Swedes, called rutabagas in America or turnips in the UK, are nutritious root vegetables prized for their taste and adaptability to various climates. Achieving the right soil pH is important for successful swede cultivation. In this article, we’ll explore the significance of soil pH for swede crops and methods for optimising pH levels in the soil.
Optimum Soil pH for Swedes
Soil pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the soil and plays a vital role in plant growth. Swedes thrive in neutral pH soil to slightly alkaline conditions, ideally a pH range of 7.0 to 7.5. Clubroot can be an issue in acidic soils.
Importance of Optimal Soil pH for Swedes
Maintaining the optimal soil pH is essential for swede health and productivity. Soil pH affects nutrient availability, microbial activity, and root development, all of which influence swede growth and yield potential.
Swedes may suffer from nutrient deficiencies or toxicities if soil pH deviates from the optimal range.
Clubroot
Clubroot is a disease that affects plants like cabbage, broccoli, and swedes. It makes their roots swell up like clubs, and this negatively affects the plant because it can’t get enough water or nutrients from the soil.
The disease spreads through soil, and it prefers soil that’s slightly acidic. Once it’s in the soil, it’s hard to get rid of.
To deal with clubroot, farmers can:
- Rotate crops, by not planting the same crop in the same field every year.
- Try to make the soil less acidic, by adding soil amendments.
- Plant the kinds of plants that aren’t as affected by clubroot, like peas, beans or potatoes.
Testing Soil pH
Before planting swedes, it’s important to assess soil pH using soil testing kits or laboratory analysis. This helps determine if the soil pH is suitable for swede cultivation and identifies any necessary adjustments, and allow time for the adjustments to work on the soil.
Adjusting Soil pH
To adjust soil pH:
- For acidic soil, consider incorporating lime or organic matter. Apply 500 to 2,000 pounds of lime per acre or 560 to 2,240 kilograms per hectare for each pH unit increase.
- For soils which are excessively alkaline, applying sulphur or sulphur-containing fertilisers such as Ammonium Sulphate can help. Apply 10 to 20 pounds of sulphur per acre or 11 to 22 kilograms per hectare for each pH unit decrease.
Maintaining Soil pH
Regular soil pH monitoring, organic matter incorporation, and cautious application of amendments help maintain optimal soil pH levels for swede cultivation. The adjustment of soil pH should never be a last-minute consideration.
Final Thoughts..
Optimising soil pH to 7.0 to 7.5 is beneficial for successful swede cultivation. By aiming to sow in slightly alkaline soil the grower is providing his swede crop with the ability to absorb the most nutrients and avoiding issues with clubroot.
