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Better Water, Better Profits:A Holistic Guide to pH Management
Feed Your Soil - Love Your Crops
Water quality is an often overlooked yet critical factor in sustainable agriculture. For agronomists, sustainability consultants, commercial growers, and irrigation managers, managing irrigation water pH and alkalinity is key to unlocking soil fertility and crop performance.
In many arid and irrigated regions, groundwater and surface water tend to be highly alkaline (high pH) due to dissolved carbonates and bicarbonates. Left unaddressed, high-pH irrigation water can lead to nutrient deficiencies, soil structure problems, and reduced efficacy of sustainable farming practices.
Water pH Challenges in Arid and Irrigated Regions
In regions where evaporation exceeds precipitation – for example, much of the U.S. West and other semi-arid farming zones – alkaline irrigation water is a common hurdle. Water in these areas often contains high levels of bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) from geological limestone (calcite) sources, which drives the pH upward.
Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) Interpretation Tiers
If your irrigation water pH is above about 7.4, it's likely loaded with bicarbonates. Rather than a single threshold, bicarbonate impact follows a tiered pattern:
< 120 ppm
Typically manageable; monitor and confirm target pH stability at point of use.
120–150 ppm
Commonly where downstream issues begin depending on hardness, target pH, and injection/turbulence quality.
> 150 ppm
Usually merits a mitigation plan; confirm with full water report and operating constraints.
Important: Final recommendation requires a full water report (pH, alkalinity/bicarbonate, hardness, sodium) and system constraints.
Problems Caused by High Bicarbonates:
Scale and Clogging
- • Lime scale builds up in pipes and on foliage
- • Plugged irrigation equipment
- • Uneven water distribution
- • Wasted water and energy
Soil Structural Decline
- • Calcium and magnesium precipitation
- • Soil aggregate breakdown
- • Surface crusting and compaction
- • Reduced water infiltration
Nutrient Availability and Plant Health: Why pH Matters
"Soil pH fundamentally governs which nutrients are available to plants. Most crops thrive in a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH (roughly 6.0 to 7.0) because that is the sweet spot where essential nutrients stay soluble and accessible."
A 2019 study from the University of Florida found that high soil pH reduced crop uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Zn by reducing their solubility in soil water. When pH is high, a plant can literally be starving for nutrients in the midst of plenty.
Iron Chlorosis: A Common Symptom
One common symptom of high-pH, high-bicarbonate conditions is iron chlorosis – yellowing of young leaves due to iron deficiency – even when total iron in the soil is high. This happens because bicarbonate elevates pH and interferes with iron metabolism in the plant.
✅ Research in citrus groves showed that adjusting irrigation water pH into the mildly acidic range boosted leaf nutrient levels and yield per tree as soil pH dropped to about 6.0.
High pH Problems (>7.5)
- • Iron, zinc, manganese deficiencies
- • Reduced phosphorus availability
- • Poor nitrogen and potassium uptake
- • Hidden hunger symptoms
Optimal pH Benefits (6.0-7.0)
- • Maximum nutrient availability
- • Improved fertilizer efficiency
- • Better crop performance
- • Reduced input costs
The Soil Biology Connection: pH, Microbes, and Nutrient Cycling
A healthy soil isn't just minerals and nutrients – it's a living ecosystem teeming with microbes that drive nutrient cycling, build soil structure, and protect plants. Soil biology and pH are deeply interconnected.
Research Findings
A large-scale study in China found soil pH to be more influential than soil nutrient levels in shaping which bacteria were present and how diverse the community was. Extreme pH conditions tend to reduce microbial diversity and can suppress beneficial microbes that crops rely on.
"Beneficial soil microbes play a critical role in the acquisition and transfer of soil nutrients into plants." - Natallia Gulbis, Soil Microbiology Expert
Key Microbial Functions:
Regenerative Strategies for Managing Alkaline Water and Soil
Achieving sustainable water quality in agriculture isn't just about one tool or one input – it's about an integrated approach that combines pH management, soil amendments, and good farming practices.
1. Test and Monitor
You can't manage what you don't measure. Water analysis should include pH, alkalinity (bicarbonate/carbonate levels), electrical conductivity (salinity), and SAR (sodium hazard).
🔬 Bicarbonate > 150 ppm typically merits a mitigation plan; see tiered guidance for full context
2. Apply Organic Matter and Soil Amendments
Building soil organic matter helps buffer pH imbalances. Incorporating composts, cover crop residues, and other organic materials releases organic acids that can buffer soil pH and chelate nutrients.
- • Gypsum (calcium sulfate) for sodium displacement
- • Elemental sulfur for gradual pH reduction
- • Compost and organic matter for buffering
3. Integrate pH Management into Fertigation
Some fertilizers can help neutralize alkalinity while providing nutrients. Ammonium-based fertilizers have an acidifying effect on soil over time as ammonium converts to nitrate.
Solutions for Correcting Alkaline Irrigation Water
The most direct way to counteract high-pH, high-alkalinity water is to neutralize the excess bicarbonate with an acid. When acid is added to water, it supplies hydrogen ions (H⁺) that react with bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) to form carbon dioxide and water.
Mineral Acids
Sulfuric, nitric, and phosphoric acids are very effective but extremely hazardous to handle.
Organic Acids
Citric and acetic acids are safer but require higher volumes and costs.
Carbon Dioxide Injection
CO₂ creates carbonic acid in water - safe but requires specialized equipment.
⭐ Sulfur Burners (Recommended)
Burns elemental sulfur to create sulfurous acid - effective, safe, and sustainable.
