All Flashcards
Why does organic matter increase water retention?
Organic matter acts like a sponge, holding more water.
How does particle size affect porosity?
Larger particles = larger pores = higher porosity.
How does particle size affect permeability?
Larger particles = higher permeability.
What is the relationship between soil compaction and permeability?
High compaction = low permeability.
How do fungi and bacteria affect soil?
They play a huge role in soil composition and nutrient cycles.
What does a high cation exchange capacity indicate?
Stable pH and nutrient levels in the soil.
Why is soil aeration important for plants?
Good aeration provides plants with necessary air, water, and nutrients.
How does soil pH affect plant growth?
Soil pH impacts what nutrients are available and therefore which plants can grow.
What characteristics define a fertile soil?
Adequate nutrients (N, P, K) and organic matter.
What is the importance of soil as an ecosystem?
Soil teems with life, with fungi and bacteria playing key roles in nutrient cycles.
Define water-holding capacity.
The amount of water soil can hold against gravity.
Define porosity in soil.
How much pore space there is in soil.
Define permeability in soil.
How easily water and nutrients move through soil.
Define soil fertility.
The soil's ability to support plant growth, depending on nutrients and organic matter.
Define cation exchange capacity.
Soil's ability to attract positively charged ions (cations).
Define soil aeration.
How well soil can take in air, water, and nutrients.
Define soil compaction.
How tightly packed soil particles are.
Define loam.
Soil with a balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay.
Define soil pH.
How acidic or basic the soil is.
Define soil texture.
The relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil.
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.