Abstracts Law

Comparison of the pH requirements of certain lawn grasses and weeds : together with a study of the related physiological differences.

by William Harold. Minshall

Early agriculturists discovered the difference between acid and alkaline soils by means of the trial and error method. They also knew that the addition of lime to an acid soil corrected the acid condition. It was not, however, until science with its nutrient culture experiments secured a foothold that the problems of acid and alkaline soils were put on a firm basis; and as a result, suitable explanations for many of the difficulties were presented. According to Wherry (58) the first paper dealing with the relationship of soil reaction and plant distribution appeared in 1916. It is very interesting to follow the relative importance that has been given to soil acidity as a factor influencing plant distribution and growth since that time. [...]