Soils Lecture 2
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“We are rooted to the air through our lungs and to the soil through our stomachs. We are walking trees and floating plants.” Who said this?
JK, YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW, but in case you were wondering: J Burroughs
What soil temperature do plants grow best in?
40-50 degrees Fahrenheit
Difference between cool and warm season grasses?
Cool season grasses start early season growth but shut down as it gets too warm (different chemical reaction chain in photosynthesis) Warm Season grasses start after temps allow their photosynthesis reactions to step up
Plant roots must have oxygen to do what?
respire. So that root hair cells can transfer nutrients into the plant -Roots respire and give off CO2 in the soil both day and night
Mycorrhizae
Fungi hairs in symbiotic relationship with roots
Aeration of soil can be increased by…?
better drainage, fossorial (underground dwelling) animals, earthworms, etc
Soil Matrix
The arrangement of air pockets to soil particles – usually 50/50
How many pounds of water is needed to produce 1 lb of plant growth?
From 200 to 1000 lbs of water
Annual crops
Crops that must be re-seeded each year (corn and soy beans)
Perennial crops
Crops whose roots can overwinter and continue growing the next season (grasses and alfalfa) OVERWINTER (verb): to last through or pass the winter
Vertisols
Clays that shrink and swell. Can’t build anything on.
Erosion
Soil loss by surface removal - It is said that 2 bushels of soil are lost to erosion to every 1 bushel of corn.
Pollution
Where toxic materials are left on or in the soil by unregulated or illegal use
Salinization
The result of salt increases in the soil due to irrigation over a number of years
Acidification
• Can happen when too much fertilizer is added to the land - Occurs naturally very slowly as soil is weathered, but this process is accelerated by productive agriculture
Urbanization
The spread of city construction that covers farms, fields, and forests nearby and spreads outward - Urbanization is taking some of the best of our farms and open areas and converting them to hardspace for homes, stores, and parking lots.