Physical Properties of Soil

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What is the test to determine if soil is clay or sandy?

Roll it into a ball

What is necessary for good soil structure?

Drainage of excess water, air movement, root growth, water retention

What is the process of soil particles binding together?

Cementation

How does flocculation occur?

Formation of negative charges on soil colloids, cations attachment, absorption, linking by polarized water Signup and view all the answers

What is soil porosity?

Amount of soil pores and their content of air or water Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of earthworms and roots on soil air?

Less oxygen, more carbon Signup and view all the answers

How can soil aeration be improved?

Avoid poaching, add farmyard manure, add lime Signup and view all the answers

What type of soil structure leads to drought in good weather?

Large pores in sandy soil Signup and view all the answers

Which type of soil structure causes waterlogging?

Small pores in clay soil Signup and view all the answers

What are the five mineral particles found in soil, in order of size?

gravel, coarse sand, fine sand, silt, clay Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the breakdown of dead plants and animals in soil?

humus Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main properties of soil?

texture, structure, porosity, chemistry, and colour Signup and view all the answers

How is soil texture determined?

by the amount of sand, silt, and clay present Signup and view all the answers

What is a loam soil?

a soil with equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay Signup and view all the answers

How can the soil triangle be used to determine soil texture?

by calculating the percentage of sand, silt, and clay Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the pore space within an aggregate of soil particles?

Micro-pore Signup and view all the answers

What is flocculation in soil?

when silt, sand, and clay are held together by colloidal particles Signup and view all the answers

How can you determine the type of soil texture by observation?

by taking a handful of dry soil and adding water to it Signup and view all the answers

Define the term 'humus' as it relates to soil composition.

Humus is the breakdown of dead plants and animals in soil when it decomposes. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the soil triangle is used to determine soil texture.

The soil triangle is used to calculate the percentage of sand, silt, and clay in a soil sample, which helps determine the soil texture. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of flocculation in soil structure.

Flocculation is when silt, sand, and clay are held together by colloidal particles, forming aggregates. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of micro-pores in soil aggregates?

Micro-pores are the pore spaces within aggregates that affect drainage and aeration in the soil. Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount of sand, silt, and clay in soil affect its drainage?

The amount of sand, silt, and clay determines the soil texture, which in turn influences the drainage capacity of the soil. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of mineral matter in soil composition.

Mineral matter comes from parent rock material and is broken down into different-sized particles like gravel, sand, silt, and clay. Signup and view all the answers

What are the main properties of soil besides texture?

The main properties of soil are structure, porosity, chemistry, and color, in addition to texture. Signup and view all the answers

How can observing the behavior of soil when water is added help determine its texture?

Adding water to dry soil and observing how it behaves can give insights into the soil's texture based on how it clumps together or disintegrates. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes loam soil from other soil types?

Loam soil contains equal amounts of sand, silt, and clay, making it a balanced soil type. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of soil structure for plant growth.

Good soil structure is necessary for drainage, air movement, root growth, and water retention. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of cementation in soil and how does it affect soil particles?

Cementation is the binding of soil particles, which helps in creating stable aggregates. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the formation of flocculation in soil.

Flocculation occurs when soil colloids are linked together by polarized water. Signup and view all the answers

Why is soil porosity important for plant growth?

Soil porosity determines the amount of air and water available to plant roots. Signup and view all the answers

How can soil aeration be improved, and why is it crucial for soil health?

Soil aeration can be enhanced by avoiding land poaching, adding farmyard manure, and lime. It is vital for root respiration and microbial activity. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the impact of soil texture on water retention for plant growth.

Soil with large pores drains excess water, while small pores retain water needed for plant growth. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of soil color in indicating soil characteristics?

Dark soil indicates more sunlight exposure and likely high humus content, while red soil may suggest leaching. Signup and view all the answers

Why does sandy soil lead to drought in good weather conditions?

Sandy soil with large pores causes rapid drainage, leading to drought conditions during good weather. Signup and view all the answers

How do earthworms and roots impact soil air composition?

Earthworms and roots absorb oxygen and release carbon, affecting the oxygen-to-carbon ratio in soil air. Signup and view all the answers