Salts and Soil pH are two of the great management problems we have with subtropical crops like avocado, citrus, passionfruit, coffee and even “evergreen” blueberries when grown in California. In the western Cascades there are also soils dominated by carbonates and waters by bicarbonates. These two forms of carbon and oxygen control soil pH when present as lime in our soils – old seashells as hunks or dispersed pieces. They are salts when in solution. These salts control the availability of micronutrients – iron, zinc, manganese and copper –, which when deficient can lead to plant growth and health issues.

A couple of Pacific Northwest Extension publications from Oregon State University • University of Idaho • Washington State University goes over the problems of pH, how it's measured, precautions that can be taken and finally how to correct the problem if necessary. Checkem out:

https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/em8857.pdf

ACIDIFYING SOIL FOR CROP PRODUCTION WEST OF THE CASCADE MOUNTAINS (WESTERN OREGON AND WASHINGTON)

https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/pnw599.pdf

Acidifying Soil for Crop Production

Correcting salinity issues is all in irrigation management and that's another story.  In fact irrigation management can exacerbate iron chlorosis.