Sulfur Burners: A Sustainable Solution for Alkaline Water
Integrating a sulfur burner into an irrigation system can be a game-changer for farms facing alkalinity issues. Unlike a one-time chemical addition, a sulfur burner provides an ongoing, controlled means of treating water.
Effective Bicarbonate Neutralization
Sulfurous acid produced by these burners reacts readily with bicarbonates in water and soil. University research in Utah noted that sulfur burners have the potential to improve irrigation water quality, reclaim sodic soils, and improve soil infiltration and drainage in calcareous soil regions.
📊 West Texas cotton study: 20% increase in lint yield with 19% reduction in soil salinity after one year of sulfur burner use
Synergy with Soil Biology
Sulfur is an essential plant nutrient and also feeds certain beneficial soil microbes. By maintaining a more neutral pH in the root zone, sulfur burner use creates a more hospitable environment for beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi to flourish.
- • Enhanced response to biofertilizers
- • Improved microbial inoculant effectiveness
- • Better nutrient cycling
- • Reduced fertilizer and pesticide needs
Organic and Regenerative Friendly
Elemental sulfur is mined or recovered from natural sources and is approved for use in organic farming. There are no petrochemical or industrial by-products being added – just sulfur, which the system converts to a mild acid.
Texas A&M AgriLife (Far West Texas Cotton): What They Reported
- One-season reported reduction in upper root-zone salinity
- Modest SAR changes varying by depth (distribution matters)
- ~20% cotton lint yield improvement relative to long-term average, plus fiber quality improvements
One season is informative, not conclusive—multi-year validation is still needed.
Research Spotlight: Organic Blueberries in Hermiston, Oregon
Sulfur burners are not just a theory. In an organic northern highbush blueberry trial in Hermiston, Oregon, researchers at Oregon State University:
- Established blueberries on sandy, calcareous soil with high-pH irrigation water
- Pre-acidified the soil with elemental sulfur before planting
- Irrigated through drip equipped with a sulfur burner and sand media filtration
- Used acidified irrigation as the backbone pH tool while they fine-tuned compost and soil health strategies around it
Their goal was to keep soil pH in the blueberry sweet spot while dealing with the same high-pH, high-bicarbonate conditions many commercial growers face.
We break down what this work means for real farms, in plain English, in our article:
Blueberries, High-pH Water, and OSU's Organic Trial in Hermiston: What Acidified Irrigation Really Buys You
Read the full article
Sources: Organic blueberry soil health research from Oregon State University in Hermiston, Oregon (Scientific Reports, OSU Extension, and eOrganic outreach). These resources are provided for context; CTC Waterworks is not speaking on behalf of Oregon State University.
Mechanism: Why Acidified Irrigation Can Matter in Calcareous Soils
Acidification lowers water pH and shifts carbonate equilibrium, which can influence how calcium behaves in calcareous (limestone-rich) soil contexts. This is not universal—it's chemistry that matters when soil type, drainage reality, irrigation scheduling, and field constraints align.
Improves availability/mobility of calcium in calcareous contexts where relevant, supporting better soil structure when other conditions are met.
Supports infiltration/permeability dynamics when sodicity is part of the issue and displacement of sodium is feasible.
Enables leaching of salts only when leaching and drainage are realistic—acidified water does not create drainage where none exists.
This is not universal; soil type, drainage, irrigation scheduling, and constraints determine outcomes.
In the right conditions, treated irrigation can support soil health goals by improving root-zone chemistry stability and enabling more effective salt management where leaching is realistic.
Ready to Evaluate Fit?
Send your water + soil profile and we'll tell you if treated irrigation is worth pursuing.
Minimum to start (keeps it simple):
If you have it, we can deliver a more personalized plan and tighter expectations:
Not everyone needs every test. More inputs simply mean fewer assumptions—and a tighter plan.
When and Where to Use Sulfur Burners
Not every farm will need a sulfur burner, but certain conditions and crop situations make them a highly worthwhile investment.
Arid Regions with High Bicarbonate Water
Classic case for sulfur burners - high alkalinity and pH above neutral.
- • California's Central Valley
- • West Texas
- • Arizona and Colorado
- • Australia's Murray-Darling Basin
Calcareous Soils and Perennial Crops
Critical for long-term tree and vine health.
- • Citrus orchards
- • Vineyards
- • Almond and stone fruits
- • Avocado groves
Field Crops with Salt/Sodicity Issues
Large-scale applications for soil reclamation.
- • Cotton fields
- • Alfalfa production
- • Corn and small grains
- • Sodic soil reclamation
High-Value Vegetables and Berries
Crops with low tolerance for alkaline conditions.
- • Blueberries (require pH 5.0-5.5)
- • Strawberries and raspberries
- • Greenhouse vegetables
- • Hydroponic systems
Crop-Specific pH Guides
Click any crop to learn how sulfur burners can optimize your soil pH and boost yields
Avocados
Beans
Beets
Blackberries
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Citrus
Corn
Cranberries
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Garlic
Leeks
Lettuce
Melons
Onions
Parsley
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers
Plums
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Radishes
Spinach
Squash
Strawberries
Sweet Potatoes
Turnips
Walnuts
Watermelons
Zucchini
Why pH Matters for Every Crop
Each crop has an optimal soil pH range where nutrients are most available. When irrigation water contains high bicarbonates, it gradually raises soil pH over time, potentially moving it outside your crop's preferred range. Our sulfur burners help maintain the ideal pH by neutralizing bicarbonates in your irrigation water.
Conclusion: The Path to Better Water, Better Profits
Managing water quality – especially pH and alkalinity – is an essential component of modern sustainable agriculture. By integrating pH management with soil-centered practices, growers can turn a liability (alkaline water) into an asset.
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