Soil Biological Characteristics SAQ's

pH 6-8

To act as food for worms, increasing their population and improving soil structure

Breaking down organic matter and releasing CO2

<p>Primary role: decompose organic matter, convert nutrients into usable forms. Benefit: feed on compounds exiting the roots.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil biomass</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Carbon footprint</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mycorrhizal fungi provide water, nutrients, and disease resistance to the plant, while the plant provides compounds for the fungi.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Eco-tillage and minimum tillage</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>58%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Earthworms add nutrients in the form of faeces, decompose organic matter, and add organic matter when they die.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Converting nitrogen gas (N2) to nitrate (NO3-)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Symbiotic: one or more organisms benefit, neither are harmed. Mutualistic: both organisms benefit from the relationship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Primary function: convert organic matter into humus, convert nitrogen into usable forms. Contribute to soil fertility by making nutrients available to plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rhizosphere</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Reducing soil disturbance can help reduce the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere, allowing it to be stored in the soil where it can provide energy for the soil microbiome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rhizobium bacteria fix nitrogen (N2) into nitrate (NO3-) in the nodules of legume plants, allowing plants to take up and store nitrogen as protein.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Ammonium (NH4) is converted to nitrite (NO2-) by Nitrosomas bacteria during nitrification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Denitrifying bacteria convert nitrate (NO3-) back to nitrogen gas (N2) under anaerobic conditions in waterlogged soils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Minimum tillage reduces soil disturbance, allowing carbon to be stored in the soil and providing energy for the soil microbiome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing nutrients such as nitrogen that can be used by plants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nitrogen fixation is the conversion of nitrogen gas (N2) to nitrate (NO3-), while nitrification is the conversion of ammonium (NH4) to nitrate (NO3-).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Legume plants take up and store nitrogen as protein through the process of nitrogen fixation, which is facilitated by rhizobium bacteria.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bacteria convert nitrogen gas (N2) to nitrate (NO3-) through nitrogen fixation, and convert ammonium (NH4) to nitrate (NO3-) through nitrification.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil disturbance can lead to the release of carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. This can be mitigated through practices such as minimum tillage and stopping the cultivation/harvesting of peat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Earthworms contribute to the humification process by decomposing organic matter to humus and recycling nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The rhizosphere is the area around a plant root where the biological and chemical aspects of the soil are influenced by the root, and it plays a critical role in plant-soil interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Mycorrhizal fungi enhance water holding capacity, bind soil particles together, and help with disease resistance, ultimately benefiting soil fertility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Optimal soil biomass requires a pH between 6-8, moist soil, and high levels of organic matter, which can be achieved by adding lime, managing water levels, and spreading FYM or other organic manures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Soil biomass is the total amount of organic matter living in the soil, and it plays a critical role in maintaining soil fertility by decomposing organic matter, recycling nutrients, and improving soil structure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Warm soil above 10°C and well-aerated soil, which allows for efficient decomposition and carbon sequestration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bacteria convert N2 to NO3- through nitrogen fixation, convert NH4 to NO3- through nitrification, and convert NO3- back to N2 through denitrification, recycling nitrogen in the soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Farmers reduce their carbon footprint by planting more trees, reducing diesel usage, growing biofuels, not burning straw, and practicing minimum tillage, which reduces emissions, conserves energy, and promotes soil carbon sequestration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>SOC is calculated by multiplying the percentage of Soil Organic Matter (SOM) by 0.58, and it's an important indicator of soil health because it influences soil structure, fertility, and carbon sequestration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The nitrogen cycle involves nitrogen fixation (N2 to NO3-), decomposition (organic matter to NH4 and NO3-), nitrification (NH4 to NO2- to NO3-), and denitrification (NO3- to N2).</p> Signup and view all the answers