH levels below 6 have a high degree of acidity, which makes plant growth difficult. Soil between 6 and 7 pH has the optimum level to use nutrients for growth. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer, continually added to soil, creates progressively increased acidity.

Increased Problems Over Time

• Soil acidity problems increase slowly over time with the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Imbalanced pH acidity occurs faster in sandy soils than finely textured soils. Excessive acidity also causes disruptions in the soil's microorganism population. Reduced microorganisms result in decreased crop yield and lower nutrient levels in food crops.

Microorganisms

• An imbalance in pH acid levels damages the microorganism population in soil. A teaspoon of healthy soil has over 4 billion microorganisms. Plant nutrients are created by soil microorganisms. Soil with balanced pH levels contributes to the nutrient content of plants that, in turn, supports a healthy microorganism population. Overly acidic soil hinders the activity of beneficial soil microorganisms in their job of creating nutrients from soil's organic matter.