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Plant & Soil

Terms in this set (42)

aggregates
formed by soil particles clinging together to create larger particles of various sizes and shapes aggregates
alluvial soil
soil deposited by water alluvial soil
capillary water
water held between soil particles against the force of gravity capillary
clay
smallest inorganic particles in the soil clay
decomposition
process by which organic matter is broken down to form soil decomposition
glacial soil
soil created, moved, and deposited by glaciers glacial soil
gravitational water
water pulled downward in soil by the force of gravity; may reach aquifers gravitational water
horizon
layers of soil in soil profile with different characteristics horizon
humus
organic matter that has reached on advanced stage of decomposition humus
hygroscopic water
water that forms a thin film around soil particles and is not available to plants. hygroscopic water
infiltration
process of water soaking into the soil infiltration
leaching
loss of nutrients that dissolve in gravitational water and move through or out of the soil leaching
loess
soil moved and deposited by wind loess
mineral matter
inorganic material in the soil mineral matter
organic matter
decayed or partially decayed remains of plants and animals found in the soil organic matter
peds
clusters of soil particles that contribute to soil structure pends
percolation
downward movement of water in the soil percolation
permeable
characteristic of quality soil that allows water movement by infiltration and percolation permeable
pore space
spaces in the soil between soil particles pore space
silt
middle-sized mineral particles in soil with good water and nutrient holding capacity silt
soil profile
cross section of soil, usually 3 to 4 feet deep soil profile
soil structure
the way soil aggregates arrange themselves; eight categories of structures are found. soil structure
soil texture
proportions of sand, silt, and clay in soil. soil texture
subsoil
the B horizon, or layer of soil below the top soil subsoil
tilth
ease with which soil is worked; soil condition relative to a good seedbed. tilth
topsoil
the A horizon or the top layer of soil topsoil
weathering
process by which rock is converted into soil weathering
adsorption
The process of binding or sticking to a surface. adsorption
anions
a negatively charged ion, i.e., one that would be attracted to the anode in electrolysis. anion
band application
spreading of chemicals over or next too rows of plants. Band application
broadcast
Disseminated far and wide. broadcast
cation
a positively charged ion, i.e., one that would be attracted to the cathode in electrolysis.
cation exchange capacity
total measure of exchangeable cations that a soil can hold. cation exchange capacity
fertilizer analysis
percentage of nutrients in fertilizer. fertilizer analysis
ion
electrically charged atoms. ions
nutrient cycle
recycling of essential elements used by plants. Nutrient cycle
organic fertilizer
originate as plant or animal tissue. organic fertilizer
side dressing
bands of fertilizers are applied alongside crops. Side dressing
soil fertility
refers to the ability of a soil to sustain agricultural plant growth. soil fertility
soil pH
A measure of the acidity of the soil. soil pH
soil test
a soil test commonly refers to the analysis of a soil sample to determine nutrient content. soil test
top dressing
fertilizer broadcasted over existing crop. Top dressing
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