Soil Final Exam Flashcards
1
Q
Which one is an epipedon
A
mollic
2
Q
Dry soils with ochric epipedons, may have calcic subsurface horizon
A
aridisol
3
Q
Soils that have permafrost within the upper horizons
A
gelisol
4
Q
Which epipedon is human made?
A
Plaggen
5
Q
Soils containing high amounts of organic matter and low bulk density, and develop under water-saturated conditions
A
histosol
6
Q
Soils developed in volcanic ash deposits that are often composed of amorphous (non-crystalline) compounds
A
andisol
7
Q
The order Spodosol, by definition, must have what diagnostic horizon
A
spodic
8
Q
Soils high in swelling-type clays, deep cracks form at the surface when dry
A
vertisol
9
Q
Moderate to high base saturation (>35%) in the argillic or natric diagnostic horizon
A
alfisol
10
Q
Soft, dark-colored soils of grassland areas, >50% base saturation in surface horizons
A
mollisol
11
Q
metamorphic form of limestone
A
marble
12
Q
Contains an accumulation of silicate clays
A
Bt1
13
Q
The mineral part of the pedosphere
A
lithosphere
14
Q
Where is the highest point of elevation in Missouri?
A
Taum Sauk
15
Q
Which texture has the most total pore space?
A
fine-texture soil such as clay
16
Q
KAlSi3O8 + H2O → HAlSi3O8 + KOH where water reacts to form a more soluble compound
A
hydrolysis
17
Q
materials moved in large landslides are this type of material
A
colluvial
18
Q
In a horizon 2Bx1, the 1 indicates the
A
the subdivision of the subordinate horizon
19
Q
Which bulk density value (g/cm3) is most likely an O horizon
A
0.6
20
Q
the subordinate in 2Bx3
A
x
21
Q
Horizon most likely to have granular structure
A
Ap
22
Q
The top-most mineral horizon
A
A
23
Q
The soil most likely to be well-drained (aerated)
A
7.5YR 4/6
24
Q
CaCO3 → Ca2+ + CO3 2- is an example of a breakdown into ions
A
dissolution
25
Which bulk density value (g/cm3) would most likely restrict root growth
1.8
26
an alluvial fan is made of materials that have been
wahed down by water at the base of a slope
27
Horizon most likely to have angular blocky structure
Bt
28
What is a "loam" soil?
a soil that exhibits properties of equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay. The texture is not equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay however. Clay has a strong influence on soil properties, so a loam soil is a textural class with less than 33% (1/3) clay.
29
breakdown of rocks into smaller sizes, without a change in composition
physical weathering
30
The zone of maximum eluviation is the master horizon
E
31
cultivation (plowing) of a soil for may years will cause the bulk density of the A horizon to
increase over time
32
Indicates the redness or yellowness of a soil
Hue
33
shale
sedimentary clay
34
Has the greatest amount of surface area per unit volume
clay
35
0.0015 mm diameter particle
clay
36
organic matter being carried to the B horizon by an ant collony (or cheetas)
translocations
37
Most (over 95%) of soils in Missouri are
mineral soils
38
The particle density of a soil will always be ________ the bulk density of the same soil
Greater than
39
drumlins and morains are made from this type of deposited material
glacial
40
oxidation of iron minerals in B horizon
Transformations
41
Percent of the Earth’s entire crust suitable for food production is
about 3% (1/32)
42
Which statement is true about the official state soil of Missouri?
primarily silty
43
rock made from the reformed sediments from the breakdown of other rocks
sedimentary
44
part of the soil color that changes when a dry soil becomes wet
Value
45
5.00 mm diameter particle
coarse fragment (not a soil separate)
46
type of rock formed directly from molten/volcanic materials
igneous
47
chemical reaction of iron compounds in the soil exposed to oxygen and “rusting”
oxidation-reduction
48
humans spreading fertilizer on soil surface
additions
49
Stoke's Law indicates that this soil separate is the first to fall out of a soil suspension and settle out of solution
sand
50
Horizon not included in the “solum”
C
51
The zone of maximum illuviation is the master horizon
B
52
Contains a fragipan
Bx2
53
parent material usually found in flood plains
alluvial
54
of the choices below, what soil would have the most sand?
