Soil Trial Test

Question 0

What is soil texture?

Answer 0

It is the relative proportions of sand, silt and clay in soil

Question 1

Why is clay important or soil?

Answer 1

It provides a reservoir for water and plant nutrients

Question 2

What is a field texture assessment?

Answer 2

It’s based on the ‘feel’ of a soil and it’s response to certain simple tests.

Question 3

Why are loamy soils generally ideal under a wide range of conditions?

Answer 3

The mixed particle sizes allows a good balance of soil air and water.

Question 4

Why does a loamy soil usually hold more water than a sandy soil?

Answer 4

Because of its clay content

Question 5

What do sandy soils tend to exhibit?

Answer 5

Good drainage

Question 6

Will the addition of decomposed organic matter affect soils texture?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

What does the soil texture assessment test determine?

Answer 7

Clay content, drainage, water holding capacity

Question 8

What soil texture won’t be affected my heavy pedestrian traffic?

Answer 8

Coarse textured soils

Question 9

Give an example of a group of soil textures that are most likely to have an apedal structure.

Answer 9

Loamy sands, sands, sandy loams

Question 10

What is the most desirable ped type in an aggregated topsoil?

Answer 10

Granular or crumb

Question 11

A fine textured soil that has good tilth has…

Answer 11

A granular structure, good aeration, good drainage and good water holding abilities.

Question 12

What is soil structure?

Answer 12

The size, shape and arrangement of soil peds and the pore spaces between them.

Question 13

Fine textures soils that have a high concentration of Na (sodium) ions are…

Answer 13

Likely to disperse easily.

Question 14

What are the a and b horizons collectively called?

Answer 14

Solum

Question 15

In a soil profile, what material does the c1 horizon contain?

Answer 15

Weathered parent material.

Question 16

In a soil profile, what could assist in good drainage?

Answer 16

The absence of a finer textured layer of soil on top of a coarser layer.

Question 17

What type of water is most available to plants at field capacity?

Answer 17

Capillary water

Question 18

In a soil profile what does the colour rich brown indicate?

Answer 18

High in O.M

Question 19

In a soil profile what does the colour red indicate?

Answer 19

Good aeration and drainage

Question 20

In a soil profile what does the colour grey/orange mottling indicate?

Answer 20

Temporary water logging

Question 21

In a soil profile what does the colour light grey indicate?

Answer 21

Saturated

Question 22

What is a ‘Capillary Fringe’?

Answer 22

It’s subsurface layer in which groundwater seeps up from a water table

Question 23

Can capillary water be removed by ag pipe?

Answer 23

No

Question 24

What can be the result of a finer textured layer of soil on top of a coarser layer?

Answer 24

A capillary fringe

Question 25

How can a capillary fringe be beneficial?

Answer 25

If deep enough below the surface if can aid the hydration of plants.

Question 26

What is the term used to describe the movement, in water, of nutrients and fine particles downwards into the soil?

Answer 26

Leeching

Question 27

What is the term used to describe the % of water remaining in the root zone after the soil has been saturated and free drainage has ceased?

Answer 27

Field capacity

Question 28

What is the term used to describe the type of water remaining in soil after it has dried out?

Answer 28

Hydroscopic

Question 29

The type of water which drains from a soil soon after rain or irrigation.

Answer 29

Gravitational

Question 30

What is the term used when all pore spaces in a growing media are occupied by water?

Answer 30

Saturation

Question 31

Soil water is usually held in the __________ pores.

Answer 31

Micro

Question 32

In a aggregated stability test, what is meant by a stable ped?

Answer 32

When a ped stays together in distilled water and nothing happens. (ideal soil)

Question 33

In a aggregated stability test, what is slaking and how can you treat it?

Answer 33

When a ped falls apart and water is clear. Treat with O.M

Question 34

In a aggregated stability test, what is a dispersive soil and how can you treat it?

Answer 34

When a ped falls apart and clouds the water. Treat with Gypsum (Calcium Sulphate)

Question 35

What drainage problem occurs when a layer of fine textured soil sits on top of a courser layer?

Answer 35

Perched water table

Question 36

What is the term used when water fails to infiltrate a sandy soil?

Answer 36

Hydrophobic sand

Question 37

What does a wetting agent do?

Answer 37

It is used to improve a soils ability to accept water.

Question 38

What horizon do most plants grow?

Answer 38

A horizon

Question 39

Is capillary water available to plants?

Answer 39

Yes

Question 40

What is tilth?

Answer 40

The physical condition of a soil.