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

Homomorphic types - intra specific incompatibility, Homomorphic Types - Int...

Homomorphic Types - Intra specific Incompatibility It is characterized by morphologically indistinguishable mating types within a species. A proper breeding is required for th

Fruits, how to do write the assaigment in botany give idea

how to do write the assaigment in botany give idea

Growth phase -stages in spermatogenesis, Growth Phase -Stages in spermatoge...

Growth Phase -Stages in spermatogenesis Growth phase is characterized by the acquisition of the structural and functional characteristics of distinct sex cells. Also here is a

Explain the small intestine, Explain the Small Intestine? The small int...

Explain the Small Intestine? The small intestine is made up of three sections, the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. Bile from the liver and pancreatic enzymes are released

Define etiological risk factors in cancer, Define Etiological Risk Factors ...

Define Etiological Risk Factors in Cancer? Cancer risks are climbing because of increasingly sedentary lifestyles and diets which are high in fat and sugar although low in frui

Explain ventricular septal defect in details, Explain Ventricular Septal De...

Explain Ventricular Septal Defect in details ? Indications of surgery :  Some VSDs close spontaneously or become smaller in size. This has to be taken into consideratio

State the objectives of neuropsychological assessment, State the goals of N...

State the goals of Neuropsychological assessment Neuropsychological assessment therefore has twin goals. i) The first goal is to recognize the disrupted psychological compo

What is the rh typing of the mother, What is the Rh typing of the mother an...

What is the Rh typing of the mother and of the fetus in the hemolytic disease of the newborn? In the hemolytic disease of the newborn the mother is Rh- and the fetus Rh+. In th

Spontaneous deamination of cytosine, Q. Spontaneous deamination of cytosine...

Q. Spontaneous deamination of cytosine: 1. Deamination of cytosine is common and results in conversion of cytosine to uracil 2. can be repaired by excision repair process (i)

What are the reasons of food processing, What are the reasons of Food Proce...

What are the reasons of Food Processing? The reasons for food processing may vary, but the main objectives are to: Preserve the nutritive quality of food by preventing th

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