Plant Nutrient Availability in Acid Soil and Management Strategies

One of the main obstacles to agricultural productivity is acidity in the soil, which deteriorates soil health. Globally, 30–40% of the total arable land and more than 70% of the potential arable land are affected by soil acidity. It results from a complex interplay of natural and anthropogenic causes. The natural process includes leaching losses of basic cations, weathering of rocks and minerals, hydrolysis of aluminium, and oxidation of organic matter. In contrast, anthropogenic processes include excessive use of ammonium-based fertilizers and the release of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen due to increased consumption of fossil fuels. The intensity of acidity varies across spatial (locations or regions) and temporal scales. Variation in soil acidity is associated with different factors, including but not limited to soil type, climate, vegetation, and land and crop management practices. In addition to degrading soil fertility, acidity can have significant socio-economic implications, including reduced crop yields because of reduced availability of plant nutrients and toxicity of aluminium, manganese, etc. As soil acidity has multifaceted effects on nutrient availability, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability, its management is critical to minimize its impact on soil, ecosystem health, and food security. However, liming is one of the effective management practices for correcting soil acidity. Various crop management techniques exist, such as crop rotation, organic matter management, fertilizer management, and the selection of acid-tolerant crop varieties. These practices could be adopted to manage soil acidity and improve crop productivity, leading to sustainable and profitable agricultural systems.