Soil

Question 1

is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic particles and organic matter.

provides the structural support to plants used in agriculture and is also their source of water and nutrients.

Answer 1

Soil

Question 2

what are the different types of Soil?

Answer 2

Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Question 3

is soil that is comprised of very fine mineral particles and not much organic material.

Answer 3

Clay

Question 4

is light, warm, dry and tends to be acidic and low in nutrients.

Answer 4

Sand

Question 5

a solid, dust-like sediment that water, ice, and wind transport and deposit.

Answer 5

Silt

Question 6

is ideal for most garden plants

Answer 6

Loam

Question 7

How was soil formed?

Answer 7

It is formed by the combination of physical, chemical and biological processes in which huge rocks are broken down into smaller particles over a long period of time.

Question 8

It forms the foundation of terrestrial life on Earth.

Answer 8

Pedosphere

Question 9

is the upper layer of the topsoil which is mainly composed of organic

Answer 9

O horizon

Question 10

is rich in organic material and is known as the humus layer. Seed germination takes place in this layer.

Answer 10

A horizon/topsoil

Question 11

composed of nutrients leached from the O and A horizons

Answer 11

E horizon/eluviation

Question 12

the subsurface horizon, present just below the topsoil and above the bedrock. It is comparatively harder and more compact than topsoil.

Answer 12

B horizon/subsoil

Question 13

This layer is devoid of any organic matter and is made up of broken bedrock.

Answer 13

C horizon/ saprolite

Question 14

It is a compacted and cemented layer.

Answer 14

R horizon/ bedrock

Question 15

Layers of soil

Answer 15

O horizon
A horizon/top soil
E horizon/eluviation
B horizon/subsoil
C horizon/saprolite
R horizon/bedrock

Question 16

Soil is composed of…

Answer 16

45% mineral particles
5% organic matter
25% water
25% air

Question 17

Organic - animal manure, bone meal, compost (slow- acting, long-lasting)

Delay in availability to plants, needs time for the organic material to decompose

Delay causes low level of nutrient

Improves water holding capacity

Answer 17

Soil nutrients (NPK)

Question 18

Roles of soil nutrients

Answer 18

N- needed for production of amino acids/proteins; important for photosynthesis

P- important component of nucleic acids (transfer of genetic info) phosphoproteins and phospholipids.

K- enzyme activator that allows stomates to open and close and water vapor and oxygen to move in and out of plant cells

Question 19

Most soil ranges from 4 to 8

At a low pH, the aluminum and marn more manganese in soil water are the roots absorb them in toxic concentrations.

Certain mineral salts essential for plant

growth, such as calcium phosphate, less soluble and less to plant at a higher pH.

Answer 19

Soil pH

Question 20

volume of water that “fits between” the soil particles

Answer 20

Porosity

Question 21

rate of flow of water through soil

Answer 21

Permeability

Question 22

how much water is “trapped” by soil

Answer 22

% retention

Question 23

Porosity and Permeability are (directly or indirectly) related;

Answer 23

Directly

Question 24

refers to the contamination of soil with abnormal concentrations of toxic substances

Answer 24

Soil pollution

Question 25

What are the causes of soil pollution?

Answer 25

Manmade Natural pollutants

Question 26

Degradation of land in arid and semi-arid regions due drought and overgrazing. Results in loss of biodiversity and loss of productive capacity

Answer 26

Desertification

Question 27

Soil degradation caused by over irrigation: irrigated water contains salts that, when water evaporates are left behind

Answer 27

Salinization

Question 28

Problem associated with excessive irrigation on poorly drained soils where water can't penetrate deeply. When soils are water logged, air spaces in the soil are filled with water, and plant roots essentially suffocate - lack oxygen.

Answer 28

Water logging

Question 29

2 categories of soil degredation

Answer 29

Erosion Physical and chem deterioration

Question 30

is a set of farming techniques and practices to avoid degradation, erosion and depletion. Soil conservation methods target long-term use with a thought of the future. By taking proper and timely actions

Answer 30

Soil conservation

Question 31

This one of the methods using soil conservation that Roots of trees firmly hold on the soil making it stagnant and prevent soil erosion.

Answer 31

Tree planting

Question 32

A terrace is a leveled section of a hilly cultivated area. Terracing gives the landmass a stepped appearance thus slowing the washing down of soil

Answer 32

Terraces building

Question 33

Is a cultivation technique in which the soil is disturbed only along the slit or in the hole into which the seeds are planted

Answer 33

No tilt farming

Question 34

It is the method of plowing across the contour lines of a slope

Answer 34

Contour plowing

Question 35

is the practice of planting different crops sequentially on the same plot of land to improve soil health, optimize nutrients in the soil.

Answer 35

Crop rotation

Question 36

Soil pH is an indicator of the level of nutrients in soil. The uptake of nutrients by plants also depends on the pH of soil.

Answer 36

Maintaining soil pH

Question 37

Watering soil is a good measure of soil conservation.

Answer 37

Water the soil

Question 38

Managing salinity involves striking a balance between the volume of water entering (recharge) and leaving (discharge) the groundwater system

Answer 38

Salinity management

Question 39

Nitrogen-fixing and denitrifying bacteria are important constituents of the nitrogen cycle.

Answer 39

Promote helpful soil organisms

Question 40

Methods of soil conservation

Answer 40

Tree planting Terraces building No till farming Contour plowing Crop rotation Maintenance the soil pH Water the soil Salinity management Promote helpful soil organisms