AGR1110 Subsistence Agriculture – Lecture 4: Soil erosion and fertilization

Flashcards created from lecture notes on soil erosion, fertilization, and the agri-food system of subsistence farming.

Subsistence Agriculture

Farming system where farmers focus on growing enough food to feed themselves and their families.

Soil Erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil, which can be caused by water, wind, and human activity.

Macronutrients

Elements required by plants in large amounts, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Micronutrients

Elements required by plants in small amounts, such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu).

Conservation Farming (CF)

An approach to farming that reduces soil erosion through various innovative methods.

Intercropping

Growing two or more crops in proximity for greater agricultural productivity.

No Till Agriculture

A farming practice where crops are planted without disturbing the soil through tillage.

Nitrogen Fixation

The process by which certain soil bacteria convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants.

Haber-Bosch Process

Industrial method to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen, essential for producing nitrogen fertilizers.

Microdosing

A cost-effective fertilizer strategy where small amounts of fertilizer are applied to enhance nutrient uptake.

Leghemoglobin

An oxygen-binding protein in legumes that helps create a low oxygen environment for nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Bacteroid Membrane

The membrane that surrounds nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plant nodules, regulating oxygen access.

Green Manure

Crops grown to be plowed under to improve soil fertility, often nitrogen-fixing legumes.

Animal Manures

Natural fertilizers derived from livestock waste, rich in nutrients for crops.

Land Degradation

The decline in the condition of land due to human activity or natural processes.

Edible Legumes

Plants that produce pods with seeds, high in protein and capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Protein Supplementation

Adding protein-rich food sources, such as legumes, to improve dietary nutrition.