Soil Management and Acid Rain Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What can happen if wetlands are drained in relation to acid sulfate soils?

They may produce extreme acid soils. (correct)

They become neutral and harmless.

They improve soil fertility significantly.

They maintain the same level of acidity.

What is an advantage of mixed cropping systems involving trees over monocropping systems?

They require less water overall.

They increase nitrogen runoff.

They help retain nitrogen and sulfur in the soil. (correct)

They improve soil structure without any drawbacks.

What effect does urea have on soil pH over time?

It lowers the pH, making the soil more acidic. (correct)

It has no effect on soil pH at all.

It raises the pH, making the soil alkaline.

It causes erratic changes in soil pH.

Why might farmers choose nitrogen fertilizers with nitrification inhibitors?

To keep nitrogen in the soil longer. Signup and view all the answers

How does nitrogen fixation by microbes differ from nitrogen retention by vermiculite clays?

Microbes convert nitrogen into usable forms, while clays hold nitrogen without microbes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of acidity in acid rain?

Pollutants like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely reason for higher nitrate contents in streams from agricultural watersheds compared to forested watersheds?

Farms use fertilizers that often lead to nitrate runoff. Signup and view all the answers

What are some environmental problems caused by concentrated animal-feeding operations (CAFOs)?

Excessive nitrogen leading to water pollution. Signup and view all the answers

What causes cultivated soils to have more phosphorus compared to natural soils?

Fertilizer use in agriculture increases phosphorus levels. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor primarily affects the availability of phosphorus in soils?

Soil pH Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of excessive phosphorus application in agriculture?

Water pollution due to eutrophication Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of high soil pH on phosphorus availability?

Locks phosphorus with calcium Signup and view all the answers

What does luxury consumption of nutrients in plants imply?

Plants absorb more nutrients than required. Signup and view all the answers

Which nutrient deficiency symptoms would you observe in new plant growth?

Calcium deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of clear-cutting in forest management?

Significant nitrogen losses Signup and view all the answers

How can overapplication of potassium negatively impact agriculture?

Harms the nutrient balance in the soil Signup and view all the answers

When is plant tissue analysis preferable to soil tests?

To address visible nutrient deficiencies in plants Signup and view all the answers

What role do chelates play in plant nutrition?

Increase the solubility of nutrients in soil Signup and view all the answers

Which micronutrients are known to adversely affect animal health when deficient or excessive?

Copper and selenium Signup and view all the answers

What is eutrophication, and how is it primarily caused?

Excessive algae growth due to nutrient runoff from farms Signup and view all the answers

What is the limited resource in terms of plant growth, and why is it significant?

It is essential for growth but often not available in sufficient quantities. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Acid Sulfate Soils

Potential acid sulfate soils form in wetlands.
Draining wetlands can create extremely acidic soils.

Agroforestry Systems

Mixed cropping (trees and food crops) in tropical regions improves nitrogen and sulfur soil management compared to monocropping.
Mixed cropping helps retain nitrogen and sulfur.

Soil Fertilization and pH

Urea added to soil eventually lowers pH (makes it more acidic), not raises it. This is because urea converts to ammonium, which acidifies the soil over time.

Nitrogen Fertilizer with Inhibitors

Farmers often pay more for nitrogen fertilizers with nitrification inhibitors.
These inhibitors keep nitrogen in the soil longer.

Nitrogen Fixation

Microbes convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.
Vermiculite clays and humus retain nitrogen in the soil without microbial involvement.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is precipitation with increased acidity due to pollutants.
It damages natural ecosystems by acidifying soil and water.

Nitrate in Streams

Streams draining forested areas have lower nitrate levels compared to those draining agricultural areas.
Tree uptake reduces nitrates in forests.
Fertilizers lead to higher nitrates from agricultural areas.

CAFOs and Nitrogen Pollution

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) release excess nitrogen from manure into water.
Properly handling manure and using less fertilizer can manage this pollution.

Soil Nitrogen Levels

Agricultural soils often have lower total nitrogen than nearby natural soils (forests or grasslands).
Farming depletes nitrogen faster than it's replenished, while natural soils better recycle it.

Phosphorus in Cultivated Soils

Cultivated soils typically have higher phosphorus content compared to natural soils due to fertilizer use.

Eutrophication and Phosphorus

Eutrophication is increased algae growth due to nutrient runoff from farms.

Phosphorus Availability and Soil pH

Soil pH affects phosphorus availability.
Low pH: Phosphorus binds with iron and aluminum, making it unavailable.
High pH: Phosphorus binds with calcium, making it unavailable.
Optimal plant availability at pH 6-7.

Nutrient Fixation

Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus become "fixed" in the soil through various processes. These processes can vary widely in their effectiveness and environmental impacts. Further details on the processes would help to fully understand these.

Luxury Consumption of Nutrients

Plants can absorb more nutrients than needed (luxury consumption).
Advantages: Extra nutrients can be stored.
Disadvantages: Wastage of nutrients and potential soil imbalances.

Nutrient Overapplication

Overapplying phosphorus can pollute water.
Overapplying potassium can disrupt nutrient balance.

Plant Nutrient Deficiencies

Calcium (Ca) deficiency symptoms show up in new growth.
Magnesium (Mg) deficiency symptoms show up in older leaves.

Phytoliths

Phytoliths are silica structures in plants giving rigidity and strength.

Micronutrient Application

Large quantities of micronutrients should not be added to satisfy potential future needs because of toxicity.

Essential Nutrients

Nitrogen is needed in larger quantities than molybdenum, but a deficiency in either nutrient can substantially affect tree growth.

Chelates

Chelates improve nutrient absorption for plants by preventing them from being bound by soil particles.

Micronutrient Animal Toxicity

Copper and selenium deficiencies and toxicities badly affect animals.

Plant Breeding and Micronutrients

Plant breeders can improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce micronutrient toxicities.

Nitrogen Loss in Forests

Clear-cutting forests can lead to nitrogen losses.
Selective cutting can reduce these losses.

Nitrate Reduction in Groundwater

Nitrate concentrations reduce as groundwater flows through a riparian buffer zone.

Cover Crops for Nitrate Leaching

Ryegrass is a suitable cover crop for minimizing nitrate leaching.

Fertilizer Element Issues

Nitrogen can pollute air and water.
Phosphorus causes water pollution.
Potassium affects soil health.

Organic vs. Inorganic Nutrients

Comparison of organic and inorganic nutrient sources is available elsewhere, but without detail here.

Limiting Factors for Plant Growth

A limiting factor is a necessary nutrient in insufficient quantity. A lack of a necessary nutrient negatively impacts plant growth.

Plant Tissue Analysis vs. Soil Testing

Plant tissue analysis is useful when plants show symptoms of nutrient imbalance, while soil testing might not show this.

Soil Tests as Indicators

Soil tests measure nutrient levels.
They do not always show plant uptake or environmental risk.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on various aspects of soil management, including acid sulfate soils, agroforestry systems, and the effects of fertilizers. This quiz also covers the impact of acid rain on environmental health and soil chemistry. Discover how different practices influence soil pH and nitrogen management.