Agriculture and Environment Flashcards

Flashcards covering soil composition, agriculture types, increasing yields, impacts, erosion, and sustainable practices.

Mineral Particles

Combination of rock fragments and other inorganic substances formed by weathering of parent rock.

Organic Content (Soil)

Mixture of living plants, animals, microorganisms, and their dead remains in the soil.

Soil Air

Air held within the pore spaces between mineral particles and organic content, entering by diffusion.

Soil Water

Water held within the pore spaces, available for plant growth, entering the soil through precipitation or irrigation.

Sand (Soil)

Soil particle with size 2.0-0.02 mm; gritty texture.

Silt (Soil)

Soil particle with size 0.02-0.002 mm; silky or soapy texture.

Clay (Soil)

Soil particle with size <0.002 mm; silky or soapy texture, hard when dried.

Nitrogen (Plant Growth)

Supplied to plants as nitrate ions (NO3-).

Phosphorus (Plant Growth)

Supplied to plants as phosphate ions (PO4³-).

Potassium (Plant Growth)

Supplied to plants as potassium ions (K+).

Subsistence Agriculture

Agriculture practiced on small patches with low production, providing enough food for farmers and their families.

Commercial Agriculture

Agriculture practiced on a large scale with modern technology and high production, aimed at selling crops.

Arable Agriculture

Production of plants for consumption by humans.

Pastoral Agriculture

Production of animals or animal-related products.

Crop Rotation

Growing different types of plants in different plots each year.

Fertilizers

Substances containing nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus to increase the rate of plant growth.

Irrigation

Essential for cell activity in plants.

Pest Control

Use of insecticides and herbicides to kill insects and useless weeds.

Mechanization

Using machinery to cultivate a larger area.

Controlled Environment Agriculture

Use of greenhouses to ensure optimum conditions for plant growth.

Selective Breeding

Choosing parents with desired features and raising offspring from them, then selecting the best offspring.

Eutrophication

Excess water containing dissolved fertilizers leach into nearby lakes and rivers leading to increase of algae growth.

Soil Erosion

Wearing away of the topsoil by the force of water or wind.

Interception (Water Cycle)

Precipitation that doesn’t reach the soil but is instead intercepted by the leaves and branches of plants.

Infiltration (Water Cycle)

The process by which precipitation water soaks into the soil.

Surface Runoff

Water from rainfall that flows over the ground.

Terracing

Flat platforms made on a hillside to slow surface runoff of water.

Contour Ploughing

Ploughing perpendicular to the slope to slow water runoff.

Windbreaks

Trees planted in rows to protect from soil erosion by wind.

Mixed Cropping

Planting rows of trees acts as windbreaker; Tree canopy can provide shade for smaller plants that don't thrive for sunlight;Provide a natural habitat for animals that feed on pests; Tree leaves fall to the ground and add on to the organic matter

Crop Rotation

Diseases in the soil affecting the plant are left behind; Pests need to find new site; The soil in the plot is likely to have essential nutrients; Crops ready to harvest at different times

Sustainable Agriculture

Make efficient use of non renewable resources , supporting the natural ecosystem following natural processes with farming techniques.

Organic Fertilizers

Using organic matter to fertilize soil

Managed Grazing

Manage gazing livestock rotation