Soils

Question 1

What does pH stand for?

Answer 1

Potential hydrogen

Question 2

Why is a soil test important?

Answer 2

Na

Question 3

Difference between soil texture and soil structure?

Answer 3

Thesoil structure isthe form of internal organization of thesoilaggregates and thesoil texturerefers to the percentage of the mineral componentsin thebody of thesoil.

Question 4

How is soil texture and structure important to plant growth?

Answer 4

Na

Question 5

Outline how conditions of the soil can affect plant growth

Answer 5

Na

Question 6

How soil pH affects growth rates of plants and how they can be amended?

Answer 6

Na

Question 7

3 ways in which organic matter can be beneficial to plant growth

Answer 7

Na

Question 8

List 3 forms of organic matter often applied to a garden

Answer 8

Na

Question 9

Explain the percentage of materials in a bag of 10/10/10 fertilizer

Answer 9

Na

Question 10

5 factors of soil formation

Answer 10

Climate
Biotic (living things) activities
Parent material (where rocks and soils are formed from)
Topography
Over Time

Question 11

Functions of soils

Answer 11

Food and fiber production.
Carbon cycling.
Atmosphere greenhouse gas removal.
Nutrient cycling.
Waste disposal.
Clay for pottery/bricks

Question 12

How long does it take for 1in of topsoil to form?

Answer 12

100-1000 years

Question 13

What are the 5 crucial ecological roles of soil? (The functions of soil)

Answer 13

1. Medium for plant growth.
2. Recycling system for nutrients and organic matter
3. Habitat for soil organisms (earthworms/animals)
4. System for water supply and purification
5. Engineering medium (residential or commercial buildings)

Question 14

What are the plant requirements supplied by soil?

Answer 14

Sunlight - none
Heat - some
Oxygen - some
Water - all
Nutrients - all
Mechanical support - all

Question 15

What good soil provides to plants?

Answer 15

Evenly distributed water. 
Oxygen for root respiration.
Oxygen for microbial activity.
Good pore structure so roots can grow freely and deeply. 
Nutrient supply.

Question 16

What is the 4 important components of soil characteristics?

Answer 16

1. Mineral matter 45%
2. Organic matter 5%
3. Air 25%
4. Water 25 %

Question 17

What is loam?

Answer 17

Considered the ultimate texture for growing good crops - Rich soil
Less than 52% sand
Between 7-27 % clay and the rest is silt.

Question 18

Soul structure is affected by

Answer 18

Tillage
Foot or vehicle traffic
Moisture level
Freezing and thawing
Root growth
And soil organisms