Soil
What are Sand, Silt and Clay?
These are the three types of particles in soil.
If your soil is sandy and can't be moulded you have ________.
Sandy Soil
What is Granular?
Resembles cookie crumbs and is usually less than 0.5 cm in diameter. Commonly found in surface horizons where roots have been growing.
What does red soil contain?
Iron
What is a CATION?
A positively charged ion.
What is Sand?
This is the largest particle found in soil.
If your soil is not sandy and can be easily deformed when in a ball you have ________.
Silt Loam
What is Columnar?
Vertical columns of soil that have a white, rounded salt "cap" at the top. Found in soils of arid climates.
Why is soil colour important?
The nutrients, or lack thereof, can affect plant growth.
Does temperature affect soil pH?
Temperature and rainfall affect the intensity of leaching and the weathering of soil minerals.
What is Silt?
This is the medium-sized particle found in soil. It is smooth and powdery when dry.
If your soil is sandy and can be moulded into a ball, but then breaks easily you have ________.
Sandy Loam
The soil structure, having a comparative loose stable structure is ____________
Honey Comb
What factors affect soil colour?
Mineral composition as well as water and organic contents.
Cation exchange is best described as...
The ability of a soil to attract, release and retain cations.
What is clay?
This is the smallest particle found in soil. It feels sticky when wet and holds many nutrients.
You dig a small hole in the soil and the next day it rains. The hole fills with water but does not empty even after several days of dry weather. What is the soil mostly made of?
Clay
What is Single Grained?
Soil is broken into individual particles that do not stick together. Always accompanies a loose consistence. Commonly found in sandy soils.
How does soil colour affect plant growth?
Black/dark brown soil usually indicates the presence of decaying organic matter so is generally fertile.
What is the result of having an inadequate soil pH?
A very low/high pH can reduce the availability of nutrients to plants.
The different layers of a soil profile are called ________.
Horizons
What factors determine soil texture?
Its composition and the relative portions of clay, sand and silt.
How does soil structure affect the environment?
Supports biodiversity by providing a diverse range of habitats for the many organisms that live within it.
What are 3 things soil colour can tell us?
White indicates the predominance of silica or the presence of salts, red indicates the accumulation of iron oxide and brown and black indicate the level and type of organic matter.
What is the first step a farmer should take if he wishes to improve his soil?
Do a soil test to see what nutrients are lacking in the soil.