Ideal Range

• Soil with a pH below 6.5 is acidic, and soil with a pH above 7.4 is alkaline. The range in between is considered neutral. Sugar cane grows best in slightly to moderately acidic soil, with an ideal pH range between 5.5 and 6.5.
  
  

Problems

• Sugar cane grown in soil that is too acidic or too alkaline can develop a variety of problems, usually related to a deficiency of iron, magnesium or some other nutrient.
  
  

Solutions

• Various methods can raise or lower the pH of soil. Liming, the process of incorporating ground limestone, can raise the pH, as can adding peat or sphagnum moss to the soil. To lower pH, try adding nitrogen fertilizer or elemental sulfur.