loamy sand
55
Indicates water logged conditions for prolonged periods of time
a low chroma
56
When texturing a soil by hand, pressing the soil between your thumb and fore finger into a thin length until it breaks apart is a process called
ribboning
57
someone who studies soil from the standpoint of profile development, classification, and descriptions would be called a
pedologist
58
More organic matter in a soil will be indicated in the color by
a lower value
59
0.20 mm diameter particle
sand
60
granite
igneous
61
The soil most red in hue
2.5YR 5/7
62
CaSO4 +H2O → CaSO4.H20 in which water is incorporated
hydration
63
Elephant Rock state park has examples of __________ rock, when a majority of the bedrock in Missouri is ______________.
igneous; sedimentary
64
sand dunes are made by these types of transported materials
eolian
65
A transition horizon
BC
66
loess hills of NW Missouri and Eastern Iowa are made of this type of material
eolian
67
When texturing by hand, a "gritty" feel indicates
more sand in the sample
68
In a horizon 2Bt3, the 2 indicates the
a change in parent material
69
In a video we watched Dr. Weil, one our our authors of our textbook, described a soil condition of a plow pan. Describe the soil condition he was talking about and how it was formed. Discuss one way to improve this condition in the soil.
Dr. Weil was describing a plow pan, a layer of compacted, higher density soil caused by machinery and plowing of soil. This density causes roots not to grow into that layer and restricts water movment, so essentially we are groing crops with roots only in the top 6-10 inches of the soil and not utilizing the soil depth of our fields. Ways to improve a plow pan would be to grow deeply rooted plants and ones with large taproots. Another way we talked about in class was to use machinery to deeply knife/rip the soil past the plow pan depth.
70
basalt
igneous
71
What are the 5 factors of soil formation?
Parent material
Climate (temperature and rainfall)
Biota (living organisms)
Topography (relief)
Time
72
Indicates how brightness or dullness (gray) of a color
Chroma
73
type of rock that has been changed due to high temperature and pressure
metamorphic
74
organic parent materials made from woody plant material
terrestic peat
75
What is the difference between soil texture and soil structure?
soil texture is the relative amounts of sand, silt, and clay in the soil. structure is the arrangement of sand, silt, clay, and OM (the shapes that are made).
76
In the color 5Y 3/4 the value is
3
77
Isomorphic substitution in the octahedral sheet
Aluminum is removed and replaced with magnesium
78
bentonite, used to seal to bottom of ponds, is this type of clay
Montmorillonite
79
A tetrahedron is a
four-sided structure with a Si in the pore
80
“tropical clays”, iron and aluminum oxides
Oxide-hydroxide clays
81
Which statement is true about soil pH?
nutrient availability for plant uptake can be affected by soil pH
82
If the pHw of a soil is 6.0 then the pHs is about equal to
5.5
83
What causes some clays to be considered "shrink/swell" clays that expand in volume when wetted? What causes other types of clays to not shrink/swell?
1) shrink/swell clays expand in volume due to its large interlayer between the sheets of its crystalline structure. Water can enter the interlayer and expand the volume of the clay.
2) Clays that don't shrink/swell do not have a space in the interlayer, it is either small or closed off so water cannot get in.
84
Of the colloids listed, which one has the lowest CEC
Oxide-hydroxide clays
85
Organic colloids have a large CEC because of
A large number of pH dependent sites
86
In general, the lower (smaller number) the % Base Saturation of a soil, the ______ the pH of the soil.
Lower (smaller number)
87
Neutralizable Acidity is a measurement of which pool of acidity in a soil?
Exchangeable acidity
88
the negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration
pH
89
BONUS: the pH of CocaCola (or any cola) is about
2.2
90
A 2:1 clay structure indicates each layer is
Tetrahedral sheet: octahedral sheet: tetrahedral sheet
91
An octahedron is
An eight-sided structure with an Al in the pore
92
What is the "buffering capacity" of a soil? How does CEC of the soil affect buffering capacity (what is the general relationship between CEC and buffering capacity)?
