Stabilising soil pH: an essential condition for sustainable crop performance
In modern agriculture, faced with climate emergency and pressure on yields, preserving the natural balance of soils is becoming a strategic priority. Adding fertiliser is not enough: pH stability in the root zone is a decisive factor for productivity, plant health and the agronomic longevity of plots.
An unbalanced pH, whether too acidic or too alkaline, compromises the bioavailability of essential nutrients, alters microbial activity and makes crops more vulnerable to various stresses (climatic, pathogenic or water-related). This acidification is often amplified by the intensive use of ammonium-based nitrogen fertilisers.
The invisible impacts of soil acidification
The progressive acidification of the soil has several negative consequences:
- The soil structure deteriorates, weakening its balance;
- Certain essential nutrients become less accessible to plants because their ionic form is altered;
- Calcium, a key element, is replaced by ions such as ammonium (NH₄⁺) or potassium (K⁺), throwing the soil composition out of balance;
- The formation of acids during chemical reactions (particularly nitrification) accentuates the drop in pH.
Beyond chemical fertility, an unstable pH also influences the electrochemical environment of the soil. Although redox potential (link to June article) and pH are two distinct parameters, they interact: an overly acidic pH can alter oxidation-reduction reactions, indirectly influencing nutrient dynamics. TIMAC AGRO explores this complementarity to refine our overall understanding of soil vitality, without confusing the two.
Agronomic solutions to stabilise pH
At TIMAC AGRO, we take an integrated approach to fertility, in line with our vision of “Farming Inspired by Nature”. Our solutions are designed to restore and maintain optimal pH in the rhizosphere by acting directly on the causes of acidification. In particular, they:
- Improve soil structure stability,
- Rapidly and sustainably increase pH through specific formulations,
- Reactivate beneficial microbial life,
- Facilitate better nutrient availability.
This targeted action on soil pH helps to strengthen crop resilience, improve their nutrition and reduce environmental losses.
A sustainable vision, driven by innovation
TIMAC AGRO’s commitments to research, innovation and responsible development are part of a broader ambition: to support agricultural transitions by providing effective, sustainable and accessible solutions. Stabilising soil pH is not only an agronomic necessity: it is a key condition for preserving soil fertility and ensuring productive agriculture in the long term.
