All Flashcards
What is the effect of smaller soil particles on water retention?
Smaller particles = higher water retention.
What is the effect of soil compaction on porosity?
High soil compaction = low porosity.
What is the effect of soil compaction on aeration?
High soil compaction = low aeration.
What is the effect of deforestation on soil water-holding capacity?
Deforestation reduces organic matter, thus reducing water retention.
What is the effect of excessive tilling on soil structure?
Excessive tilling breaks up soil structure and reduces water retention.
What is the effect of high water-holding capacity on plant growth?
High water-holding capacity retains water longer, making it available for plant roots.
What is the effect of low water-holding capacity on plant growth?
Low water-holding capacity may lead to water stress for plants, as water drains away quickly.
What is the effect of large particle size on soil porosity?
Larger particles result in larger pore spaces and high porosity.
What is the effect of large particle size on soil permeability?
Larger particles result in higher permeability.
What is the effect of soil pH on nutrient availability?
Soil pH impacts the availability of nutrients for plants.
How does particle size affect water retention?
Smaller particles = higher water retention.
How does organic matter affect water retention?
Organic matter increases water retention.
How does particle size affect porosity?
Larger particles = larger pores = higher porosity.
How does particle size affect permeability?
Larger particles = higher permeability.
What does high cation exchange capacity indicate?
Stable pH and nutrient levels in soil.
What does high soil compaction lead to?
Low porosity, low permeability, low aeration.
What role do fungi and bacteria play in soil?
Key roles in soil composition and nutrient cycles.
Explain the relationship between soil pH and plant growth.
Soil pH impacts what plants can grow.
Why is loam considered ideal for plant growth?
Loam has a balanced mix of particle sizes for optimal water retention, aeration, and drainage.
What is the importance of soil aeration for plants?
Good aeration allows soil to take in air, water, and nutrients, which are essential for plant growth.
What is water-holding capacity?
The amount of water soil can hold against gravity.
Define soil porosity.
How much pore space there is in soil.
Define soil permeability.
How easily water and nutrients move through soil.
What is soil fertility?
The soil's ability to support plant growth, depending on nutrients and organic matter.
Define cation exchange capacity.
The ability of soil particles to attract positively charged ions (cations).
What is soil aeration?
How well soil can take in air, water, and nutrients.
Define soil compaction.
How tightly packed soil particles are.
What is loam?
A balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay, optimal for water retention and plant growth.
Define soil pH.
How acidic or basic the soil is, impacting what plants can grow.
Define soil texture.
The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil.