Aa Flashcards
SOIL RESOURCES
• A Horizon (Topsoil) is the layer of soil that contains the highest amount of organic matter
and is crucial for plant growth.
• The process in which water moves down through the soil
taking with it dissolved minerals
and nutrients
is known as leaching.
• Clay refers to the smallest particle size in soil
with a diameter of less than 0.002 millimeters.
• Laterization is the soil-forming process that occurs in humid tropical climates and results in
iron-rich
reddish soils.
• A dense layer of soil that restricts root growth and water movement is called hardpan.
• Gravitational water is a type of water that moves freely through soil due to gravity but is
not typically available to p.
• The vertical cross-section of soil from the surface down to the parent material is known as
a soil profile.
• Salinization refers to the accumulation of salts in soil
often occurring in arid and semi-arid
regions.
• The organic component of soil
formed from the decomposition of plant and animal
matter
is called humus.
• The acidity or alkalinity of soil is measured using the pH scale.
Soil structure is the term for soil particles clumping into distinct shapes or structures.
A type of soil that has a pH level below 7 is classified as acidic.
The process by which soil becomes more mature and develops distinct horizons over time
is known as soil development.
• Hygroscopic water is tightly bound to soil particles and cannot be accessed by plants.
• The breakdown of rocks into smaller fragments through physical
chemical
processes is called weathering.
Multiple Choice: Soil Resources
Which component of soil is responsible for providing nutrients and retaining moisture?
A. Inorganic materials
B. Organic matter
C. Soil air
D. Bedrock
What term refers to water that moves through soil due to gravity but is not available to
plants?
A. Hygroscopic water
B. Capillary water
C. Gravitational water
D. Surface water
What is the pH range of acidic soils?
A. 0-7
B. 7-14
C. Exactly 7
D. 6-8
