Topic 5 Flashcards
soil texture triangle
illustration of the differences in the composition of soils
translocation
when materials are sorted and layers are formed by water carrying particles either up or down
salinization
when water from the surface soil is evaporated and water from lower layers moves up, dissolving minerals within the soil and bringing them along with it. after that water evaporates, the minerals are left behind at the surface and increase the soil’s salinity
leaching
in colder and wetter climates, this is when water flows down in the soil, dissolving minerals, and transporting them downwards
o horizon
uppermost layer of soil with organic materials in which decomposition occurs via fungi and bacteria
a horizon/humus layer
second layer of soil where humus builds up, containing partially decomposed materials and fine mineral particles
b horizon
third layer of soil in which soluble materials and organic materials gather, including clay and salts
c horizon
fourth layer of sediment composed of the weathered rock from which the soil is made
r horizon
parent material (ie bedrock)
porosity
amount of space between particles
permeability
ease at which gas and liquid can pass through the soil
NPK
nutrients found mainly in soil (nitrates, phosphates, and potassium)
LEDC
(less economically developed country) with low to moderate industrialization and average GNP per capita
MEDC
(more economically developed country) highly industrialized country with high average GNP per capita
agribusiness
business of agricultural production, including farming, seed supply, breeding, chemicals for agriculture, machinery, food harvesting, distribution, processing, and storage
commercial agriculture
large scale production of crops and livestock for sale
subsistence agriculture
farming for self-sufficiency to grow enough for a family or local community
cash cropping
growing crops for market, rather than oneself
extensive farming
using more land with lower density of crops with lower inputs, leading to lower outputs
intensive farming
more intensive use of land with high inputs and outputs per unit area
pastoral farming
raising animals on land that is usually not suitable for crops
arable farming
growing crops on good soil to eat directly or feed to animals
mixed farming
farming using both crops and animals, and is a system where animal waste is used as fertilizer for the crops and to improve soil structure. some crops are fed to animals
undernourishment
when people don’t get enough energy from their food
unbalanced diet
food contains enough energy but not enough essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and certain minerals
grain equivalent
the quantity of wheat grain that would be used to produce one kg of the product
