Soil Flashcards
(17 cards)
Name the 3 types of soil
Sandy
Loam
Clay
Advantages of clay soil
Holds nutrients well
Is not prone to leaching
Disadvantages of clay soil
Hard to work with
Water logging
Slow to warm up
Poor drainage
Advantages of sandy soil
Easy to work with
Quick to heat up
Good drainage
Disadvantages of sandy soil
Prone to erosion
Prone to leaching
Frequent irrigation needed
Can blow away in wind
Considerations of loam
Prone to compaction and sometimes leaching
Sandy soil
Consists of large particles with a loose gritty texture and large gaps between particles
Advantages of loam
Ideal for plant growth
Good nutrient holding capacity
Versatile
Easy to work with
Loam
A balanced mix of sand, silt and clay that has a medium texture making it ideal for plant growth
Clay soil
Made of very fine particles that are slightly packed together. Results in a smooth texture
What is soil pH?
A measure of acidity/alkalinity of soil
Soil pH is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil.
What factors does soil pH influence?
- Nutrient availability
- Soil health
- Microbial activity
- Plant growth
- Soil erosion
Changes in soil pH can lead to variations in crop yield.
What is acidic soil caused by?
- Heavy rainfall
- Leaching of nutrients
- Ammonium-based fertilizers
- Decomposition of organic matter
- Removal of plant and animal products
Acidic soil can be detrimental to plant health.
What are the effects of acidic soil?
- Nutrient deficiency
- Root damage
- Decreased microbial activity
These effects can hinder plant growth and productivity.
What are some methods to test soil pH?
- pH kits
- pH meters
- Laboratory analysis
Regular testing helps in managing soil health effectively.
What actions can be taken to improve soil pH?
- Lime application
- Addition of organic matter
- Avoiding acidic fertilizers
- Crop rotation
- Pasture management
These practices can help to neutralize soil acidity.
Fill in the blank: Soil pH is determined by the concentration of _______.
hydrogen ions
