Plant nutrition, growth, and even survival depend on the chemical conditions of the soil. Nutrient-rich soils can also be infertile at times. The sole reason for this is the chemical reaction within the soil. Plants can thrive if the soil’s reaction favors their nutrition and growth. However, if the reaction is unfavorable, plant nutrition and growth become impossible. This action-reaction process within the soil occurs in a natural order.
Soil reaction primarily refers to its acidity or alkalinity. Various chemical elements exist in ionic form in the soil solution. Some ions exhibit acidic properties, while others show alkaline reactions. The activation of hydrogen ions is responsible for the acidity of the soil solution, while the activation of hydroxyl ions causes an alkaline reaction. When the concentrations of hydrogen and hydroxyl ions are equal, the soil exhibits a neutral reaction.