Reply To: SOIL 3600 Question

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#4221
Mario Tenuta
Keymaster

Hello Meaghan.

Release of protons (H+) to soil from roots will decrease soil pH, especially very close to the root. So when plants take up predominantly NH4+ has a nitrogen source, the volume around roots is acidified.

When plants predominantly take up NO3-, they release hydroxyl (OH-) to soil. This increase the pH around roots.

Mario

Welcome to the Applied Soil Ecology Lab at the University of Manitoba