60 Questions
Which one of the following is NOT a type of rock that can form parent material for soil?
Granular
Which of the following is the ideal soil texture for growing plants?
Loam
Which of the following is NOT a type of soil structure?
Granular
Which of the following is NOT a component of soil moisture?
Combined water
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects soil pH?
Water holding capacity
Which of the following is true about soil acidity and alkalinity?
Most plants have a narrow range of optimum pH
According to the Cohesion-Tension Theory, water moves into mesophyll cells from adjacent cells with ______ water potential.
higher
Which of the following factors contribute to the formation of soil?
Climate, organisms, relief, parent material, and time
What creates tension on water columns in the xylem cells?
Evaporation
What is the composition of the solid portion of soil?
Minerals and organic matter
What is the water potential of pure water?
0
Which horizon of the soil profile contains most of the roots?
A horizon
What is the role of climate in soil formation?
Climate contributes to the weathering of rocks
According to the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis, where does water enter the phloem?
Sieve tubes
What is the driving force behind fluid movement in the phloem according to the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis?
Turgor pressure
What is the role of living organisms in soil?
Organisms decompose organic material
What is the fifth component of soil?
Soil profile
What occurs when food substances are actively removed at sink regions?
Pressure in sieve tubes decreases
Which of the following is a direct effect of lime application on acidic soils?
A decrease in solubility of aluminum and iron
Which of the following nutrients is considered a mobile nutrient?
Potassium
What is the primary purpose of tillage in agriculture?
To provide a favorable environment for crop growth
Which type of soil erosion is caused by wind?
Gully erosion
What is the recommended residue coverage on the soil for reduced tillage?
Between 15% and 30%
Which soil conservation method involves placing seeds directly into the previous season's crop residue?
No-till
Which of the following is a benefit of contour farming?
Reduced evaporation from the soil surface
Which of the following is NOT a function of sediment basins?
Directing runoff by row direction
What is the primary purpose of windbreaks?
All of the above
What is the main difference between low till and no till farming?
Low till farming involves plowing and cultivating to remove old vegetation, while no till farming does not
What is the primary purpose of cover crops?
Adding organic matter and nitrogen to the soil
Which soil horizon contains the topsoil?
A horizon
Soil is formed through the interaction of climate, parent material, topography, vegetation, living organisms and time.
True
The solid portion of soil consists of only minerals.
False
The A horizon of the soil profile contains most of the roots.
True
The B horizon is the zone of accumulation.
True
Climate has no impact on the weathering of rocks.
False
Bacteria and fungi decompose organic material in the soil.
True
Roots and other living organisms increase the rate at which minerals dissolve.
True
Small animals alter soil by their activities and by their wastes.
True
Parent rocks from which soil can be formed include igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
True
Igneous rocks are formed from the hardening of various kinds of molten rock material.
True
Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample.
True
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soil is important for maintaining adequate quantities of plant available calcium, magnesium, and potassium in soils.
True
True or false: Adding calcium or magnesium compounds can counteract the effects of lime application on acidic soils.
True
True or false: Lime application reduces the solubility of aluminum and iron in the soil.
True
True or false: Zinc sulfate can increase the availability of plant nutrients including iron, zinc, copper, and manganese.
True
True or false: Immobile nutrients such as boron, calcium, and zinc are translocated from one plant part to another.
False
True or false: Nitrogen deficiency in plants can be indicated by general yellowing of older leaves.
True
True or false: Conservation tillage methods leave at least 30% residue coverage on the soil.
True
True or false: Contour farming allows for runoff to be directed by row direction.
True
True or false: Sediment basins are ponds or basins that hold and slow runoff until the sediment has settled.
True
True or false: Critical area plantings are areas that would otherwise be eroding and should be covered in vegetation.
True
True or false: Windbreaks provide multiple benefits including crop protection, water conservation, and wildlife habitat.
True
True or false: No till farming involves planting crops directly into standing stubble without plowing or cultivating.
True
True or false: Clay soils have smaller pores but greater pore space and therefore greater water holding capacity compared to sandy soils.
True
The Cohesion-Tension Theory explains how water moves through xylem cells in plants.
True
Water moves into mesophyll cells from adjacent cells with lower water potential.
False
The movement of sugars in plants is primarily through the xylem.
False
The Pressure-Flow Hypothesis suggests that organic solutes flow from sources to sinks in the phloem.
True
Turgor pressure is responsible for driving fluid through the sieve tubes in the phloem.
True
Water diffuses back into the xylem from the phloem.
True
Study Notes
Soil Formation and Composition
- Soil is formed through the interaction of climate, parent material, topography, vegetation, living organisms, and time.
- The solid portion of soil consists of minerals, organic matter, water, and air.
- Parent rocks from which soil can be formed include igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
- Igneous rocks are formed from the hardening of various kinds of molten rock material.
Soil Structure and Texture
- Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample.
- Clay soils have smaller pores but greater pore space and therefore greater water holding capacity compared to sandy soils.
Soil Moisture and Water Potential
- The water potential of pure water is 0.
- Water moves into mesophyll cells from adjacent cells with higher water potential.
- Water diffuses back into the xylem from the phloem.
Soil pH and Acidity
- Lime application can counteract the effects of acidic soils and reduce the solubility of aluminum and iron in the soil.
- Adding calcium or magnesium compounds can counteract the effects of lime application on acidic soils.
Soil Conservation and Management
- Conservation tillage methods leave at least 30% residue coverage on the soil.
- Contour farming allows for runoff to be directed by row direction and reduces soil erosion.
- Windbreaks provide multiple benefits including crop protection, water conservation, and wildlife habitat.
- Critical area plantings are areas that would otherwise be eroding and should be covered in vegetation.
- No till farming involves planting crops directly into standing stubble without plowing or cultivating.
- The primary purpose of cover crops is to reduce soil erosion and add organic matter to the soil.
Plant Nutrition and Transport
- The Cohesion-Tension Theory explains how water moves through xylem cells in plants.
- The Pressure-Flow Hypothesis suggests that organic solutes flow from sources to sinks in the phloem.
- Turgor pressure is responsible for driving fluid through the sieve tubes in the phloem.
- Nitrogen deficiency in plants can be indicated by general yellowing of older leaves.
Soil Erosion and Conservation
- Soil erosion can be caused by wind or water.
- The recommended residue coverage on the soil for reduced tillage is at least 30%.
- Sediment basins are ponds or basins that hold and slow runoff until the sediment has settled.
- True or false: Sediment basins are ponds or basins that hold and slow runoff until the sediment has settled.
Test your knowledge on the effects of lime application on acidic soils. Explore how the addition of calcium and magnesium compounds can counteract soil acidity and increase nutrient availability. Learn about the direct and indirect effects of lime application, including the reduction in H+ concentration and the decrease in solubility of certain elements. Discover alternative methods such as sulfur or sulfate compounds to lower soil pH.
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