1) buffering capacity is the ability of the soil to resist changes in pH
2) the greater the CEC, the greater the buffering capacity
93
pH is a measurement of
Active acidity
94
Ol’ MacDonald had a farm, and on that farm he spread some nitrogen fertilizer. He choose to spread nitrate (NO3) based fertilizer, rather than ammonium (NH4) based fertilizer. How should Ol' MacDonald expect his soil pH to change as a result of appying nitrate? (1pt) EXPLAIN how each of these fertilizers, both ammonium and nitrate, affect soil pH and why they do so. (4pts)
Ol' MacDonald should expect his soil to become less acidic (higher pH).
When ammonium is present, the roots of plants release a hydrogen into the soil in order to take up an NH4+. The addition of hydrogens in the soil will lower the soil pH, making it more acidic. WHen nitrate is present, roots take up 3 H+ with it, reducing the acidity in the soil solution and raising the pH of the soil.
95
What is the difference between active acidity, exchangeable acidity, and residual acidity in a soil?
active = hydrogens in soil solution; exchangeable = hydrogens adsorbed to soil colloids exchange sites (negative sites, CEC) that can easily exchange into solution; residual are hydrogens strongly imbeded in the colloid structure and will not exchange off the colloids into solution.
96
One way a land owner could manage their soil to increase the soil CEC would be to
Manage the soil to increase % organic matter
97
2:1 limited expanding clay
Vermiculite
98
permanent negative sites in silicate clays are caused by this
isomorphic substitution
99
2:2 (2:1:1) non-expanding clay
Chlorite
100
1:1 non-expanding clay
Kaolinite
101
A pH of 6.0 has __________hydrogen ions than pH 4.0
100 times less
102
BONUS: the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust
Al
103
Of the colloids listed, which one has the greatest CEC?
Humus
104
2:1 highly-expanding clay
Montmorillonite
105
A 1:1 clay structure indicates each layer is
tetrahedral sheet: octahedral sheet
106
Which soil would have the greatest CEC?
15% organic matter and 20% clay
107
commonly used for clay pottery due to its low shrink/swell potential
kaolinite
108
pH dependent negative sites in silicate clays are caused by this
ionization of hydrogen
109
Neutralizable Acidity is a measurement of
Adsorbed hydrogens
110
The general range of soil pH where nutrient availability is maximum for plants
5.5-7.0
111
A pH of 5.0 has __________hydrogen ions than pH 6.0
10 times more
112
A non-expanding (does not shrink/swell) clay
illite
113
Is an organic colloid
Humus
114
the total exchangeable cations a soil can adsorb
cation exchange capacity
115
“Permanent or constant” negative sites of silicate clay structures arise from
Isomorphic substitution within the tetrahedral or octahedral sheets
116
2:1 non-expanding clay
Illite
117
pHw is a measurement of
Acidity in soil solution
118
Across the world, many people grow crops on acidic soils. A big problem that can occur for the plants growing on acidic soils is
aluminum toxicity
119
Which fertilizer contains both N and P
monoammonium phosphate
120
Bonus question (2pts) What is Milorganite?
biosolids from Milwauke WI
121
Another term for "humus"
stable organic matter
122
is applied as a calcium fertilizer but also used to stabilize soil structure
Gypsum
123
Organisms that create their own food from inorganic sources are
Autotrophs
124
Soil microbes use which mechanism to make nutrients available to plants?
Produce of enzymes
Alter the soil pH
Produce organic acids
Dissolve minerals
125
Calcitic Limestone is
Calcium carbonate
126
Dolomitic Limestone is
Calcium magnesium carbonate
127
The capacity to carry out a variety of biological processes describes what?
Functional diversity
128
The breakdown process of organic matter to a useable nutrient form is
Mineralization
129
Fungi in the soil that help symbiotic plants gain nutrients from the soil
mycorrhizae
130
What does ENM stand for? What two properties of lime are involved in determining the ENM value of the lime?
Effective neutralizable material (1pts). Purity (calcium carbonate equivalent) and size of the partilces/grind. (4pts)
131
Assume for a tomato crop you need to lime with calcitic limestone. The local limestone dealer has a source there with an ENM of 430 and a source with an EMG of 40. The soil test report suggests 520 ENM and 55 EMG. How much calcitic limestone should you apply in tons/acre? Show all work. Round to two decimal places. Include units in your answer.
