Lecture 9 Soil Fertility 2022 last

Soil Productivity

The capacity of a soil to sustain plant growth, evaluated in terms of yield and influenced by multiple factors.

Law of Minimum

States that crop production can be no higher than that allowed by the most limiting plant growth factor.

Crop Rotation

The practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area across a sequence of growing seasons to reduce nutrient reliance and pest pressure.

Soil Fertility

The potential of a soil to supply nutrients necessary for plant growth, derived from its texture and organic matter.

Nutrient Deficiencies

Poor growth responses in plants due to a lack of essential nutrients, leading to symptoms such as weak stems and low seed production.

Ammonification

The process of converting organic nitrogen into ammonia (NH4+) through the action of soil microorganisms.

Nitrification

The conversion of ammonium (NH4+) to nitrate (NO3-) by specific bacteria, allowing plants to absorb nitrogen.

Denitrification

The reduction of nitrates to gaseous nitrogen compounds by anaerobic bacteria, often resulting in significant nitrogen loss from the soil.

Biological Nitrogen Fixation

The conversion of atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) by certain bacteria, particularly in symbiotic relationships with legumes.

Essential Elements

Nutrients required by plants classified as macronutrients (needed in large amounts) and micronutrients (needed in small amounts).