Ch. 5 Tree Nutrition and Fertilization Flashcards
(33 cards)
atmospheric deposition
the movement of particles, gases, and nutrients from the air to earth by settling (dry particles) or with precipitation (wet).
cation exchange capacity (CEC)
ability of a soil to adsorb and hold cations. Affected by soil pH and particle size. A measure of soil fertility and clay composition
chelates
chemical compounds that keep plant nutrients - usually iron (Fe) - soluble and available for plant absorption over a broad range of pH.
chlorosis
whitish or yellowish leaf discoloration caused by lack of chlorophyll. Often caused by nutrient deficiency.
complete fertilizer
fertilizer containing the three primary elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
controlled-release nitrogen (CRN)
fertilizer that releases nitrogen gradually into the soil
decomposition
breakdown or separation of a substance into simpler substances
drill-hole fertilization
applying fertilizer by drilling holes in
the soil within the root zone
essential elements
minerals essential to the growth and development of trees. These minerals are essential because plants cannot complete their life cycle without them
fertilizer analysis
composition of a fertilizer, expressed as a percentage by weight of total nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O2), soluble potash (K2O), and other nutrients
fertilizer burn
injury to a plant resulting from excess fertilizer salts in the surrounding soil
fertilizer ratio
ratio of total nitrogen (N), available phosphoric acid (P2O5), and soluble potash (K2O), expressed as percentages of total fertilizer weight; for example, the ratio of a 30-10-10 fertilizer is 3:1:1
foliar analysis
laboratory analysis of the mineral content of foliage
foliar application
applying a fertilizer, pesticide, or other substance to foliage
implant
(1) device, capsule, or pellet inserted into the tree’s xylem system to treat or prevent diseases, disorders, or pest problems. Requires a relatively large diameter and deep hole in the trunk. (2) a microchip device implanted into a tree and containing information about the tree that can be retrieved and updated by a compatible chip reader.
injection
injection of a liquid substance into a plant or soil
inorganic
compound or substance not containing carbon or not containing organic material
internal cycling
recycling of essential elements (sometimes called nutrients) within a plant for use in other plant parts.
leaching
(1) tendency for elements or compounds to wash down through and/or out of the soil. (2) tendency for elements or compounds to wash into the soil.
liquid injection fertilization
applying liquid formulations of fertilizer by injection into the root zone of a tree or by application to soil surface or to foliage.
macronutrient
essential element that is required by plants in relatively large quantities, such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S), magnesium and calcium
micronutrient
essential element that is required by plants in relatively small quantities, such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and boron (B).
nitrogen fixation
process by which molecular nitrogen in the air is converted into ammonium, nitrites, or nitrates in the soil, making it available for uptake by plants.
nutrient deficiency
condition in which the supply or availability of an essential element causes cessation of critical plant processes, resulting in visible symptoms such as chlorotic leaves or necrotic margins, and which, if left untreated, will reduce tree health and may eventually lead to premature death.
