Soil

What is the most important physical characteristic of soil Pg7

Soil structure

Soil structure is affected by pg 11

Tillage moisture level ,freezing ,and thawing ,root growth ,soil organisms, foot or vehicle traffic

What is a ideal soil

50% solid material which is mineral material and organic matter and 50 percent pore space

What are the signs of nitrogen deficiency

A reduction in growth such as small leaves, yellowing or stunting - symptoms are observed first on older leaves and stems

What are the principal horizons pg3

A surface soil or topsoil,b subsoil ,c parent material, beneath that is the r layer which is rock

What are horizons pg 3

Are layers in the soil

How do roots change soil structure

As they grow roots tend to enlarge the opening in the soil When they die and decay they leave channels for the movement of air and water

How do nutrients become available

By the weathering of minerals, by the soil chemical reactions which dissolve larger compounds rain carries nutrients from the atmosphere, microbial decomposition of organic matter, fertilizer limestone applications

What are clay soils like pg 6

Clay gives the soil a sticky plastic feel and cohesiveness Clay is the most chemically active soil separate Clay particles have a negative charge so they can attract positively charged ions such as calcium magnesium potassium and ammonium Which allows them to store large quantities of plant nutrients Clay soils are hard to work when wet it's sticky when dry it's hard and The particles of clay are much smaller so they have a larger water holding capacity

Soil drainage is determined by what

Color of the soil

What can destroy soil structure pg 7

Compaction or by working the soil when it is too wet or dry

Nitrogen becomes available to plants thru

Composition of organic matter by soil microorganisms, The addition of fertilizers and organic amendments, and rain fall,

Surface soil or a horizon pg 4

Contains more organic matter than other layers is a dark brown color. Is more fertile and has biological activity plants get most of their nutrients from the surface soil

What are some types of organic materials

Crop residues , manures,compost peat moss,leaf mold and sawdust green manure lawn clippings, cover crops, natural- organic sources of plant nutrients such as a bag go fertilizer from the store

Organic matter can be used how

Directly as compost as mulch as natural fertilizer with cover crops

Name three primary structural types that are found in Connecticut soils

Granular ,blocky and platy Agranular soil is an ideal environment for a plant roots and is suitable for a establishing plants from seeds or transplants. pores between the granular aggregates are large and roots penetrate then easily-Clay soil promotes the formation of granular structure by swelling and shrinking as it absorbs water and dries out

What are symptoms of excess nitrogen

Green lush color weak and spiny stems and few fruits and flowers

What does organic matter do

Increases nutrient holding capacity increases water holding capacity improves structure and drainage is the source of plant nutrients supplies energy and food to soil organisms More on page 23

Soil porosity

Is a Measure of the pore space Volume of a given soil

Subsoil or the B horizon pg 4

Is firmer has a finer texture than surface soil it's organic matter is much lower subsoil colors are red brown yellow it provides storage space for water and plant nutrients, it aids in regulating the soil temperature and the air for plant roots

What does it mean when soil is dark brown

Is high in organic matter

Cation exchange capacity pg 19

Is the ability of the soil to hold a retain nutrients

What is soil porosity why is it important

It is the measure of the pore space volume of a given soil Pore space is essential for the movement of air water and plant roots Sandy soil has large poor spaces which promote rapid drainage of water and leaching of nutrients and organic matter Clay soils contain tiny pore spaces which may impede root growth and water drainage a solution would be to add more organic matter to improve the soil structure and porosity

What Does it mean when the soil is red or yellow

It means it is high in iron well drained

What does an ideal soil do

It provides plant roots with evenly distributed water it brings oxygen for root respiration it provides plant roots with oxygen for microbio activity it provides plant roots with good pore structure so roots can grow freely and deeply and it provides the roots with nutrients

What is lead contamination caused by

Lead-based , lead gasoline ,use of lead arsenate as a pesticide

What are the essential mineral elements

Macro nutrients and micronutrients pg 28-29

What are two soil organisms

Macro organisms which are animals earthworms insects and micro organisms fungi,actinomycetes bacteria

C horizon or parent material pg 4

Maybe made of decompose rocked that has acquired characteristics of the subsoil. Parent materials influence the soils texture,natural fertility,rate of formation ,acidity and depth as well as surrounding topography.

