THE IMPORTANCE OF PH CONTROL IN CROPS

Following the thread of our last publication related to sensorisation in agricultura, today we want to talk about the importance of pH control in crops. The pH is a very important indicator and a decisive factor that makes the nutrients necessary for the correct development of the crop available to the plant.

The acidity of the soil will determine the chemical reactions and solubility of the nutrients, so that they can be absorbed by the roots without problems. An inadequate pH range directly affects the capacity of the root system, as extreme pH values can lead to precipitation of certain nutrients, making them unavailable.

Acidity is measured on a scale of pH values ranging from 0 to 14, with pH between 5.5 and 6.5 being the optimum range established for the highest availability of nutrients for most crops (with exceptions).

Alkaline soils (with a range above 7) cause fertiliser precipitates and clogging of the drippers, while acid soils (with a range below 5) damage the roots and prevent them from absorbing the necessary nutrients. When preparing the irrigation solution, make sure that the pH is in the range between 5.5 and 6.5 to ensure that all nutrients are available to the plant. See table with acidity ranges and their relation to nutrient uptake.

The pH of the irrigation solution is essential for correct fertigation management. A system that doses fertilisers and acid in a stable way, without oscillations in pH and connectivity, will result in good crop development and an increase in the quality and quantity of production. Fertigation equipment allows control of pH and EC by precise application of fertiliser and acid. This equipment has a pH probe that allows the irrigation solution (water + fertiliser + acid) to penétrate inside, making the measurement accurate.