Aeration, Biology

Assignment Help:

Aeration

A well-aerated soil is one in which gases are available to plant roots and other soil organisms, in sufficient quantities and in proper proportions to support their normal respiratory activities. It is important that oxygen which is necessary for soil biota is continuously renewed to support metabolic activities.

A soil which is considered well aerated must have the following two characteristics. First, sufficient space for air movement should be present. Second, there must be ample opportunity for the ready movement of gases into and out of the soil. Soil aeration is an important factor having far reaching influence on the metabolic activity of plant roots and other soil organisms. Continuous supply of oxygen in the soil is necessary to sustain soil organisms.

One of the most apparent effects of poor soil aeration is the reduction in the rate of organic matter decomposition, which you might recall is an essential process to maintain soil fertility. The reduced rate of break down of organic matter is due to the lack of oxygen rather than from the built up of carbon dioxide. Accumulation of organic matter in swampy areas shows that the lack of oxygen retards the decomposition of organic matter.

Aerobic soil organisms are unable to survive in the absence of gaseous oxygen. For example, bacteria that are responsible for the oxidation of nitrogen and sulphur are relatively ineffective in poorly aerated soils. This is also true for the symbiotic nitrogen fixers and some of the free living nitrogen fixers such as azotobacter.

Higher plants are also adversely affected by poor soil aeration because the root growth is curtailed; nutrient and water absorption is adversely affected; and certain toxic elements accumulate in poorly aerated soils.


Related Discussions:- Aeration

Define risk management, Define Risk management Risk management is def...

Define Risk management Risk management is defined  for the purposes of the Codex Alimentations Commission as  "the process, distinct from  risk assessment,  of weighing polic

Aquatic ecosystem - types of ecosystem, Aquatic Ecosystem - Types of Ecosys...

Aquatic Ecosystem - Types of Ecosystem Global waters cover about three quarters of the earth's surface either as fresh water where salt content is less than 0.5 per cent or as

Theory of embryology - pre-formation theory, PR E FORMATION THEORY - ...

PR E FORMATION THEORY - Proposed by Marcello Malpighi. Studied chick egg and proposed his work in "De ova-incubato". According this different part of embryo previousl

What is the elimination of the sliding clamp, Which of the following result...

Which of the following results from the elimination of the sliding clamp? A. DNA polymerase will no longer be processive and will fall off the double helix after synthesizing

Explain the importance of vitamin E, Explain the Importance of Vitamin E ...

Explain the Importance of Vitamin E Vitamin E has a pronounced antioxidizing effect. Because of this property, vitamin E decreases the basic metabolism of the tissues or the ox

Which animals make tracheal respiration, Q. Which animals make tracheal res...

Q. Which animals make tracheal respiration? Is there a blood-like fluid that participates in this process? Arachnids and Insects are the arthropod animals that make tracheal re

Can you illustrate compensation point, Q. What is compensation point? What ...

Q. What is compensation point? What is the inference of the compensation point for the plant growth? The photic compensation point is the photic energy intensity under which ae

Define absorption, Define Absorption, Storage and Elimination of Riboflavin...

Define Absorption, Storage and Elimination of Riboflavin? Riboflavin is absorbed from the small intestine through the portal vein and is passed to all tissues via general circu

Write the chain structure of d galactose and d mannose, Write the chain str...

Write the chain structure of D galactose and D mannose? The ring form of ribose is a component of ribonucleic acid (RNA). Deoxyribose, which is missing an oxygen at positi

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd