Soil pH value: refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Most plants have difficulty growing at pH>9 or<2.5. But different plants have different suitable pH values. When the soil pH value exceeds the appropriate range, crops may experience growth inhibition and delayed development.

Soil EC value: refers to soil electrical conductivity, which is an indicator for measuring soil water-soluble salts. Soil water-soluble salts are an important indicator of mineral nutrients that can be quickly utilized by plants in the surface soil, and are a factor in determining whether salt ions in the soil limit crop growth. Excessive or insufficient soil EC values can hinder crop growth. Different plants have varying soil EC values depending on their fertilizer requirements and growth stages, typically ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 ms/cm.

When the EC and pH values of the soil are not suitable for plant growth, we need to regulate them reasonably to ensure the normal growth of plants.

The following are discussed in four categories:

Scenario 1: Soil with high pH and EC values:

Soil with a pH value of 7 or above and an EC value of 1.5 (ms/cm) or above has excessive nutrient accumulation, resulting in lush green crops, easy flowering and fruit loss of fruits and vegetables, poor growth, and non extension of roots. This is often caused by excessive use of fertilizers.

Solution: Depending on the severity of the situation, avoid or reduce the use of organic fertilizers, and use weakly acidic soil mixtures or soil amendments

Reduce EC value and pH value to enhance the plant's ability to fix and adsorb nutrients, and remove salt through flood irrigation.

Scenario 2: Soil with low pH value and high EC value:

Refers to soil with a pH below 5.5 and an EC value above 1.5 (ms/cm). Manifested as crops being dark green, underdeveloped, and the root system not extending. It is mostly caused by excessive nitrate or phosphate in the soil or excessive nitrogen fertilizer application, resulting in high soil nitrogen content.

Solution: Use soil mixtures or soil amendments with a pH value of neutral or above, and remove salt through flooding.

Scenario 3: Soil with high pH value and low EC value:

Soil with a pH value above 7 and an EC value below 0.4 is often characterized by high salt content and low nitrogen fertilizer. Manifested as yellowing of crops and poor development. Due to the alkaline nature of the soil, it can limit the absorption and utilization of various elements by crops, which can easily lead to trace element deficiencies.

Solution: Use acidic soil or organic fertilizers for improvement, such as enzymes, farm compost, soybean cake fertilizer, etc.

Scenario 4: Soil with low pH and EC values:

Refers to soil with a pH value below 5.5 and an EC value below 0.4, where the overall fertilizer composition is insufficient and the crop leaves are light green and yellow, but this soil type is rare.