Nutrient availability and soil pH

Some generalizations can be made regarding the availability of nutrients to plants in relation to soil pH. Deficiencies of zinc, manganese, and iron are more common on alkalines soils while deficiencies of molybdenum, calcium, and magnesium occur more commonly on acid soils. For other nutrients such as potassium and sulfur, there is little association between soil pH and availability to plants. Toxicities of aluminum and manganesse occur almost exclusively on acid soils.

Effects of other nutrients on nutrient uptake

There are many effects of one nutrient upon the uptake of another nutrient (see table). As well as these interactions, any conditiont that decreases root growth (e.g. aluminum toxicity, calcium deficiency, boron deficiency, and toxicity of hydrogen ions per se) will decrease nutrient uptake.

Table. Effect of other nutrients and liming on uptake and transport of nutrients.