Selecting land and raising a few crops in our kitchen garden does not mean the crop will give us the desired yield. Hence it is essential for managing the different aspects of the soil to enhance crop growth and increase the final yield. The important aspects are discussed briefly here.

1. Soil pH and EC monitoring and adjustment

Soil pH (Potential of Hydrogen) and EC (Electrical Conductivity) are the soil chemical reactions that basically can be read as soil acidity and salinity respectively. One can test the soil pH and EC at nearby soil testing laboratories by submitting nominal charges.

The most favourable pH for all most all the garden crops is slightly acidic i.e., 5.5-6.5. Essential plant nutrient elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium are unavailable to plants in acidic soil. Plants readily can’t absorb micronutrients like copper, zinc, boron, manganese and iron in basic soils; however, their presence in the soil can also be excessive and become toxic to plants.

To correct the very low acidity (pH 3.0-5.0) of soil it is recommended to go for the application of Lime, Lime stone etc. The best time to apply lime is just after a rain or spring or fall so that the lime does not wash away. Lime and fertilizer can be applied at the same time but it is better to apply lime three weeks prior to fertilizer applications.

Sulfur-based materials like Gypsum must be used to decrease the soil pH (from basic to slightly acidic). Acidic fertilizers like ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, sulphur-coated urea, elemental sulphur etc., can also be used to manage the alkaline soil. Ammonium sulphate is very strong and can be corrosive to plants (burn the leaves), hence must be used very carefully. Organic materials like sphagnum moss/ peat moss, well decomposed FYM (Farm Yard Manure), compost, leaf mould, pine leaf needle etc., can also help to make the soil acidic.

The ideal range of EC for most crops is between 1.5 and 2.5 dS/m. A higher EC could prevent the plant from absorbing nutrients due to an increase (more negative) in osmotic pressure, and EC levels that are too low could adversely impact yield. To correct the higher level of EC, you should irrigate the field heavily with RO (Reverse Osmosis) water, which helps to leach out the salts. It is better to use acidic fertilizers in soils with more EC. The use of well-decomposed FYM (Farm Yard Manure) could be helpful in controlling both the EC and pH of the soil to some extent.