Question

Long Answer Questions:
1 (a) How does the soil become too acidic in nature!
(b) What should be added in the soil when it is (1) too acidic and () too basic​

Answer 1

Explanation:

a) Soil becomes acidic due to continuous use of fertilizers due to accumulation of industrial effluents on land and also due to decomposition of organic wastes.We can decrease the acidic nature of soil by adding slaked lime

b) add limestone in the soil if it is too acidic because it is rich in either calcium or magnesium carbonate which neutralizes the soil.

If the soil is too basic , we should add organic minerals in it like manure to neutralize it .

Answer 2

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1. a) There are various reasons for the decrease in the pH of soil and increase in the acidic nature. Some of the few reasons are:

• Rainwater, Infact Acid rain when falls in the ground contains acids and ions like Sulphur acid, Nitric acid which is caused due to Air pollution.
• The Organic matter is decomposed by decomposers and they release carbon dioxide which dissolves in soil water, forming a weak carbonic acid.
• Also due to root respiration, Carbon dioxide is released and this also forms weak carbonic acid when dissolved in water.

b) The growth of the plants depends upon the pH of soil most of the times. Different species of plants grows in different pH and it is important for their healthy growth.

• When soil constains acids and ion, their pH decreases upto 2-3, So Ca(OH)2 or Calcium Hydroxide/Slaked lime is added to neutralise the acidic nature of soil.
• Also more pH like 9-10 is also harmful, since the soil become more basic. To neutralise the basic nature, we add some organic substances which have decomposers and they release Carbon dioxide. They form acid and neutralise the soil.

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