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Soil Science Terms
Question | Answer |
---|---|
Aggregates | The structures formed when soil particles combine with each other |
Alluvial Soil | Soil particles moved about by water and washed into low-lying areas to form deltas and flood plains |
Capillary Water | Water held between the soil particles against the force of gravity |
Clay | The smallest size soil particle; has the ability to hold both nutrients and water in the soil |
Decomposition | The process in which organic matter is broken down |
Glacial Soil | Soil created, moved, and deposited by glaciers |
Gravitational Soil | Water pulled downward in soil by the force of gravity |
Horizon | A distinct layer of soil in a profile |
Humus | Plant material or organic matter that reaches the advanced stage of decomposition |
Hygroscopic Water | Water that forms a thin film around individual soil particles; not available to plants |
Infiltration | The process of water soaking into the soil |
Organic Matter | The accumulation of decayed soil or partially decayed plants, animals, and other organisms in the soil |
Leaching | The process of soil water dissolving minerals, chemicals, and salts |
Peds | Clusters of soil particles |
Loess | Soil particles carried and deposited by the wind |
Mineral Matter | Inorganic material in the soil; formed by weathering of rocks |
Silt | The mid-size soil particle; has good water holding capacity |
Permeable | The quality of soil that allows water to infiltrate and percolate |
Pore Spaces | Spaces between solid particles in the soil that are filled with air or water |
Percolation | The downward movement of water in the soil |
Sand | The largest soil particle; helps to improve aeration in the soil |
Soil Profile | A view of a cross section of soil |
Soil Structure | The way in which aggregates or clusters are arranged |
Soil Texture | The proportions of sand, silt, and clay in the soil |
Subsoil | The B horizon in a soil profile; the layer below the topsoil |
Tilth | The ease at which soil can be worked to form a good seedbed |
Topsoil | The top few inches of soil with the greatest fertility |
Weathering | The process in which the climate literally causes rock to break into small particles forming mineral matter |