chapter 2 soils and fertilizers

acidity

having a pH less than 7

Alkalinity

having a pH greater than 7

Banding

narrow bands of fertilizers are applied in furrows 2 to 3 inches from the garden seed. And 3 inches deep

broadcasting

spread over the entire growing area and left to filter into the soil. Used for large garden areas

Chelate

a substance that can grasp the positive ions of a mineral Greek for claw

Chlorosis

abnormal reduction or loss of the normal green coloration of leaves of plants, typically caused by iron deficiency in lime-rich soils, or by disease or lack of light.

clay

the finest soil, made up of particles that are less than 0.002 mm in diameter.

complete fertilizer

Contains all three of the primary fertilizer nutrients (nitrogen, phosphate, and potash)

Erosion

Processes by which rock, sand, and soil are broken down and carried away (i.e. weathering, glaciation)

fertilizer analysis

percentage of nutrients in fertilizer

foliar feeding

Fertilizer applied in liquid form to the plants foliage in a fine spray.

Humus

material formed from decaying leaves and other organic matter

Incomplete fertilizer

do not have all three primary elements. (20-0-0, 0-20-0).

Leaching

removal of dissolved materials from soil by water moving downwards

Loam

A mixture of gravel, sand, silt, clay, and organic matter

Macronutrients

A chemical substance that an organism must obtain in relatively large amounts

Micronutrients

12 other nutrients that a plant needs in smaller numbres

organic fertilizer

slow-acting & long-lasting because the organic remains need time to be decomposed

sand

the coarsest soil, with particles 0.05,2.0 mm in diameter.

Side-dressing

putting fertilizer next to or near the plant roots, bottom of rows near plant roots.

silt

relative small particles second largest particle

soil horizon

The layer of soil that differs in color and texture from the layers above or below it.

Soil pH

A measure of the acidity of the soil

soil profile

All the vertical layers or horizons that make up a soil in a particular place

soil structure

the arrangement of soil particles

soil texture

the soil quality that is based on the proportions of soil particles

starter solution

diluted mixture of single or complete fertilizers used when plants are transplanted

subsoil

The layer of soil beneath the topsoil that contains mostly clay and other minerals.