Soil Acidification: Processes, Effects on Soil and Plants, and Remediation Strategies

Abstract

Soil acidification is an adverse reduction in soil pH and is among the most common soil degradation types. It is primarily caused by the decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM), weathering of minerals, acidic parent material, acid rain impacted by industrial emissions, improper agricultural activities (mono-cropping), and use of acidic fertilizers. Studies show that soil acidification extensively affects its fertility through reducing nutrient availability, disturbing soil structure, shift in microbial community structure, impaired nutrient cycling, increased metal solubility, and subsequent soil and water pollution. Soil acidification also affects crop productivity as low soil pH cause crop roots damage, thereby reduced nutrients absorption which leads to lesser crop yields. Such adverse soil implications due to soil acidification are selectively needed to remedial measures for the management of soil acidification by applying, e.g., liming, acid tolerant crops, addition of SOM, biochar, and ash, crop rotation, and genetic modification of crops to tolerate acidic conditions. In this chapter, authors have comprehensively summarized the causes and processes in the development of acidification in soils, its effect on soil health and crop plants along with the remedial measures.