Soils

Question 1

soil

Answer 1

naturally occurring mixture of mineral and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition

Question 2

Factors that affect the development of soil (5)

Answer 2

parent material
Climate
Living organisms
Landscape position
Time

Question 3

Soil Horizons

Answer 3

soil layers that differ from the overlying
and underlying layers in some property

Question 4

The two most commonly used properties to differentiate between soil horizons are

Answer 4

Color and Texture

Question 5

color of the soil is measured useing

Answer 5

The Munsell color system

Question 6

Hue

Answer 6

indicates the colors relation to Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple

Question 7

value

Answer 7

indicates the color lightness (y-axis)

Question 8

Chroma

Answer 8

indicates the color strength (x-axis)

Question 9

sand

Answer 9

grains are 2 – 0.05 mm (Largest)

Question 10

silt

Answer 10

grains are 0.05 – 0.005mm
(smaller)

Question 11

clay

Answer 11

grains are < 0.002 m (smallest)

Question 12

ribbion test

Answer 12

determine soil texture

Question 13

sandy soils

Answer 13

contain > 85% sand-sized particles; very gritty; more air and water movement

Question 14

clay soils

Answer 14

 50% clay- size particles; very smooth; heavy and hold a lot of water

Question 15

Loamy soils

Answer 15

contain a balance of sand, silt, and clay;
slightly gritty water holding capacity and fertility

Question 16

Nitrogen soil nutrients

Answer 16

Directly responsible for producing leaf growth and green leaves.
to little –> yellow leaves
to much—> lots of leaves but deladed flowering.

Question 17

Phosphorus soil nutrients

Answer 17

Aids plant maturity and resistance to disease and winterkill. helps seeds, fruit, and vitamin content.
too little –> stunted growth and seed sterility.

Question 18

Potassium soil nutrients

Answer 18

improves color and flavor. Aids early growth, stem strength, and cold
hardiness.
too little –> spotted, curly, dried out leaves.

Question 19

pH

Answer 19

measure of acidity or alkalineity of the soil.
ideal range of 5.5 to 8.0
Controls how well plants utilize the nutrients available in soil