Do you think that the pH of soil is influenced by agricultural ...

[tfester]

Do you think that the pH of soil is influenced by agricultural practices such as
  tilling and the application of agricultural chemicals? Explain your answer.

 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Think about all that you have learned about soils. Do you think soil pH is
  connected to the kinds of plants growing in a field or forest?

 
  What will be an ideal response?

[k2629]

Answer to Question 1

Applications of chemicals to the soil can affect soil pH. Because most of the chemicals
used in agriculture tend to be water-soluble, the effects of these chemicals tend to be
short-term. The application of large amounts of organic mulch can have a more longlasting
(several months to a year or more depending on climate and soil type) effect on soil pH because it takes longer for the mulch to decompose completely. Tillage
practices can have an effect on soil pH. If the roots of crops remain in the soil, a
larger amount of organic matter is added to the soil each season. If the remnants of
the previous season's crops are incorporated into the soil, the pH of the topsoil can
be altered. If the field is not properly plowed and the topsoil is lost, the soil pH will
tend to decrease. Your students should think about the kinds of crops planted in
their area (are the plants naturally acidic?), the local soil type, and temperature and
rainfall patterns in their area when preparing their answer

Answer to Question 2

The type of plants growing in an area can have a large impact on soil pH. Some
plants, such as needle-bearing trees, magnolias, rhododendrons, and azaleas tend to
grow in acidic soils. The litter produced by these plants is also acidic, and areas with
large stands of these plants tend to have acidic topsoil. Soil pH is also a function of
the type of rock that produced the soil. Soils in areas with granite bedrock tend to be
more acidic than soils in limestone areas

[tfester]

Thanks

[k2629]

Welcome