Soil Acidity Impacts Plant Growth and Yield, Affects 90% of India's Land

Strategic Insights -

New research highlights the significant impact of soil acidity on plant growth and yield in India, with approximately 90% of the country's land affected. The study, conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), focuses on the North-Eastern Region of India, where 54% of acidic soils are concentrated. The research finds that Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) can mitigate Aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency, but distinct variations in AMF communities were observed between undisturbed and cultivated sites in both regions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Soil acidity affects approximately 90% of India's land, with 54% of acidic soils concentrated in the North-Eastern Region.
  • Aluminium (Al) toxicity and phosphorus (P) deficiency coexist under acidic conditions, limiting agricultural productivity.
  • Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) form symbiotic associations with plants, enhancing phosphorus uptake and mitigating Al toxicity.
  • Distinct variations in AMF communities were observed between undisturbed and cultivated sites in both regions.
  • The most diverse AMF community was found in cultivated sites in Mizoram, with a Shannon index of 2.17 and a Simpson index of 0.84.
  • Soil parameters such as pH, EC, Al, and Cu significantly influenced AMF community composition.
  • The research provides crucial ecological insights into AMF communities in acidic soils, guiding the development of targeted, AMF-based biofertilizers for sustainable crop production.

Statistics:

  • 90% of India's land is affected by soil acidity.
  • 54% of acidic soils are concentrated in the North-Eastern Region of India.
  • 26 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified in soil, with 6 identified in roots.
  • The most diverse AMF community was found in cultivated sites in Mizoram, with a Shannon index of 2.17 and a Simpson index of 0.84.
  • Soil pH, EC, Al, and Cu significantly influenced AMF community composition.

Sources:

  • Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in phosphorus-deficient acidic soils of Northeast India: implications for sustainable agriculture. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2025;41(8):303.
  • VerticalNews. "Researchers at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) Discuss Findings in Sustainable Food and Agriculture (Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in phosphorus-deficient ...)." Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 29, 2025; p 522.