Calcitic = ENM of soil test / ENM from dealer =520/430 = 1.21 tons/ acre
132
The process of microbes converting nitrogen gas (N2) from the atmosphere into compounds useable by plants is
Nitrogen fixation
133
The decomposition rate of soybean residue is much faster than corn stover because soyben residue has
a carbon to nitrogen ratio less than 25:1 (much more nitrogen)
134
How much of 0-46-0 fertilizer would you apply to meet one of the nutrient requirements from a soil test report suggesting 55 pounds per acre N, 35 pounds per acre P2O5, and 45 pounds per acre K2O. Show all work. Round your answer to one decimal place. Include units in your answer.
lbs fert = lbs nutrient/% in decimal form
0-46-0 46 is your percent P2O5. Decimal form: 0.46
lbs fert = 35 lbs P2O5 / 0.46
76.1 lbs per acre fertilizer 0-46-0
135
A “complete” fertilizer
13-13-13
136
What is the difference between active organic matter and stable organic matter in soil?
active organic matter as the portion that is decomposing. (2pts) stable organic matter is the result of decomposition (can take many years and decades to form) (2pts)
137
is applied as a magnesium fertilizer
Epsom salt
138
If the %Mg saturation of a soil is 8.2% and you want to grow a hay crop for beef cattle (for animal consumption). The soil test report recommends applying limestone. What type of lime should you apply, calcitic or dolomitic? Explain your answer.
Hay crop is for animal consumption, so use the 10% Mg cutoff rule.(1pt) 8.3% is less than 10% so you need to add Mg (2pt). Add DOLOMITIC lime because it has Mg. (1pt)
139
A 10-20-30 fertilizer is equilavent to
20% by weight phosphate
140
What form of fertilizer does a plant prefer to take up? organic or mineral
plant does not prefer one source over the other, as long as the nutrient is in an available form in the soil
141
0-0-60
Murate of potash
142
In a 50 pound bag of 26-12-5 fertilizer, how many pounds of potash equivalent does it contain? Show all work. Round your answer to one decimal place. Include units in your answer
lbs of fert = lbs of nutrient / % of nutrient in decimal form
50= lbs K20 / 0.05
50*0.05=
2.5 lbs potash
143
The EMG stated on Missouri soil test reports is used to
Determine the dolomitic limestone recommendation application rate
144
Applications of limestone on soils will
increase the soil pHw
145
46-0-0
Urea
146
0-46-0
Triple super phosphate
147
micronutrient in a chelated form
Zn-EDTA
148
liquid N fertilizer that is injected as a liquid into the soil to decrease volatilization
Anhydrous ammonia
149
Makes up a majority (60-90%) of the total organic matter in the soil
stable organic matter
150
The most abundant nutrient added to cropland as fertilizer worldwide
Nitrogen
151
Jane would like to grow blueberries in her yard but knows she needs to make her soil more acidic. Which fertilizer could she apply to do this?
Elemental sulfur
152
82-0-0
Anhydrous ammonia
153
a source of potassium
Murate of potash
154
Which type of fertilizer will cause the soil pH to decrease, ammonium-based or nitrate-based? And, why does the soil pH decrease overtime?
ammonium based fertilizers decrease soil pH (1pt) Plant roots take up ammonium and release a H+ into the soil, decreasing soil pH (4pts)
155
What is the %Mg saturation of a soil with test results of the following: P = 25 lbs/A, K =298 lbs/A, Ca=2140 lbs/A, Mg=250 lbs/A, Organic matter = 2.2%, N.A.=1.0 meq/100g, CEC = 7.77 meq/100g? Show all work. Round to one decimal. Include units in your answer.
Correct
%Mg = lbs Mg/ 240 *100 / CEC
= (250/240)*100 / 7.77
= 13.4%Mg
156
What is not a role of soil organisms?
