What do sandy soils with a pH measurement of 10 indicate?

What do sandy soils with a pH measurement of 10 indicate?

• A. Neutral soil
• B. Acidity
• C. Alkalinity
• D. Salinity

Answer: (C)

A soil pH shows whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. The scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; values above 7 indicate alkalinity. A measurement of 10 is strongly alkaline. In sandy soils, this high pH reduces the availability of many essential nutrients (iron, manganese, phosphorus, etc.) because they become less soluble, which can lead to deficiencies even if nutrients are present. Salinity is a separate issue tied to salt concentration, not pH, so a pH of 10 doesn’t indicate salinity. So, the soil is alkalinic. If needed for plant health, you’d manage to lower the pH or choose plants that tolerate high pH.

A soil pH shows whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. The scale runs from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; values above 7 indicate alkalinity. A measurement of 10 is strongly alkaline. In sandy soils, this high pH reduces the availability of many essential nutrients (iron, manganese, phosphorus, etc.) because they become less soluble, which can lead to deficiencies even if nutrients are present. Salinity is a separate issue tied to salt concentration, not pH, so a pH of 10 doesn’t indicate salinity. So, the soil is alkalinic. If needed for plant health, you’d manage to lower the pH or choose plants that tolerate high pH.