Soils

Question 1

Clay

Answer 1

Fine small particles, Small pore space

Question 2

Silt

Answer 2

Medium sized particles, medium sized pores

Question 3

Sand

Answer 3

Large sized particles, Large sized pores

Question 4

Compost

Answer 4

Decayed Organic Matter. Provides nutrients for plants and is a dark colour

Question 5

Crop Rotation

Answer 5

Planting different crops in a paddock in a specific order to improve soil structure, nutrient status and disease/pest status. Does not have to be yearly.

Question 6

Crop Rotation order

Answer 6

Leafy, Fruit, Root, Legume

Question 7

Biological properties

Answer 7

Disease/pest status of the soil and the Macro/micro organisms that are found in it.

Question 8

Earthworms

Answer 8

Tunneling improves soil structure and they break down organic matter improving nutrient status

Question 9

Nutrient status

Answer 9

The different types of nutrients found in the soil and their amounts

Question 10

Soil Structure

Answer 10

The size of pore spaces including organic matter that influences the aeration/drainage of a soil and its texture.

Question 11

Mineral Matter

Answer 11

What the soil is made up of e.g. sand, silt and clay

Question 12

Physical Properties

Answer 12

The colour, temperature, aeration, compaction and drainage in relation to soil pore spaces

Question 13

Drainage

Answer 13

How well a soil drains water. Is dependent on the pore spaces and how large soil particles are. Also influences the soil temperature as water keeps soil cold.

Question 14

Aeration

Answer 14

How much air (including Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide) is in the soil. Affects Root respiration, soil organisms ability to survive and how fast a soil heats up as air heats up quicker than water.

Question 15

Soil Temperature

Answer 15

The temperature of the soil influenced by how much water or air is in the soil pore spaces. Increases the rate of germination and root respiration if warm or slows it down if cold.

Question 16

Chemical Properties

Answer 16

The nutrient status, Nutrient retention and the pH of the soil

Question 17

Nutrient Status

Answer 17

What nutrients are found in the soil for plat growth and their amounts.

Question 18

Soil pH

Answer 18

The acidity or alkalinity of the soil. Affects living organisms and what nutrients are available to be taken up by the plants.

Question 19

Lime

Answer 19

Causes flocculation in clay soil. Raises the pH of soil making it more basic or alkaline. Should be used on acidic soil to nutralise it.

Question 20

Fertilsier

Answer 20

Nutrients applies to soil/plants in either a solid or liquid form.

Question 21

Irrigation

Answer 21

Application of water to grow plants. Centre-Pivots, K-Line,Guns, Boarder Dykes.

Question 22

Cultivation

Answer 22

Turning over the top of soil by a tool towed behind machinery

Question 23

Flocculation

Answer 23

Where tightly packed clay particles bind to lime pulling them apart increasing pore spaces

Question 24

Photosynthesis

Answer 24

The Process where plants turn light into glucose for growth. Carbon dioxide + water + Light –> Glucose + Oxygen

Question 25

Effluent

Answer 25

Diluted animal manure applied to pastures as an organic fertiliser

Question 26

Solid fertiliser

Answer 26

Slow releasing fertiliser that needs to be dissolved in water/rain on the paddock

Question 27

Liquid Fertiliser

Answer 27

Quick release fertilizer as already dissolved. At risk of burning plants due to higher concentration.

Question 28

Organic Matter

Answer 28

Dead plant or animal material that is broken down and turned into humas

Question 29

Water holding capacity

Answer 29

How much water can be held in the soil before it becomes water logged.

Question 30

Nutrient retention

Answer 30

How well a soil holds nutrients. Clay and silt hold nutrients well.

Question 31

Disease status

Answer 31

What diseases are present in the soil

Question 32

Minimum tillage

Answer 32

Turning over the very top few centimeters of the soil, reducing disturbance

Question 33

Mulch

Answer 33

Material around the base of a plant to prevent weeds, help warm up the soil if dark or help reflect light if light coloured.

Question 34

Legume

Answer 34

Plants that put nitrogen into the soil. e.g. Clover and Lucerne

Question 35

Nitrogen

Answer 35

Increases Chlorophyll the pigment that absorbs light in the leaves. Increases the rate pf photosynthesis.

Question 36

Potassium.

Answer 36

Increases fruit and flower growth. Helps to prevent diseases

Question 37

Phosphorus

Answer 37

Increases root growth. Meaning more water and nutrients can be absorbed by the plant for growth.

Question 38

NPK

Answer 38

The three essential nutrients for plant growth.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium

Question 39

Humas

Answer 39

Decaying organic matter that is a dark colour. Provides nutrients to plants

Question 40

Tilth

Answer 40

Physical condition of soil especially in relation to its suitability or growing plants

Question 41

Pan

Answer 41

A hard layer that forms on the top of soil due to compaction. Prevents roots and water getting through the soil.

Question 42

Pugging

Answer 42

Caused by too much water in the soil. Destroys plants and the soil structure making a muddy paddock.

Question 43

Primary Cultivation

Answer 43

The 15-75 cm deep. Normally done by a plow, harrow or rotary cultivator

Question 44

Secondary Cultivation

Answer 44

Is cultivation of the first 5-15cm of soil. Includes direct drilling and some ploughing

Question 45

Mole Drains

Answer 45

Made with a mole plow through the soil creating an underground tunnel. Needs to be redone every so often as they will collapse.

Question 46

Pope Drains

Answer 46

Pipe drains are permanent plastic pipes that have holes in the top allowing the water to drain into them.

Question 47

Raised Garden Bed

Answer 47

garden beds raised off the ground to improve drainage and aeration among other things