Soil erosion
157
A nitrogen fertilizer that often has losses from volatilization if unproperly applied
Urea
158
The following land capability classes are recommended for cultivation according to the USDA Land Classification System
Classes 1-4
159
An example of a soil phase
Hoberg silt loam, 1-5% slopes
160
What is the family of: Adelaide silt loam, 2 to 8 % slopes, a loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, shallow Cambidic Haplodurids
a loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, shallow Cambidic Haplodurids
161
The most generalized (least specific) category in Soil Taxonomy
Order
162
What is the subgroup of: Nard ashy loam, 25 to 45 percent north slopes, a fine-loamy, isotic, frigid Vitrandic Haploxeralf
Vitrandic Haploxeralf
163
The term for the system to classify soils based on measurable soil properties (morphological, chemical, mineralogical)
Soil Taxonomy
164
soils most likely found in Hawaii, due to being formed from volcanic ejecta
andisols
165
The official soil series of Missouri is
Menfro
166
What is the Order of: Adelaide silt loam, 2 to 8 % slopes, a loamy, mixed, superactive, mesic, shallow Cambidic Haplodurids
aridisol
167
A soil that was recently deposited during a flood event, such as along the Missouri River floodplain, would be a
Entisol
168
Histosols have this epipedon, very high in organic content
histic
169
Which soil has a Great Group describing "no distinquishing features"?
Cedargap very gravelly loam, 1 to 3% slopes, occasionally flooded, a loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, hyperthermic, Cumulic Hapludolls
170
In Missouri soil surveys, the soil map uses this taxonomic group as map units
Phase
171
A surface diagnostic horizon high in organic matter like a mollic, but low in base saturation (less than 50%)
umbric
172
What is the Order of: Owyhigh-Ipsut-Tipsoo complex, 25 to 100 percent slopes, a medial, glassy Andic Haplocryods
spodosol
173
synonymous with the term polypedon; consists of soils that are similar in profile characteristics such as color, texture, and structure
Soil series
174
An example of a soil with a mean annual temperature of 15-22 degrees Celsius (common to southern Missouri)
a clayey, mixed, active, thermic Typic Hapludults
175
The most specific category in Soil Taxonomy
Series
176
a mapping unit used in detailed soil surveys where two or more taxonomic units are so intermixed that it is impractical to separate them
Soil complex
177
Which soil is most likely the youngest, least weathered and developed (considering the Order of each soil)
Cedar loam, 0 to 2% slopes, occasionally flooded, a loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, hyperthermic, Cumulic Haplaquent
178
An example of a soil with a mean annual temperature of greater than 22 degrees Celsius (common to tropical climates)
a fine-loamy, siliceous, superactive, hyperthermic Aquic Hapludalfs
179
a three-dimensional volume of soil extending from the surface downward to the depth of plant roots; the smallest unit that is called a “soil”
Pedon
180
If your land has a Capability Class of ________, you should not crop it and only leave it for wildlife habitat
Class 8
181
Which soil has a Great Group describing "old land surfaces"?
Moniteau silt loam, 1 to 3 % slopes, rarely flooded, a fine-silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic Paleaquult
182
a grouping of soils found together in a geographical area that consists of 2 or more soil series
Soil association
183
the term for diagnostic horizons that occur at the soil surface (surface diagnostic horizon such as mollic or umbric)
Epipedons
184
A soil containing a fragipan subsurface diagnostic horizon would have the genetic horizon
Bx
185
A subsurface diagnostic horizon that oxisols must contain
Oxic
186
A soil containing an argillic subsurface diagnostic horizon would have the genetic horizon
Bt
187
Which soil is under humid climates (identified by the suborder prefix)
Alsup cobbly silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes, a fine, mixed, active, mesic Typic Fragiudalf
188
The Land Capability Subclass that is limited for production due to a susceptibility to erosion
3e
189
Eventhough it can get cold here in Missouri, these soils are not found in MIssouri. They contain permafrost
gelisols
190
What is the suborder of: Alsup cobbly silt loam, 8 to 15% slopes, a fine, mixed, active, mesic Oxyaquic Fragiudalf
Udalf
191
What is the series of: Nard ashy loam, 25 to 45 percent north slopes, a fine-loamy, isotic, frigid Vitrandic Haploxeralf
Nard
192
a diagnostic subsurface horizon of silicate clay accumulation
argillic
193
The farmland classification that designates a soil as not the best combination of characteristics for crop production, but is used for the production of specific high-value food and fiber crops (such as vineyards in Missouri)
unique farmland
194
What is the greatgroup of: Nard ashy loam, 25 to 45 percent north slopes, a fine-loamy, isotic, frigid Vitrandic Haploxeralf
Haploxeralf
195
Of the soils listed, these would be considered the most weathered and acidic
ultisols
196
Karls Hall was built on
Creldon silt loam
197
Which soil order is NOT found in Missouri?
Aridisol
