At high soil pH, phosphorus tends to bind with which element?

Prepare for the Rangeland Soil Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Ensure success in your test!

Multiple Choice

At high soil pH, phosphorus tends to bind with which element?

Explanation:
When soil pH is high, phosphorus tends to form insoluble compounds with calcium. In alkaline conditions, phosphate ions readily pair with Ca2+ to create calcium phosphate minerals, which have very low solubility, so the phosphorus becomes largely unavailable to plants. This contrasts with acidic soils, where phosphorus more readily binds to iron and aluminum oxides to form insoluble Fe/Al phosphates. So the calcium-phosphate pairing at high pH is the main reason phosphorus availability drops, making calcium the correct association.

When soil pH is high, phosphorus tends to form insoluble compounds with calcium. In alkaline conditions, phosphate ions readily pair with Ca2+ to create calcium phosphate minerals, which have very low solubility, so the phosphorus becomes largely unavailable to plants. This contrasts with acidic soils, where phosphorus more readily binds to iron and aluminum oxides to form insoluble Fe/Al phosphates. So the calcium-phosphate pairing at high pH is the main reason phosphorus availability drops, making calcium the correct association.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy