Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, I've a question here!

Q: Does the pH of any soil affect the nutrition of the crop growing in the soil?

Please take a moment to answer this question of mine!

Hi there
The answer to your question is definitely, yes!
For example, at lower pHs (more acidic) phosphorus tends to bind with Aluminum and Iron and become less soluble (and less available for uptake).

I found this info using a google keyword search with the terms "pH nutrient uptake soil" , then looked at following web page:
http://www.ipni.net/ipniweb/pnt.nsf/5a4 ... enDocument

There are many other useful web pages on this question: try the search yourself and see some of what you find

Hope this helps,
Ben

Hi Samhitha,

Are you planning a science fair project to study the effects of soil pH on nutrient content of specific plants? Is your question related to your project? The effects will depend on the kind of plant you test. Most fruit and vegetable plants grow best at a neutral soil pH of about 7, but there are some that like it more acid. These include tomatoes, cucumbers and squash which tolerate a pH range of 5.5-7.0. Spinach, lettuce and kale do better in soil that is closer to pH 7, so if you want to measure effects of soil pH on the nutritional value these would be good choices.

The type of soil (sand, loam or clay) and its fertility (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels as well as micronutrients) play a big part in plant growth too and this is reflected in the nutritional quality of the parts of the plant we eat.

Repost and tell us what you are planning to do so we can steer you into a good project.

Sybee

Thanks for answering! Yeah I wanted to study nutrition value of crops with varying pH but I've got other ideas also if you check out in the math n computer section in 9-12 grades. Pls see those also and help me finalise one really strong n effecti ve idea. And I'll be soon tell about other things I've been thinking of too. Thanks!

Hi Samhitha,

I posted replies to your queries in the Math & Computing forum. You are interested in some great areas of bioengineering and I really hope you pursue a career in science.

In thinking about your idea to assess the effects of soil pH on the nutrient value of crop plants, I thought you might include the possibility of genetic modification to overcome negative effects due to acid rain. I don't know if acid-resistance is one of the things being explored by plant geneticists, but you could check into it. You could try to identify certain genes that would confer acid resistance on lettuce, for example, so that it would be less affected by acid rain. This would require quite a bit of reading and searching the databases for the right genes and the sequence changes that would have to be engineered to make the plants acid-tolerant, but I think it would add a 21st century goal to your project.

As soon as you decide definitely on a project, let us know so we can help you plan it.

Good luck!

Sybee