Nutrient Availability

Question 1

Ph Acid Soils

Answer 1

Calcium, potassium and copper become liquid and can easily be leached.

Phosphates become unavailability below pH 5.1

Question 2

Alkaline soils

Answer 2

Phosphorus availability decreases, also iron and manganese leading to lime induced chlorosis.

Question 3

Soil texture

Answer 3

Clay soils and soils with large amount of organic matter hold nutrients effectively compared to sandy soils.

Clay and humus content increase CEC.

Sandy soils leach nutrients.

Question 4

Soil temperature

Answer 4

Transport of nutrients increase as temperature increases.

Decomposition and release of nutrients from plant debris is slower in cold conditions as detritivores and saprophytes need warmth but will die if the temperature is too high.

Question 5

Soil aeration

Answer 5

Micro organisms that release plant nutrients require soil air, also plant needs good aeration to form a healthy root system.

Question 6

Soil organisms

Answer 6

Break down plant and animal debris, releasing nutrients into soil, they are responsible for most of the nutrients released from organic matter.

Mycorrhizae have a symbiotic relationship with plants increasing capacity of the plant to take up nutrients.

Question 7

Water availability.

Answer 7

Too much water - plant roots can rot, nutrients can be leached, anaerobic conditions may occur.

Too little water - nutrients may not be dissolved and cannot travel through plant.

Question 8

Leaching

Answer 8

Leads to loss of water soluble plant nutrients as they are washed away from root zone by rain/irrigation.