Soil problems and Management Flashcards
Name the 4 soil problems
Soil erosion, Water logging, Salinisation, Structural deterioration
Cause of Salinisation
Accumulation of salt in soil
natural= low rain, high temps= water evaporates and leaves behind dissolved salts, sea level change draws salt water in soil
Impacts of Salinisation
poor drainage=water logging
lower agricultural productivity-inhibits osmosis (water from soil to plant)- hard to absorb water and grow
cotton/sugar are more tolerant to high salt levels
Solution to Salinisation
Flush soil with lots of water-impacts rivers and groundwater
adjust amount of water entering and leaving soil- make sure its moving in downwards direction
lower water table- less evaporation
Cause of Water logging
Ground gets saturated ad can’t absorb any more water
insufficient air for plants to respire
Impacts of Water logging
15% of wheat production lost each year
Solution to Water logging
Drainage channels
Cause of Structural deterioration
Losing the pores in the soil:
Soil compaction-heavy machinery
Prolonged wet conditions(clay particles expand-removes pore spaces)
Agrochemicals gets rid of soil biota (keeps pores)
Solution to Structural deterioration
Avoid using heavy machinery, increase vegetation (organic matter produced-soil particles combine together)
Cause of Soil erosion
gradual process water, wind, etc. slowly deteriorate soil
human= overgrazing
Impacts of Soil erosion
Deforestation Water goes into footpaths hydrological systems-rivers- affected flood hazard risk los of topsoil- less ferile-less growth- need more fertiliser-higher costs
Solution to Soil erosion
Farmers need to be educated
Tree shelter belts
Barren land planted with grass
name 5 soil management techniques
crop rotation, windbreaks, terracing, mulching, contour ploughing
what is crop rotation?
cover crops maintain soil until main crop sown
What are windbreaks?
hedges/trees planted as barriers around field
