Ch. 5: Soils & Soil Management Flashcards
soil
a complex, naturally formed material on the earth’s surface derived from the disintegration of rocks and decomposition of organic materials; provides nutrients, moisture, oxygen and anchorage for plant growth and development; determines the composition and function of ecosystems
field capacity
moisture content after gravity has removed all water it can
soil profile
horizons (layers of parent material)
A Horizon
topsoil
“organisms doing their thing”
B/C Horizon
subsoil
higher in clay, build on this layer
parent material
bedrock
O-Horizon
surface
soil texture
size of particles that make up soil; percentage of sand, silt, and clay sized particles in soil
soil structure
the arrangement of the soil particles into secondary units/aggregates; clumps of soil particles that act as individual larger particles
the key to good structure; organic matter and thriving communities of soil organisms
pH
relative amounts of hydrogen and OH- ions present
cation
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Cation Exchange Capacity
?
mulch
a material spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil
nitrogen drag
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tillage
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