Soil #16

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to soil science, including soil formation, characteristics, and classifications.

Arable production

Land suitable for growing crops.

Fertile soil

Soil that is rich in nutrients and supports plant growth.

Topsoil

The uppermost layer of soil, essential for plant growth.

Inorganic materials

Materials in soil that are derived from rocks and minerals.

Colloidal particles

Tiny particles in soil that can retain water and nutrients.

Cation exchange capacity (CEC)

The ability of soil to hold cations and exchange them with plant roots.

Porosity

The amount of space in a soil volume that can hold water and air.

Permeability

The ability of soil to transmit water and air through its pores.

Capillary water

Water that is held in the soil and available for plants to absorb.

Leaching

The process of downward removal of soil nutrients by percolation.

Aquifer

A geological formation that can store and transmit water.

Soil horizon

A layer of soil that has distinct physical and chemical properties.

Mollisols

Fertile soils found in grasslands, rich in organic matter.

Gelisols

Soils characterized by the presence of permafrost.

Histosols

Organic soils rich in decomposed plant material and often saturated.

Podzolization

Soil formation process in acidic conditions, leading to leached horizons.

Salinization

The accumulation of salts in soil, often due to irrigation.

Vertisols

Clay-rich soils that expand and contract with moisture changes.

Oxisols

Red tropical soils characterized by long-term weathering.