Crucial Agriculture info Flashcards
Q: What methods help prevent soil compaction?
A: Avoiding overgrazing, reducing cultivations, and maintaining good soil structure.
Q: What is soil bulk density?
A: The weight of a unit volume of soil, indicating soil strength.
Q: What factors affect soil bulk density?
A: Texture, aggregation, organic matter, compaction, soil management, and soil horizon.
Q: How is soil bulk density measured?
A cylindrical core is hammered into the soil.
The core is removed, dried, and weighed.
Bulk Density = Dry weight of sample / Volume of soil core.
Q: How does high bulk density affect plant production?
A: It restricts root growth, reduces air and water movement, and leads to poor plant growth and increased erosion.
Q: What is soil porosity?
A: The amount of pore space between soil particles.
Q: How is soil porosity formed?
A: Through root movement, worm activity, expanding gases, and dissolution of soil parent material.
Q: How does good soil porosity affect plant growth?
Good porosity allows root penetration, water flow, and airflow.
Q: How does bad soil porosity affect plant growth?
Poor porosity leads to compaction, waterlogging, and reduced gas exchange.
Q: What do soil microorganisms do?
Decompose organic matter and Cycle nutrients
