LESSON 4 - PLANT/SOIL/WATER RELATIONSHIPS Flashcards by Alex S

1)In__ M__ 2) Or__ M__ 3) Wa__ 4)Ai_ 5)Li__ O__

What is soil composed of?

(5)

1) Inorganic Material
2) Organic Material
3) Water
4) Air
5) Living Organisms

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S__ T__

What is the MOST important soil characteristic?

Soil Texture

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Si__ and Di__ of in__.

Soil Texture refers to the proportionate size and__.

Distribution of inorganic mineral soil particles found in natural soil.

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1) Cl__ 2) Si__ 3) Sa__

What are the 3 main particles found in soil?

1) Clay
2) Silt
3) Sand

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List the 3 main particles in soil from SMALLEST TO LARGEST.

1) Clay
2) Silt
3) Sand

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Loams have properties resulting from about __ influences of __, __, and __.

Loams have properties resulting from about equal influences of sand, silt, and clay.

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Soil Texture determines the rate __ drains through saturated soil.

Water

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1) Re__ , 2) Ho__ 3) Inf__

Soil Amendments are added to soil to improve water 1) __, nutrient 2) __ capacity, permeability, water 3) __, drainage, aeration, and structure.

Soil Amendments are added to soil to improve water retention, nutrient holding capacity, permeability, water infiltration, drainage, aeration, and structure.

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1) Co__, 2) Pe__, 3) Wo__

3 types of organic materials are __, __, and __

1) Composts
2) Peat
3) Wood

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Organic Matter should be applied at a depth of 1 to 1) __ inches AND incorporated uniformly into the top 2) _ inches of soil.

1) 1 to 3 inches
2) 6 inches of soil

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Wa__ Ho__ Ca__ // Im__ Dr__ // Ae__

What do inorganic amendments approve in the soil?

(3)

1) Water Holding Capacity
2) Improve drainage
3) Aeration

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1) Op__ 2) So__

Soil Porosity refers to the amount of pore or 1)__ space between 2)__ particles.

Soil Porosity refers to the amount of pore or 1) open space between 2) soil particles.

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1) Si__ 2) Sh__ 3) As__

Porosity is largely influenced by factors of grain __, __, and __.

1) Size
2) Shape
3) Assortment

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1) Ag__ 2) Co__ 3) Pe__

Soil Structure is the way soil particles 1)__ or 2)__ together into units called 3)__.

Soil Structure is the way soil particles 1) aggregate or 2) come together into units called 3) peds.

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Does higher soil temperature cause higher or lower seed germination and plant growth?

Higher temperature

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Roots from many species perform poorly when soil temperature drop below __ Degrees F.

*Due to reduced ability to transport necessary things*

60 Degrees F

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What does RED soil indicate?

Accumulation of Iron Oxides under GOOD Aeration and GOOD Oxygenation

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What does YELLOW soil indicate?

Accumulation of Iron Oxides under POOR Oxygen conditions

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What does GRAY soil indicate?

Iron Oxide accumulation under conditions of BOTH LOW oxygen and aeration.

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What does WHITE soil indicate?

Presence of Carbonates AND Magnesium

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1) Cl__ 2) Hu__

Colloids are very SMALL particles of 1) __ and 2) __.

1) Clay
2) Humus

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Mottling Soil indicates fluctuating conditions in the __ table.

Water Table

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1) Cl__ 2) Hu__ 3) Ne__

1)__ and 2)__ are 3)__ charged and are sites of MOST chemical reactions

1) Clay
2) Humus
3) Negatively

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C/N Ratio is an indicator of how fast __ will come available for plant use.

Nitrogen

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As organic matter decomposes -- 1)\_\_ is released to the atmosphere leaving more 2)\_\_ for plants to use for growth.

1) Carbon 2) Nitrogen

Residues with C/N Ratio at or below \_:\_ OR LESS has adequate nitrogen to feed microorganisms and plant growth.

