◦Describe physical biological of rocks
Caused by the process of growth of plant roots in the rock and movement of animal
◦Complete the sentence below.
◦The root of plants contain an ____________ that allows the charged ions to bind with them and be taken up for use within the plant
◦What pH is considered as acidic soil?
<7
◦What pH is considered as alkaline soil?
>7
- Little immediate impact in plants may already have a deficiency problem
◦Describe physical chemical of rocks
Caused by carbon dioxide in the air combined with water forming carbonic acid
And acid rain
◦What is the name of the mineral ion for phosphorus?
Phosphate ions (PO4 3-)
◦How does fungi break down dead matter?
-Fungi feeds directly on dead matter and are particularly good at breaking down tough materials
◦What is arable farming?
Farming that focuses on production of plants for humans
Name the four types of fertilisers
1. Organic
2. Inorganic
3. Slow release fertilisers
4. Fast release fertilisers
◦Describe physical weathering of rocks
Rocks are broken down into smaller pieces caused by frost, heat, water and ice and wind
◦What is the name of the mineral ion for potassium?
Potassium ion (K+)
◦How does earthworm break down dead matter?
-Earthworms help break down vegetation by digesting it as it passes through their bodies and excreting the remains
What is an example of pastoral farming?
-Grass
-Grains
-Millk
-Wool
-Eggs
Name one benefit of crop rotation
- reduce plant diseases
- less pests
- the soil in the new plot is more likely to have the nutrients the crop needs.
◦Mineral particles are the small pieces of rocks formed from weathering. Name the three main types of weathering
Physical
Chemical
Biological
◦Soil is one of the medium to grow plant. Name another medium that farmers use to grow plants.
-Mineral wool
◦Name three common of decomposers present in the soil
-Earthworms
-Fungi
-Bacteria
What does it mean by pastoral farming
-Farming that focuses on the production of animals and animal related products
What does it mean by crop rotation?
Growing different types of plants in different plots each year
◦Where can you find soil and water
-In the soil pore
◦When fertilizers are mixed with water, the water will break the fertilizer into mineral ions. What is the name of the mineral ion for nitrogen?
Nitrate ions (NO3-)
◦What is the main function of decomposers in the soil?
-Break down dead matter into nutrients that can be used by the plants.
What is commercial farming?
cultivation of products with the main focus of selling them for cash
Name three methods to improve crop yield
1.Crop rotation
2.Fertilizers
3.Irrigation
4.Control of competing organisms
5.Controlling pests and diseases
6.Efficiency gains through mechanization
7.Selective breeding
8.Controlling the crop environment
◦What are the organic contents in the soil?
-a mixture of living plants and animals and their dead remains
◦What is the chemical symbol for potassium
K
◦At what pH of the soil is suitable for NPK minerals?
Neutral
◦What is a subsistence farming?
-Cultivation and production of food to meet the needs of the farmers and their families
Name two challenges of food production
1.An increasing world population needing more resources
2.Climate change affecting the availability of fertile land
3.Increasing settlement sizes reducing available farmland
4.Increases in the standard of living creating a demand for more food variety
5.Larger population impacting on the availability of water for irrigation
◦What are the mineral particles in the soil?
-a combination of rock fragments and other smaller inorganic (non-living) items
◦What is the chemical symbol for nitrogen
N
◦Can the pH of the soil influence the availability of mineral nutrients?
Yes
◦Define the word agriculture.
-cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals
◦List two disadvantages of intensive farming.
-Require high inputs to support the production
-Require high capital
-Environmental and ethical related issues (keeping animals in small and confined spaces)
◦Name the components found in soil.
-Mineral particles
-Organic content
-Air
-water
◦Name the three main nutrients present in fertilizer.
-Nitrogen
-Phosphorus
-Potassium
◦What is the pH range of mineral soils in arid region?
-pH 7 – pH 9
◦Name 4 benefits of high levels of organic matter content on the soil
-Increase the water-holding capacity
-Increase the air spaces in the soil
-Increase in the number of decomposer organisms
-Prevent the loss of mineral nutrients
◦What is intensive farming
Production of large amount of yield from small areas of land
◦Complete the sentence below.
Soil is a habitat for plants and other ____________ that grow within it.
Organisms
◦Name two factors to grow plants successfully.
-Availability of mineral nutrients
-Anchorage to hold the roots securely
-Supply of water
-Supply of oxygen around the roots
◦Name two major drivers of the soil pH.
-The type of parent rock
-The pH of water that flows into the soil
◦How does bacteria break down dead matter?
-Bacteria convert waste products into simple chemicals that can be used by plants
◦What is extensive farming?
Production of relatively small amount of yield from a large area of land