All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Identify the soil layer where roots primarily grow.
Answer: A Horizon. Zone of maximum biological activity and nutrient concentration.
Flashcard 2: Identify the process of water movement through soil.
Answer: Percolation. Gravity-driven downward flow through soil layers.
Flashcard 3: What is the pH range of acidic soil?
Answer: pH less than 7. High hydrogen ion concentration affects nutrient availability.
Flashcard 4: What is the effect of soil compaction on plant growth?
Answer: Reduces root penetration and water infiltration. Compressed particles decrease pore space for growth.
Flashcard 5: How does vegetation affect soil erosion?
Answer: Reduces erosion by stabilizing soil. Root systems bind particles and slow water runoff.
Flashcard 6: What is the soil texture triangle used for?
Answer: To classify soil texture based on particle size. Determines proportions of sand, silt, and clay in soil samples.
Flashcard 7: What role does organic matter play in soil?
Answer: Improves fertility and structure. Increases cation exchange capacity and water holding ability.
Flashcard 8: What are the three primary soil particles by size?
Answer: Sand, silt, and clay. Categorized by decreasing particle diameter from largest to smallest.
Flashcard 9: How does pH affect soil microbial activity?
Answer: Microbial activity is optimal near neutral pH. Extreme pH values reduce enzyme function and diversity.
Flashcard 10: What is the effect of high soil pH on nutrient availability?
Answer: Decreases availability of some nutrients. Iron and phosphorus become less soluble in basic conditions.
Flashcard 11: What is the effect of soil erosion on fertility?
Answer: Reduces fertility by removing topsoil. Loss of nutrient-rich surface layer reduces productivity.
Flashcard 12: What is the primary component of mineral soil?
Answer: Inorganic material. Weathered rock fragments provide structure and nutrients.
Flashcard 13: What is the pH range of basic soil?
Answer: pH greater than 7. High hydroxide ion concentration can limit phosphorus uptake.
Flashcard 14: Which soil type has equal parts of sand, silt, and clay?
Answer: Loam. Approximately equal proportions create ideal agricultural conditions.
Flashcard 15: What is the effect of organic amendments on soil?
Answer: Improve structure, fertility, and microbial activity. Add nutrients and beneficial organisms to enhance growth.
Flashcard 16: Which soil type has the fastest drainage?
Answer: Sand. Large pore spaces between particles allow rapid water movement.
Flashcard 17: Identify the process of converting organic waste into humus.
Answer: Composting. Aerobic decomposition creates stable organic matter.
Flashcard 18: What is the primary mineral component of clay?
Answer: Silicates. Layered aluminum and silicon structures provide stability.
Flashcard 19: What does soil texture affect?
Answer: Water retention, permeability, and workability. Particle size distribution determines physical behavior.
Flashcard 20: What is humus?
Answer: Decayed organic matter in soil. Forms from decomposition by bacteria and fungi over time.
Flashcard 21: What is the purpose of soil conservation?
Answer: Prevent soil erosion and degradation. Maintains productive agricultural land for future generations.
Flashcard 22: What is the B Horizon also known as?
Answer: Subsoil. Accumulation zone for leached minerals from upper layers.
Flashcard 23: What is soil fertility?
Answer: Ability of soil to provide nutrients for plant growth. Combination of physical, chemical, and biological factors.
Flashcard 24: Identify the soil horizon known as the topsoil.
Answer: A Horizon. Contains mixture of organic matter and weathered minerals.
Flashcard 25: What is soil permeability?
Answer: The ability of soil to transmit water and air. Controlled by pore size and connectivity between particles.
Flashcard 26: What is the role of soil microorganisms?
Answer: Decompose organic matter. Break down dead material into nutrients plants can absorb.
Flashcard 27: What is the primary factor in determining soil color?
Answer: Organic matter content and mineral composition. Dark colors indicate high organic content and iron oxides.
Flashcard 28: Identify the soil horizon rich in organic material.
Answer: O Horizon. Surface layer of fresh leaf litter and decomposing material.
Flashcard 29: What is the cation exchange capacity (CEC)?
Answer: Ability of soil to hold and exchange cations. Measures soil's ability to retain essential plant nutrients.
Flashcard 30: What is soil porosity?
Answer: The volume of pores or spaces in soil. Determines water storage capacity and gas exchange in soil.