20:1

# 1) Nu\_\_ 2) Le\_\_ **Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC)** measures the soil's ability to retain 1)\_\_ against 2)\_\_.

1) Nutrients 2) Leaching

Cations are 1)\_\_ charged particles and are **adsorbed (retained)** to 2)\_\_ charged sites on clay and 3)\_\_.

1) Positively 2) Negatively 3) Humus

Soils with high CEC = are __ fertile

**Soil PH** is a measure of the % of __ ion concentration.

**Hydrogen** Ion Concentration (H+)

The **median PH** for soil in **Florida** is \_\_.

6.1 - Acidic

# 1) P\_\_ 2) Fl\_\_woods **Sandy soils** under 1)\_\_ 2)\_\_woods and **organic soils** can be acidic. ## Footnote **BECAUSE OF LEACHING - WELL DRAINED SOILS = ACIDITY**

1) Pine 2) Flatwoods

**Coastal soils** and **soils in South Florida** are considered to be __ soils.

Alkaline Soils

Optimum PH for most plants is between \_.\_ PH and \_.\_ PH.

5.5 - 7.0

What does **dolomite** consist of?

Contains both **Calcium and Magnesium**

# 1) Calcium Ca\_\_ 2) Do\_\_ 3) Hydrated Li\_\_ To raise PH of soil **(acid to base)** add calcium 1)\_\_, 2)\_\_, or Hydrated 3)\_\_.

1) Calcium Carbonate 2) Dolomite 3) Hydrated Lime

What is a plant **buffering capacity**?

The ability of a soil to **resist a change of PH**

The Sulfur Application should not exceed __ pound **per 100 square feet**

1 pound per 100 square feet

Two **separate applications of sulfur** should be made __ days apart.

60 days apart

**Soluble Salts** refer to 100% of the dissolved inorganic __ (ions) present in soil water.

Inorganic Solutes (Ions)

**High levels of Soluble Salt** reduce __ uptake by plants and cause the burning of foliage.

Reduce water uptake by plants

Measurement of the __ (EC) of soil is an **indication of the concentration of soluble salts**.

Electrical Conductivity

What is the **unit of mmhos/cm** represent?

Electrical Conductivity

Elevated Electrical Conductivity (EC) reading (mmhos/cm) - is **greater than __ to 2.0** ## Footnote **\*Therefore the water should be mixed with a HIGHER quality of water\***

Greater than **1.5 to 2.0 mmhos/cm**

\_\_ (flushing) of soil with pure water is the solution to soils with **HIGH Electrical Conductivity (EC)**.

Leaching(flushing)

# Sub\_\_ Plants in pots are **called medium** or \_\_.

Substrate

# 1) Ph\_\_ Support 2) Ad\_\_ Water Container mediums are used to 1)\_\_ support, supply adequate 2)\_\_, water, and nutrients.

1) Physically Support 2) Supply Adequate Oxygen

Water held in pore spaces is known as __ Action.

Capillary

What is **water to water molecules sticking together** called?

Cohesion

What is **water molecules sticking to OTHER molecules** called?

Adhesion

Capillary Action occurs because 1)\_\_ molecules stick to each other **(cohesion)** AND those water molecules are attracted to 2)\_\_ molecules **(adhesion)** and **held in the pore space**.

1) Water molecules 2) Other molecules

\*A taller soil container results in a 1)\_\_ drainage rate because of increased gravity. \*Shorter columns drain 2)\_\_ and hold more 3)\_\_.

1) Increased 2) Slowly 3) Water

# 1) Re\_\_ 2) Se\_\_ 3) Co\_\_ **Compaction** refers to the 1)\_\_ in container medium caused by 2)\_\_ or 3)\_\_.

1) Reduction 2) Settling 3) Compression

# 1) Po\_\_ 2) Pa\_\_ 3) Im\_\_ **Compaction can occur because of** poor 1)\_\_ practices, breakage of 2)\_\_, and 3)\_\_ of overhead irrigation.

