The research progresses in soil acidification and its control in recent three decades were summarized in this paper. The review paper mainly involved in soil natural acidification and the accelerations of acid deposition, ammonium-based fertilizers, plant growth and land use on soil acidification; negative effects of soil acidification on soil fertility, nutrient recycling and soil organisms; prediction and control of soil acidification; amelioration of acidified soils. The contents presented in this article can provide the important references for amelioration, utilization and management of the acidified red soils in southern China.