Alkaline soil correction, high pH causes, gypsum, elemental sulphur, organic matter.
Why is my soil pH too high (alkaline) and how to lower it?
GGovind Sharma1yr ago · 332 views
4 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓1yr ago
High soil pH (alkalinity) is common in low-rainfall and sodic soils where carbonates and sodium build up; above pH 8.5 nutrient availability of zinc, iron, and phosphorus drops sharply. To lower it on sodic soils apply gypsum at the lab-recommended gypsum requirement, then irrigate and drain to flush sodium. On non-sodic high-pH soils, elemental sulphur or organic amendments like FYM, compost, and green manure gradually acidify and improve the soil. Use acid-forming fertilisers like ammonium sulphate where suitable. Correction is slow and takes 2 to 3 seasons, so re-test soil yearly. Always base the gypsum or sulphur dose on a soil test, not guesswork.
PPrabhakar Joshi1yr ago
In my alkaline plot the bigger visible problem was iron deficiency, with new leaves turning pale yellow between the veins. Lowering pH slowly with sulphur and FYM helped, and a chelated iron foliar spray kept the crop going meanwhile.
RRukmini Bai11mo ago
Don't expect a quick drop. Soil pH is buffered and moves slowly, so chasing it with heavy chemical doses is a waste. Steady organic matter every season is what actually shifted mine over a few years.
SSelvaraj Pillai10mo ago
One diagnostic point: get the lab to report whether it is high pH alone or high pH with high ESP (sodicity), because plain high pH and a true sodic soil are treated differently. Gypsum mainly helps the sodic case. Confirm with your soil testing lab or KVK before buying anything and do not over-apply.