1) Potting 2) Particles 3) Impact

\_\_ occurs as a result of **media particle degradation**.

Shrinkage

**Rapid Decay of matter** results in __ media container volume. ## Footnote **\*Lower C:N Ratio**

Lower

\_\_ is the **MOST COMMON** growth media component.

Peat Moss

# 1) Wa\_\_ 2) Ai\_\_ 3) Ca\_\_ Ex\_\_ 4) De\_\_ **Peat Moss** has high 1)\_\_ holding capacity, adequate 2)\_\_ space, high 3)\_\_ 3)\_\_ capacity, and resistance to 4)\_\_.

1) Water 2) Air 3) Cation Exchange 4) Decay

# Sp\_\_ 1)\_\_ peat is the preferred peat for greenhouses \*2 Most common are 1)\_\_ peats and **Hypnum Peats**

1) Sphagnum

Perlite provides increased 1)\_\_ space -- THEREFORE -- 2)\_\_ **drainage and aeration**

1) Pore 2) Increased

**Perlite** has **LOW** 1)\_\_ holding capacity and an **extremely low CEC**.

1) Water

# 1) In\_\_ 2) Bu\_\_ Vermiculite provides 1)\_\_ space for air and water - Good 2)\_\_ action - **Good CEC**.

1) Increased 2) Buffering

Vermiculite has __ physical stability after wetting.

Poor

**Polystyrene Foam** provides soil with 1)\_\_ drainage, 2)\_\_ water holding capacity, and 3)\_\_ bulk density.

1) Improve 2) Increase 3) Reduce

\_\_ is the greatest regulator of how a plant grows.

Water

\_\_ is the **total evaporative water loss** from soil and the plant.

Evapotranspiration

**Internal water pressure** is known as __ pressure.

Turgor

\_\_ is due to **loss of turgor pressure due to decreased water**.

Wilting

The soil is at __ \_\_ when **all gravitational water has been drained** and **vertical movement of water due to gravity is negligible**.

Field Capacity

The **Permanent Wilting Point** is when there is no more __ to be available for plant use.

Water

**Water Stress occurs when** water loss through 1)\_\_ exceeds the ability to absorb 2)\_\_ \_\_

1) Transpiration 2) Soil Moisture

# 1) So\_\_ 2) Li\_\_ The **first symptom of Water Stress** is when leaf and stem tissues become 1)\_\_ and 2)\_\_.

1) Soft 2) Limp

Water Stress **effects on plant color** -- turns plant color \_\_-green

Bluish-Green

**Indicator plants** show signs of water stress 1 to __ days before others.

1 to 2 days before others

**Determining soil moisture by touch** can be done _ in below the surface.

1 Inch

**Light Level - Intensity** is measured in foot \_\_.

Foot Candles

# Ph\_\_ The **relationship of the length between day and night** is known as \_\_.

Photoperiod

# Li\_\_ Du\_\_ 1)\_\_ __ = Photoperiod

1) Light Duration

Who makes the **Plant Hardiness Zone Map**?

USDA

The **PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAP** is divided into **"Hardiness Zones"** which are regions divided by __ degree F regions.

10 Degrees F

**PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAP** represents **average temperatures** over a __ year period.

30 Year Period

Each zone in the PLANT HARDINESS ZONE MAP is divided into 1)\_\_ Degree F A & 2)\_ Half-Zones

1) 10 Degree F 2) A&B Half Zones

AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HEAT ZONE MAP is divided into __ zones.

12 zones

# 1) Av\_\_ 2) He\_\_ AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HEAT ZONE MAP zones indicate the 1)\_\_ number of days each year a given region experiences 2)\_\_ days.

1) Average 2) Heat

Define "Heat Days" in terms of the AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY HEAT ZONE MAP.

Heat Days are temperatures over 86 Degrees F