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

What is a closed circulatory system, Q. Define a closed circulatory system?...

Q. Define a closed circulatory system? A closed circulatory system is one in which blood circulates only inside blood vessels for this reason the blood pressure is higher in so

Name the two groups of nephrons, Name the two groups of nephrons on the bas...

Name the two groups of nephrons on the basis of their position in the kidney. How are they different from each other? a) How is the halophyte Rhizophora adapted to survive in i

Explain in detail about gene therapy, Explain in detail about Gene therapy ...

Explain in detail about Gene therapy Gene therapy technology as a whole has yet to be proven and it's meeting a number of stumbling blocks, so may have little impact (low succe

Where can rna are found within cells, Q. Where can RNA are found within cel...

Q. Where can RNA are found within cells? In the eukaryote cell nucleus the RNA can be found to dispersed in the nuclear fluid, along with the DNA, and as the main constituent o

What are the vitamins which make up the b complex, Q. What are the vitamins...

Q. What are the vitamins which make up the B complex? Which problems does the lack of these vitamins cause? Vitamins of the B complex are: vitamin B1 or thiamin, riboflavin, or

What are stomata, What are stomata? How do these structures participate in ...

What are stomata? How do these structures participate in the plant transpiration? Stomata (singular, stoma) are small specialized passages for water and gases there in the epid

Phases of ovarian cycle, Phases of Ovarian Cycle In non-mammalian vert...

Phases of Ovarian Cycle In non-mammalian vertebrates the ovarian cycle consists of the following phase; Pre breeding phase Breeding phase and Post breedin

Calculate the level of magnesium in urine, Calculate the Level of Magnesium...

Calculate the Level of Magnesium in urine? Urinary Mg excretion decreases with Mg deficiency. Therefore, Mg excretion before and after administration of an intravenous Mg load

Define aortic regurgitation, Q. Define Aortic regurgitation? Aortic reg...

Q. Define Aortic regurgitation? Aortic regurgitation is a common valvular disease that may present chronically or acutely. Normally the integrity of valve closure depends upon

Explain dough formation, Explain Dough Formation   Gluten is the prote...

Explain Dough Formation   Gluten is the protein found in wheat. A unique property of gluten proteins of wheat grain endosperm (and  to  a   lesser extent of rye and  barley  g

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