Soil Test 4: pH

Purpose: To determine soil acidity or alkalinity, which affects nutrient availability and plant growth.

Material needs: Hellige pH indicator liquid, pH color scale, spoon

Time estimated: 5 minutes

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Place a small amount of soil of the top 10 cm into the round depression of the measuring plate (or saucer).
2. Cover the soil with the color indicator and mix thoroughly.
3. Wait for about 2 minutes.
4. Slightly tilt the plate so that the liquid flows into the channel / along the outer edge of the saucer.
5. Compare the color of the liquid with the printed color scale.
6. Record the corresponding pH value.

Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHKBRuYgiok (enable auto-translation)

Form

• Final soil pH value: _______

Figure 1 pH color scale

1. References

Pronova Analysentechnik GmbH & Co. KG. (n.d.). Hellige pH meter: Simple soil testing kit. Retrieved from Hellige pH meter | pH Measuring Systems | Agricultural Measuring | Products | Pronova