Chapter 3 Flashcards
Absorb
take in (nutrient ions)
adsorption
(take out) is a surface function where plants take nutrients out of the soil solution and store the nutrients
anion
negatively charge ions
base saturation
Percentage of the cation exchange sites filled with exchangeable bases percentage.
cation
A positively charged ion; during electrolysis it is attracted to the negatively charged cathode.
Cation exchange capacity (CEC)
The sum total of exchangeable cations that a soil can adsorb.
chlorosis
Abnormal reduction or loss of the normal green coloration of leaves of plants
colloid
Small humus particles with a large surface area to collect water and nutrients.
compost
Organic residues, or a mixture of organic residues and soil, that have been piled, moistened, and allowed to undergo biological decomposition; Increases plant nutrient availability from organic materials.
elements
A simple form of matter that cannot be decomposed by ordinary chemical means. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), carbon (C), and the like, are examples of elements.
exchangeable bases
Can easily be replaced by another cation.
exchangeable cations
Cations that are weakly held, in direct contact with the soil solution, are exchanged fairly easy.
legumes
Plants with the characteristic of forming nitrogen-fixing nodules on their roots, in this way making use of atmospheric nitrogen. A pod-bearing member of the Leguminosae family. Includes species, such as peas, beans, peanuts, clovers, alfalfas, sweet clovers, lespedezas, vetches and kudzu.
macronutrients
Chemical element necessary in relatively larger amounts (usually greater than 500 parts per million in the plant) for plant growth. These elements are C, H, 0, N, P. K, S, Ca, and Mg.
micelle
A particle of silicate clay.
micronutrients
Chemical element necessary in relatively small amounts (usually less than 100 parts per million in the plant) for plant growth. These elements are B, CI, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn.
mottled
Spotted or blotched leaves.
necrotic
Soft or dead spots in fruit or tubers.
PH
acidity or alkalinity
soil: Negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration of a soil [pH = -log (W)]. Degree of acidity or alkalinity as determined by an electrode or indicator at a specified soil moisture content and expressed in terms of the pH scale (1-14); a low pH indicates acid soil, a pH of 7 is neutral, and a high pH indicates an alkaline soil.
rosetting
circular arrangement of leaves
slag
A byproduct of steel manufacturing.
silicate clays
A particle of silicate clay, called a micelle, is a flat, plate-like crystal made of many layers.
soil fertility
Ability of soil to supply nutrients for plant growth.
soil quality
Capacity of a soil to function, within land use and ecosystem boundaries, to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality and promote plant, animal and human health.
