Mid term test Flashcards
Climatic factors affecting yield
Precipitation (quantity & distribution) Air temperature Relative humidity Light wind
Soil factors affecting yield
Organic matter Texture Structure Soil fertility Slope and topography Soil temperature Soil moisture Tillage Depth
Crop factors affecting yield
Crop species Variety Planting date Seeding rate Seeding quality Pest Row spacing Evapotranspiration
The law of the minimum
Crop yield is determined by the most limiting factor. Yield can only increase if the limiting factor is eliminated .
Sources of mineral nutrients for plant uptake
Uptake from the soil solution.
The amounts of nutrients in the soil solution are small.
Alone these nutrients are not enough to produce a good crop.
Nutrients are replenished by those in soil solid phase
Nutrient supply is affected by
The nutrient concentration in soil solution
Amount of nutrient adsorbed on soil surfaces
The nutrient buffering capacity
What is buffering capacity
the ability of a soil to resist charge
Buffering capacity
The buffer capacity (BC) is described by the change in the amount of ion adsorbed (change in Q) as a result of a change in solution concentration (change in I)
How to increase buffering capacity
Increases with CEC, organic matter, and clay content
How does clay content increase buffering capacity
Higher clay content has higher CEC, clay has fine particles so larger surface area
Movement of ions from soil to roots - Root interception
Root growth increases soil-root contact
Directly taken up by plants
Movement of ions from soil to roots - Mass flow
Mass water flow
Provides large amounts of Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3 - , Cl- and SO4 2-
Decreases with lower soil moisture content and temperatures
Movement of ions from soil to roots - Diffusion
Ion moves from areas of high concentration to low concentration
Concentration gradient is created by plants absorbing nutrients
Rate reduces at lower soil moisture content
Soil Testing
Soil test is a chemical method for estimating the nutrient-supplying power of a soil.
What to avoid when soil sampling
- sampling atypical areas or after fertiliser additions
- e.g. close to fence lines, animal tracks, camping ground
- within six months of liming, immediately after grazing
Depth of soil sampling
75mm for pastures
150mm for arable land with cultivation
Soil sampling frequency
every 3-4 years for monitoring
more frequently during fertility development phase
what is Olsen P
Measures plant available P in soil solution and some in solid phase.
How is olsen p extracted
with sodium bicarbonate NaHCO3 ) (pH 8.5) solution.
Sulfate sulfur test
Extracting with potassium phosphate (KH2PO4 ) solution
Measures soil solution sulphate and exchangeable sulphate on soil surfaces
Why is it difficult to test Nitrogen in the soil
Because most N is in organic form