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Agricultural Sciences > Soil Forming Processes > Flashcards

Soil Forming Processes Flashcards

1
Q

What are soil forming processes?

A

Are the ways in which soil forming factors combine to form soil

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2
Q

What is the difference between soil formation and weathering?

A

A soil forming processes is a building up process and weathering is a breaking down process.

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3
Q

What is mature, stable soil?

A

Soil that has developed horizons by natural soil forming processes

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4
Q

What happens in the O horizon

A

It is the first horizon
It contains humus

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5
Q

What happens in the A horizon

A

It is in the second layer
It is called topsoil
It is darker in colour
It contains many minerals

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6
Q

What happens in the E- horizons?

A

It is the third horizon
It is lighter in colour
Elluviation occurs here
Leaching occurs here
Contains aluminium and iron

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7
Q

What occurs in B-horizon

A

Illuviation takes place
Fourth horizon
It is named subsoil
Enriched with calcium carbonate

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8
Q

What occurs in C- horizons?

A

Just above the bedrock

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9
Q

What would have happened if particles of surface soil don’t match with bedrock?

A

The soil must have been blown away from its original place to another

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10
Q

Name factors influencing soil forming processes

A

Mineralization
Humification
Leaching
Luviation
Plinthite
Bioturbation
Inversion

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11
Q

What is mineralization?

A

Mineralization is the release of minerals from the soil by decomposition.

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12
Q

What are the 2 most important micro organisms in the mineralization process?

A

Bacteria and fungi

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13
Q

What is the function of bacteria and fungi in the mineralization process?

A

They break down simple organic matter into their simplest form or building block

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14
Q

What is humification?

A

Humification is the process whereby micro organisms produce humus through the decomposition process

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15
Q

Name 5 agents of humification

A

Bacteria, fungi, termites, earthworms and ants

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16
Q

What is the function of humus?

A

It binds the soil particles together

17
Q

What is Leaching?

A

Is it the process where soluble material is taken out of the soil in a solution

18
Q

Which soil is more prone to leaching?

A

Sandy soil, because water moves through it much faster

19
Q

What is percolation?

A

Liquid filtering through q substance

20
Q

What is Luviation

A

It is the downward movement of substances through the soil

21
Q

Name the two types of luviation

A

Elluviation
Illuviation

22
Q

What is Elluviation

A

Is the removal of organic and inorganic substances in the soil, is driven by the downward movement of water

23
Q

What is illuviation

A

Is it the downward movement of material, especially fine particles

24
Q

What does elluviation result in?

A

The development called podzols

25
Q

What is plinthite?

A

A horizon of oxidized iron that develops into the subsoil

26
Q

In what places is it prone to happen more?

A

Places that have fluctuating water tables

27
Q

How does iron in plinthite occur?

A

When soils become waterlogged, iron in the soil is reduced because of absence of air. When water tables decrease iron in the soil is oxidized. The iron is distributed randomly in the soil.

28
Q

What are the two types of plinthite?

A

Hard plinthite
Soft plinthite

29
Q

Differentiate between hard plinthite and soft plinthite

A

Soft plinthite is still permeable to rising water whereas Hard plinthite does not allow water to penetrate through it

30
Q

What is inversion?

A

Are soils that contain high inorganic content and very little organic content

31
Q

Where do inversions occur

A

In areas where the is distinct wet and dry seasons

32
Q

What are the properties of inversions?

A

Shrinking and swelling properties

33
Q

What is Bioturbation?

A

Is the result of disturbance caused by living organisms inside and outside sedimentary

34
Q

What is a cast

A

Material thrown out into the surface

35
Q

How does bioturbation occur

A

When organisms leaving in the soil cast out substances and bring in new organisms into the soil. This churns and mixes organisms in the soil.

Agricultural Sciences (3 decks)

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