Spatial and temporal soil organisms

Question 1

Chloroform fumigation extraction

Answer 1

In this method, soils are exposed to chloroform vapor for 24 h or longer to lyse the microbial cells Then fumigated & non-fumigated controls are extracted with 0.5 M K2SO4.

Question 2

Surface induced respiration

Answer 2

Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) consists in the measurement of microbial respiration of samples
after amending them with an excess of a readily nutrient source, usually glucose, to trigger microbial activity.

Question 3

Phospholipid fatty acid analysis

Answer 3

PLFA profiling is a technique for assessing soil biotic diversity based on the variability of fatty acids present in cell membranes of different organisms.

Question 4

Xenobiotic

Answer 4

A substance found in an organism/place/medium that is not normally produced or expected to be present in it (Unwanted substance).

Question 5

Aglycon

Answer 5

Aglycons are precursor of toxic substances which cause soil sickness. They are the compounds remaining after the glycosyl group on a glycoside is replaced by a hydrogen atom

Question 6

Hyperparasitism

Answer 6

A condition in which a secondary parasite develops within a previously existing parasite.

Question 7

Proteolytic

Answer 7

Proteolytic help in digestion and catabolism of proteins.

Question 8

Soil sealing

Answer 8

Soil sealing or soil surface sealing is the loss of soil resources due to the covering of land for housing, roads or other construction work.

Question 9

Habitat fragmentation

Answer 9

A process during which a large expanse of habitat is transformed into a number of smaller patches of smaller total area isolated from each other e.g., fire or volcanic eruptions or construction of roads.

Question 10

Soil biodiversity

Answer 10

Soil biodiversity is the variability of living organisms in soil & ecological complexes (e.g.,
diversity within species, between species & of ecosystems).

Question 11

Genetic diversity

Answer 11

Genetic diversity is the combination of different genes found within a population of a single species, & pattern of variation found within different populations of same species.

Question 12

Phenotypic diversity

Answer 12

Phenotypic diversity is based on any and/or all of morphological, biochemical or physiological aspects of organism in soil (variation could be due to genetic & environmental factors).

Question 13

Functional diversity

Answer 13

Functional diversity is variety of functions performed by soil biota (e.g., nitrification & litter decomposition).

Question 14

Biochar

Answer 14

Charcoal produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Question 15

Detritivores

Answer 15

Detritivores are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plants & animals parts.

Question 16

Soil quality

Answer 16

Capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality & promote plant & animal health.

Question 17

Productivity

Answer 17

Ability of soil to enhance plant & biological productivity.

Question 18

Environmental quality

Answer 18

Ability of soil to attenuate environmental contaminants, pathogens & offsite damage.

Question 19

Biodynamic farming

Answer 19

Biodynamic is a form of farming that involve the use of manures and composts without synthetic or artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides on soil and plants.

Question 20

Biodynamic preparation

Answer 20

Biodynamic preparations consist of selected plant & animal substances that undergo fermentation for a year & are then used to enhance compost & manure used in the farming operation.

Question 21

Cover crops

Answer 21

Cover crops are known to control disease-causing organisms through competition for resources & space, control of soil micronutrient status & alteration of root growth.

Question 22

Classical biological control

Answer 22

Classical biological control involves collecting organisms pathogenic to pest from locations where a pest originated & then releasing them in infected area to control pest.

Question 23

Augmentation

Answer 23

Augmentation is a method of adding/increasing the population of a natural enemy that attacks a pest.

Question 24

Soil solarization

Answer 24

Use of plastic sheet to increase temperature.