Soil Science Word Scramble

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Question	Answer
Soil Classification History	1938 Yearbook of Agriculutre: Soils and Men. 1880’s V.V. Dokuchaev developed a Classification system through identification of soil forming factors.
Soil Survey	USDA developed soil classification system for use in soil surveys.
Soil Map Units	First group of digits or letters identify the soil series. Map units may be broken down to soil series or higher level of soil taxonomy dependent on map scale. National = soil order State = suborder County = soil series
Soil Survey Report Contents	Soil maps.
Soil Survey Report Contents	Taxonomy of soil.
Class I Soils	Few limitations for cultivated agriculture. Well drained and nearly level (< 2% slope). Considered prime farmland along with some Class II soils.
Class II Soils	Suitable for all uses with mild limitations.
Class III Soils	Suitable for crop production with sever/serious limitations. Lowest soil class that can be used safely for all crops.
What is Structureless soil	Sand.
Development of Soil pH	Causes of Acidity in soil and Continued Water.
What Effects pH on Plants	Conditions related to pH, Build up of toxic metals (aluminum and iron at low pH levels).
What Effects pH on Plants Nutrient Availability	phosphorous combines with aluminum and iron at low pH and calcium at high pH.
Conditions related to pH - Toxicity	Aluminum toxicity results in poor root growth. Low pH can cause mobilization of heavy metals.
Leading producers of vegetables	California is #1
Turf	The most common element in most landscapes.
Turf continued	After de-compacting and incorporating compost and fertilizer, smooth the surface prior to seeding or laying sod. Irrigate frequently to establish.
Turf and loss of nutrients	Turf should utilize nitrogen if applied at proper rates and at the proper times. Sweep up granular fertilizers that fall on sidewalks, driveways, street gutters.
When Storm drain systems collect runoff	They create this Visible pollutant plume.
Aquiclude	A hydrogeologic formation that can hold and transmit water but at a rate too slow for a well or spring.
Local Effects – Perched Water Tables	Percolation can be restricted causing localized water tables that are “perched” above the regional water table
Characteristics of Wet Soils	-Poor Drainage. -Mottling in the profile. -Low chroma colors.
Characteristics of Hydric Soils	-Saturated near the surface. -Mottling in the profile. -Low chroma colors.
Hydric Soils and Artificial Drainage – Types of Artificial Drainage: Surface	Collecting and removing excess water from soil surface with ditches.
Hydric Soils and Artificial Drainage – Types of Artificial Drainage: Subsurface	Collecting and removing excess water that has seeped into underground piping (tile).
How much rain water really flows off my yard? 1/4 acre urban lot	(~11,000 sq ft) receives ~217,188 gallons per year.
Average rainfall in Iowa	28-36 inches per year.
Secondary Consumers	Consume primary consumers.
Bioturbation	The stirring and mixing of soil by organisms.
Zoogeomorphology	The creation of landscape features by organisms.
Macrofauna – Annelids (Earthworms)	Dominant soil macrofauna. Indicator of good soil health.
Microflora	-Bacteria. -Fungi. -Actinomycetes. -Algae.
Mesofauna	-Nematodes. -Small arthropods (e.g., mites).
Managing Organisms	-Reducing soil disturbance. -Conservation tillage/no-till/ minimize grading.
Soil Aggregation	-Humus coats and binds mineral particles together into aggregates. -Organic substances produced by organisms bind aggregates together (glomalin).
Essential Elements	-A lack of the element stops a plant from completing growth or reproduction. -The element must be necessary for a wide range of plants – not just a few.
Nutrient Ions	-Plant roots (absorb) ions. -Soil particles (adsorb) ions.
Clay Types	Silicate Clays -Mica. -Illite. -Vermiculite. -Smectite. -Montmorillinite. -Chlorite. -Kaolinite. Oxide Clays -AKA sesquioxides. -Chemically different from silicate clays. -Found in old soils in humid, tropical climates. (not here)
Base Saturation	Soil colloids can attract any cation, not just plant nutrients.

Created by: josiahhumpleby