Difference Between Alkaline & Acid

Soil pH affects plant growth by changing nutrient availability.

In gardening, the terms alkaline and acid refer to the soil pH, also known as soil reaction, according to University of Illinois Extension. This is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with most soils falling between 3.5 and 9.0.

pH Scale

A soil pH of 7.0 is considered neutral, with lower pH levels acid and higher ones alkaline, according to Iowa State University Extension. Each one-digit step up the pH scale indicates an acidity ten times that of the previous number.

Importance

The amount of minerals and nutrients absorbed by plants from the soil changes according to the soil pH. Most plants grow well in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Nutrients

Alkaline soils often lack iron, manganese and zinc, according to University of Florida Extension. Acidic soils are deficient in magnesium, potassium and calcium, often providing toxic levels of elements such as aluminum.

Tags: according University