Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as (1) soil bacteria, (2) nutrient leaching, (3) nutrient availability, (4) toxic elements and (5) soil structure. Bacterial activity that releases nitrogen from organic matter and certain fertilizers is particularly affected by soil pH, because bacteria operate best in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. Plant nutrients leach out of soils with a pH below 5.0 much more rapidly than from soils with values between 5.0 and 7.5. Plant nutrients are generally most available to plants in the pH range 5.5 to 6.5. For most plants, the optimum pH range is from 5.5 to 7.0.
Therefore, the correct answer is option D.
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A fertile soil is likely to have a pH value of
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Q2
A fertile soil, suitable for growing common crops is likely to have a pH value of _____________.