pH of Soil and Plant Nutrients

[tweedle2009]

But not all plants respond to ammonia.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Yes all plants respond to Ammonia. Nitrogenous fertilisers have nitrogen in two forms Ammonia and nitrate, ammonia is converted in to useable form by soil bacteria, and nitrate form is considered better for the plant. Agri fertiliser, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate has both forms. Urea is basically Ammonia while Nitro Phos and Pot. Nitrate have N in nitrate form.

[tweedle2009]

Thankyou for enlightining me Sir.

[Izhar]

I have checked the pH of some which are as follows, I took 5 readings each and this was the range:

1) My prepared bedding Soil = 6.5 - 7.2 (I took 11 samples)

2) Coco Coir = 5.1 - 6.0

3) Coco Chips = 6.8 - 7.1

4) Potting soil for Gardenia with added Ferrous Sulfate = 6.0 - 6.2

5) Tap water = 7.5 - 7.8

6) Distilled water (new) = 6.9 - 7.0

7) Distilled water (several months old) = 7.0 - 7.2

8) Ojhri ki khad (old and dry) = 7.2 - 8.0

9) Ojhri ki khad (fresh and moist) = 6.8 - 7.0

The pH meter was calibrated with pH 4, pH 7 & pH 10 buffers after each item's 5 readings.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Which PH meter are you useing and its availability?

[Izhar]

Sir, I used two pH meters... one is by "Hanna" pocket type and another is by "Oakton" bench-top type.. the pH meter by "Hanna" was bought by Mir Afzal sb. and the other one is at my university chemistry lab..

[M Farooq]

>Why plants respond so well to rainy water is not its PH.
>Lightening in clouds produces lot of AMMONIA Which is a ready to use food for plants.

Just wanted to add a two cents' comment: I lately learnt from a researcher that pH of rains in Karachi are slightly alkaline! This was rather new to me but "alkaline rain" does occur where there is lot of dust in air. People are generally used to the term "acid rains". Karachi is among the number one cities where particulate matter and dust in air is at the highest level.

On the other hand, lightening process combines nitrogen and oxygen and form nitrogen oxides, in which in turn with water forms nitric acid in water. This is an excellent nutrient for plants in low quantities. In a strict sense, ammonia is a toxic gas that requires nitrogen and hydrogen (which does not exist in the atmosphere). Ammonium ions are known to be present in rain water (to a very little extent) but the source is decomposing organic matter from Earth which goes into the atmosphere and the rain brings it back.

Regards.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Frooq, thank you for up dating my old concept.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

Can any one guide me as to where can I get PH measuring STRIPS?