Soil physical properties Flashcards
1
Q
sand group
A
loamy sand, loamy fine sand
- at least 70% sand
- <15% clay
2
Q
clay group
A
sandy clay, silty clay
- at least 30% clay
3
Q
loam group
A
- even mixture of sand, silt and clay
- best combination for physical (a chemical) properties
4
Q
Sand group advantages
A
- good drainage
- easy cultivation
- quick to warm up in the spring
5
Q
Sand group problems
A
- poor water retention for plant use
- poor nutrient supply
- poor ability to hold applied nutrients
6
Q
Clay group advantages
A
- good nutrient supply & retention
- medium water retention for plant use
7
Q
Clay group problems
A
- poor drainage
- cultivation restricted to a narrow range of water content and has high power requirement
- easily puddled when wet
- slow to warm up in he spring
8
Q
Loam group advantages
A
- well drained
- good water retention for plant use
- good nutrient supply
- easy to cultivate over a wide range of water content
9
Q
Loam group problems
A
some are structurally weak and prone to erosion
10
Q
soil structure determines
A
- size
- shape
- distribution of pores both within and between the aggregates
11
Q
soil structure develop through
A
- natural processes during soil formation, often by management
12
Q
soil strucure influences
A
- water movement
- aeration
- heat supply
13
Q
soils structure types
A
- plate like (platey)
- prism like (prismatic & columnar)
- block like (blocky & subangular blocky)
- spheroidal (granular & crumb)
14
Q
pores are need for …
A
- water storage
- drainage
- oxygen entry
- carbon dioxide removal
- root penetration
- mechanical strength
15
Q
Processes involved in the development of soil structure
A
development of cracks and channels along planes of weakness through:
- shrinkage and swelling, caused by drying/wetting and freezing/thawing cycles during soil formation
- root and soil animal actions