The PH battle

[Weedhound]

Yup. Sodium bicarbonate.
It's a weak base, not a strong base, and does not include the desirable -OH group, so you have to use a lot to get the same effect, plus it has a buffering range of its own. The active group in baking soda is a carbonate ion, CO3, the same as in lime, but lime contains Calcium as the positive ion, rather than Sodium, which at more than trace levels is detrimental to plant health.
You're safer with lime, but FAR better off with KOH.

so PHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!