Bulk Density and pH Relationships on Sandy Soils in Three Florida Fields

Abstract

Bulk density is an important physical property of soils as it impacts the airflow, water retention, and structure of a soil. pH is a chemical property that affects the availability of nutrients in the soil. Both properties directly affect crop health and production and are often measured as indicators of soil health and crop suitability. Previous studies on this relationship between bulk density and pH focus on silty soils, and there is limited information on relationships between pH and physical soil properties on the sandier type of soils that are prevalent in Florida. This study aimed to investigate potential relationships between bulk density and pH in sandy soils by sampling the soils of three different crop production systems in north-central Florida: a silage corn field in Citra, peanut field in Chiefland, and turfgrass plot in Gainesville. Each of the sites were treated with pH-altering treatments, including ammonium nitrate, gypsum, and lime. While the soils in the turfgrass plot showed no observable relationship between bulk density and pH, the soils in the silage corn and peanut fields did show a slight relationship. In the peanut and silage corn fields, each plot was sampled both within the crop rows and between crop rows. In these fields, samples taken in the root area showed significant differences in pH (p < 0.001) and bulk density (p < 0.01) from the area between rows. Understanding relationships in the soil environment is important to maximize crop health and production, therefore further research is needed in this area.