What happens to nutrients in soil that has a very high or very low pH?

In soils with extremely high or low pH levels, the availability and uptake of essential nutrients by plants can be significantly impacted. At very high (alkaline) or very low (acidic) pH levels, certain nutrients may become either deficient or toxic due to changes in their solubility and chemical forms.

For instance, in acidic soils, nutrients like calcium and magnesium may become less available, while elements such as aluminum can reach toxic levels, potentially harming plant roots and affecting overall growth. Conversely, in alkaline soils, nutrients such as iron and manganese can become insoluble, leading to deficiencies in the plants that rely on these elements for critical functions.

This imbalance often leads to a scenario where plants either cannot access the necessary nutrients for growth or may suffer from toxicity due to excess availability of certain elements. Thus, the phenomenon of deficiency or toxicity is a direct result of extreme pH levels affecting nutrient dynamics in the soil.