What are aggregates

Micro organisms secrete sticky glue like materials which help bind individual microscopic clay particles into larger stable clumps called aggregates

Soil characteristics have four major components that are

Mineral particles, organic matter, water,and air

What is a ped pg 7

Naturally formed aggregates

What is nitrogen Nitrogen is the element that most commonly limits growth in plants

Nitrogen is part of all living cells It stimulates green leafy growth Plants take up mostly as no3 nitrate and sometimes no4(ammonium

What does soil pH affects. Pg17 The reaction of soil is ph The pH of a soil strongly influences the availability of mineral elements needed for plant growth

Nutrient availability ,element toxicity ,microbial activity ,the fate of soil pollutants, root growth ,and aggregate stability

What does it mean to not be mobile

Once the nutrient is incorporated into the plant tissue it cannot be used by other plants to meet their deficiencies

Arden and practices that reduce lead contamination are on

Pg 29

What does organic matter consist of

Plant and animal remains in various stages of decomposition and the microorganisms that feed upon these remains ex: organic material helps develop good air water relationships. In sand ,organic material occupies some of the space between sand grains thus increasing the water holding capability of the soil in Clay soils ,organic materials create aggregates allowing water to move more rapidly through the large pores created by the aggregates

How are nutrients taken up

Route interception-absorbed from soil solution at Route surfaces Mass flow- as plants transpire water is lost through the leaves and then replaced through the roots Diffusion- nutrients move from areas of greater to lesser concentration's

What do Gray soils mean

SOil that is too wet

What are the mineral particles in soil

Sand silt clay

What are sandy soils like pg 6

Sandy soils are gritty when rubbed and provide good drainage and aeration but because the particles are larger then silt and clay thay do not hold much and nutrients very long

What is the function of soil

Soil is support for roots soil brings nutrients for plant growth soil is natures recycling system soil is a habitat for soil organisms soil is the principal factor controlling fate of water

What are the factors that control nutrient supply and uptake

Soil moisture- water. soil air- root can take up water. soil pH - determining if the nutrients are soluble , soil organisms, soil compaction ,soil temperatures- if frozen no movement, nutrient interactions- too much of one, amount of organic matter

What are New England soils like pg 7-

Stony acidic Sandy loams they are a result of glaciation, Low in phosphorus, higher in potassium,areas of lakebed sediment pg 2 Areas of lakebed sediments

Two main factors that affect organic matter in soil

Temperature and oxidation

What are the physical properties of soil

Texture structure, internal drainage, depth, and color Texture refers to the proportions of sand silt and Clay Structure is the overall arrangements or aggregation of soil particles

What is soil pH pg17

The measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil what does soil pH affect ph is a measure of the hydrogen-acid forming ion activity of soil or other plant growing medium

What does it mean when nutrients are said to be mobile

The plants nutrients move within the plant to satisfy its deficiency in the total plant

What is hummus pg3

The portion of organic matter that remains after most decomposition has taken place and soil nutrients - when soil temperature and moisture conditions are good earthworms insects bacteria fungi and other types of plants and animals use the organic matter as food breaking it down into hummus

What is internal drainage

The rate and extent of water movement in soil Which includes water across the surface like a slope or downward through the soil

How does water and air affect soil

They are found between the mineral and organic components these pore spaces account up to 50% of the total soil volume pg 3

What are silty soils like pg 6

They feel smooth when dry and slippery but not sticky when moist because they have a smaller poor space they have a slower water intake and hold water longer then sandy soil

How can we prevent soil breakdown

Till the soil ,make paths to step on thru out garden, Bacterial decomposition rooted cover crops help push soil particles together to form aggregates