Chapter 3: The Environment Flashcards
Aggregates
Crumbs (of dirt)
Aspect
The direction a slope faces
Bedrock
Solid rock below the soil
Climate
Annual pattern of temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind and sunlights (THROWS) over 30 years
Continentality
Measure of difference between annual mean difference between hottest and coldest months
Diurnal Range
Average difference between daytime and night-time temperatures
Dry Farming
Apply no irrigation
Evapotranspiration
The amount of transpiration from the vine, combined with the evaporation of water from the soil surface
Inorganic compounds
Compounds that do not contain carbon; vine roots can absorb inorganic compounds
Mineralization
The process by which organisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria, earthworms) feed on organic matter and turn it into inorganic matter that vine roots can absorb
Organic compounds
Compounds that contain carbon; vine roots cannot absorb organic compounds; they need to be converted to inorganic compounds
Soil
The upper layer of earth; consists of geological sediment (solid matter) than has been moved by wind or water to a new location
Soil texture
Describes the proportions of the mineral particles of sand, silt and clay; fine / loose texture
Structure
Describes how the mineral particles in the soil form aggregates (crumbs)
Transpiration
Water diffuses from stomata; loss of water in leaf cells causes water to be pulled upward from soil, through roots, to above-ground parts of the vine
