It is possible to reduce soil acidity by adopting various techniques and methods. All that for acidity correction. Methods used include the following:
1. Use of lime: Lime is an essential ingredient for reducing soil acidity because excessive use of chemical fertilizers can cause soil acidity. Lime application reduces soil acidity by decreasing H⁺ content and increasing OH⁻ content. If the soil acidity is high due to the use of ammonium sulfate or similar fertilizers, lime application can help reduce the intensity of acidity.
Lime application is one of the best ways to amend acidic soil, scientifically proven to be effective. Lime products useful in soil include calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), calcium oxide (CaO), and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂. When lime is applied to soil, calcium addition replaces hydrogen addition, gradually decreasing soil acidity (pH).
2. Using organic fertilizers: Using organic fertilizers increases the buffer capacity of the soil, meaning application of organic matter to buffered soil does not rapidly alter soil acidity or alkalinity. Organic fertilizers are also rich in calcium and magnesium, which lower acidity levels by removing them from the soil solution.
3. Using green manure: Green manure is a beneficial organic fertilizer. To make it, bean-like plants are grown on the land, then cultivated in a raw state and mixed with the soil. In acidic soils, green manure plants such as barbati, vaikta, and shanpat are cultivated before flowering, mixed with soil, and irrigated. These organic fertilizers reduce soil acidity by increasing the alkalinity of the soil.
4. Bacterial inoculation: Rhizobium bacteria form nodules in the roots of pulses like beans, cowpeas, mas, and mungkali. These bacteria capture free nitrogen from the air and transform it into forms usable by plants. Scientists have developed microbial fertilizers using Rhizobium microorganisms, which when applied to sterile soil, reduce soil acidity by releasing various organic acids and dissolve insoluble phosphate in the soil, enhancing phosphorus nutrition and uptake by plants.
5. Use of Balanced Fertilizers: Instead of applying basic fertilizers in an unbalanced manner, using balanced fertilizers by combining different types helps reduce the risk of increasing acidity.
6. Improving the quality of irrigation water: Mineral salts such as iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) in irrigation water can increase soil acidity. Therefore, before applying irrigation water, its quality should be checked, and water free of Fe and Al should be used whenever possible.
7. Reducing the use of acidic fertilizers: Decreasing the use of fertilizers that contribute to soil acidity and opting for alternative fertilizers helps reduce soil acidity. For example, discontinuing the use of ammonium sulfate fertilizers and switching to sodium nitrate fertilizers.
8. Application of wood ash: Applying wood ash to soil significantly reduces acidity. Wood ash contains enough calcium carbonate to neutralize soil acidity.