Soil Fertility

Question 1

Define soil fertility

Answer 1

Ability of soil to sustain plant growth

Question 2

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• Water Content

Answer 2

+ Good drainage so it’s not waterlogged but still supports life

— rapid drainage or waterlogged

Question 3

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• Soluble materials

Answer 3

+ Contains and macro and micronutrients

— Toxic ions and heavy metals absorbed

Question 4

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• Air content

Answer 4

+ aerobic; produces soil biota

— anaerobic

Question 5

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• Dead Organic Matter

Answer 5

+ High DOM: increases plant nutrients, water rentention and food for soil biota

— low DOM

Question 6

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• pH

Answer 6

+ 5.5-7 within range of tolerance

— Acidic = more leaching of nutrients
Alkaline = phosphate is insoluble

Question 7

Describe Fertile/Infertile soil
• Soil structure

Answer 7

+ Crumb pads are small and round
—> good aeration, drainage and root
preservation

— Platy peds are large and flat
—> reduces aeration, drainage and
root preservation