Edafic (soil) Factors Flashcards
What are the soil factors
Soil type
Soil water
Soil acidity
SOIL TYPE
how ware soils made
Soils are made from weathered rock
SOIL TYPE
list the 3types of soil and explain how they are classified
Sand
Loam
Clay
Classification based on the size of soil particles and water retention ability and the amount of humus in the soil
SOIL TYPE
What is humus and Why is the amount of humus in the soil important
Humus is a sticky substance that forms when decomposes break down dead organic matter in the soil
It is important because it enriches the soil and provides recycled nutrients for plant growth and it holds particles in a clumps and absorbs water and holds it in the soil
SOIL TYPE
What is loamy soil made out of
It contains a mixture of sand , silt and clay particles
SOIL TYPE
What is water capacity important for.
Describe the water capacity of clay and sand particles
water capacity important for plant growth
Clay particles retain the most water
Sand soil retain the least amount of water
SOIL WATER
what is hygroscopic water
Hygroscopic water is a thin layer of water spring each soil particles and it is not available to plants as it is sticks tightly onto soil particle
SOIL WATER
What is capillary water
It’s us the water found in small spaces around soil particles and this is available to plants
SOIL WATER
Describe the water capacity of sand , long and clay particles
Sandy soil- large air spaces ,little water is retained
Loamy -smaller air spaces ,more water is retained
Clay -vey small air spaces that become water logged and hold very little air so plants are unable to grow ,retain a lot of water
SOIL ACIDITY
WAHT US SOIL PH
The measure of the degree of acidity of the soil solution .
SOIL ACIDITY
I’m what areas will pants grow best and when will plants don’t grow well
Plants grow best when the soil has the optimum pH for the plant
Plants will not grow well in areas where pH is unsuitable
SOIL ACIDITY
What happens if rainfall is high
Soil is acidic (has a low pH) as the bases are leached out to the lower layers
Upper layers of soil are acid whole the lower layers are alkaline
SOIL ACIDITY
Acid loving plants may be found growing with alkaline living plants
Describe how they will grow
Acid loving plants have roots in the upper acidic layers of soil
Alkaline loving plants have longer roots in the deeper alkaline layers of the soil
SOIL ACIDITY
What do you call grass that frowns in acid soil and grass that grow in alkaline soil
Acid soil - sourveld- grazing preferred on young grass
Alkaline soil - sweetveld-grazing preferred on matured grass
SOIL ACIDITY
Describe the growth of bacteria and fungi and why they are important
Bacteria is thrive in alkaline soil
Fungi prefer acid soils
There’s organisms are vital to the process of decomposing matter and are also important in the nitrogen cycle
