What is measured by a scale of 1-14 with 7 being neutral?

What is measured by a scale of 1-14 with 7 being neutral?

• A. Soil pH
• B. Soil moisture
• C. Soil salinity
• D. Soil texture

Answer: (A)

This scale measures soil pH, which expresses how acidic or basic (alkaline) the soil is. The midpoint of 7 is neutral; values below 7 indicate acidity and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. pH matters because it changes the form and availability of nutrients for plants. In acidic soils, some micronutrients like iron and manganese become more available, while others such as phosphorus can become less available; in alkaline soils, certain nutrients (including iron and manganese) become less available. To adjust pH, gardeners may add sulfur or organic matter to lower acidity or lime to raise it. The other properties—soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil texture—aren’t described by a 1-14 pH scale.

This scale measures soil pH, which expresses how acidic or basic (alkaline) the soil is. The midpoint of 7 is neutral; values below 7 indicate acidity and values above 7 indicate alkalinity. pH matters because it changes the form and availability of nutrients for plants. In acidic soils, some micronutrients like iron and manganese become more available, while others such as phosphorus can become less available; in alkaline soils, certain nutrients (including iron and manganese) become less available. To adjust pH, gardeners may add sulfur or organic matter to lower acidity or lime to raise it. The other properties—soil moisture, soil salinity, and soil texture—aren’t described by a 1-14 pH scale.