Spatial and temporal soil organisms Flashcards
Chloroform fumigation extraction
In this method, soils are exposed to chloroform vapor for 24 h or longer to lyse the microbial cells Then fumigated & non-fumigated controls are extracted with 0.5 M K2SO4.
Surface induced respiration
Substrate-induced respiration (SIR) consists in the measurement of microbial respiration of samples
after amending them with an excess of a readily nutrient source, usually glucose, to trigger microbial activity.
Phospholipid fatty acid analysis
PLFA profiling is a technique for assessing soil biotic diversity based on the variability of fatty acids present in cell membranes of different organisms.
Xenobiotic
A substance found in an organism/place/medium that is not normally produced or expected to be present in it (Unwanted substance).
Aglycon
Aglycons are precursor of toxic substances which cause soil sickness. They are the compounds remaining after the glycosyl group on a glycoside is replaced by a hydrogen atom
Hyperparasitism
A condition in which a secondary parasite develops within a previously existing parasite.
Proteolytic
Proteolytic help in digestion and catabolism of proteins.
Soil sealing
Soil sealing or soil surface sealing is the loss of soil resources due to the covering of land for housing, roads or other construction work.
Habitat fragmentation
A process during which a large expanse of habitat is transformed into a number of smaller patches of smaller total area isolated from each other e.g., fire or volcanic eruptions or construction of roads.
Soil biodiversity
Soil biodiversity is the variability of living organisms in soil & ecological complexes (e.g.,
diversity within species, between species & of ecosystems).
Genetic diversity
Genetic diversity is the combination of different genes found within a population of a single species, & pattern of variation found within different populations of same species.
Phenotypic diversity
Phenotypic diversity is based on any and/or all of morphological, biochemical or physiological aspects of organism in soil (variation could be due to genetic & environmental factors).
Functional diversity
Functional diversity is variety of functions performed by soil biota (e.g., nitrification & litter decomposition).
Biochar
Charcoal produced from plant matter and stored in the soil as a means of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Detritivores
Detritivores are heterotrophs that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plants & animals parts.
Soil quality
Capacity of a soil to function within ecosystem boundaries to sustain biological productivity, maintain environmental quality & promote plant & animal health.
Productivity
Ability of soil to enhance plant & biological productivity.
Environmental quality
Ability of soil to attenuate environmental contaminants, pathogens & offsite damage.
Biodynamic farming
Biodynamic is a form of farming that involve the use of manures and composts without synthetic or artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides on soil and plants.
Biodynamic preparation
Biodynamic preparations consist of selected plant & animal substances that undergo fermentation for a year & are then used to enhance compost & manure used in the farming operation.
Cover crops
Cover crops are known to control disease-causing organisms through competition for resources & space, control of soil micronutrient status & alteration of root growth.
Classical biological control
Classical biological control involves collecting organisms pathogenic to pest from locations where a pest originated & then releasing them in infected area to control pest.
Augmentation
Augmentation is a method of adding/increasing the population of a natural enemy that attacks a pest.
Soil solarization
Use of plastic sheet to increase temperature.
