Soil Frq for Apes

Soil FRQ A) One chemical soil test we could do is a pH level test so we are able to tell what crops can grow in what areas. Other chemical tests include salinity, organic content (humus), or the iron exchange capacity. One Physical Soil test we can do is pick up a handful of it and rub it together with our fingers to tell if it’s a soil heavy in clay, silt, or sand. Other physical tests include water-holding capacity porosity, moisture content, soil structure, or color. By completing these tests we will be able to tell what and where things can be planted, and what will survive based on soil type. B) One advantage to using inorganic commercial fertilizer is that the nutrients are immediately available to the plants because they are purposely put in there to do so. Some other advantages are that it’s easily obtained, it speeds up the growing process, and you have a specific nutrient analysis. One disadvantage is it is more expensive and it is easily washed below the plants root systems from leeching of rain and irrigation. On top of that, other disadvantages are that is adds no humus or organic matter, it requires large amounts of energy for production, and over application could cause harm to the plant. C) Two soil conservation practices that are designed to decrease soil erosion are wind breaks, such as a wall, or the planting of trees to keep the soil in place with the roots of the tree. Other ways to avoid erosion are terracing, mulching, land leveling, or conservation tillage. D) One biome that is rich in humus is grassland soil. Humus originated in it because it is semiarid climate and little rainfall is seen in the grassland creating less leeching than most soil types. This creates a large buildup of organic material and humus. Another way Humus originates in grassland is due to the grasses from large amounts of organic matter that decomposes. Humus improves soil for plant growth by helping topsoil hold water and nutrients taken up by plant