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

Natural and artificial ecosystem, Natural and Artificial Ecosystem i) N...

Natural and Artificial Ecosystem i) Natural ecosystems are those which are mostly free from human disturbances, such as tropical forests, grasslands, oceans, lakes and deserts.

Remove the crown for reuse-endodontics principles, Remove the crown for reu...

Remove the crown for reuse - If the decision is made to remove the crown for reuse - The visibility is increased - Allowing for much easier removal of canal obstructions -

Typical conformation of the age pyramids, Q. What is the typical conformati...

Q. What is the typical conformation of the age pyramids of underdeveloped countries? The age pyramids of the peripheral countries or the underdeveloped countries have character

What is the life cycle of the hookworms, What is the life cycle of the hook...

What is the life cycle of the hookworms? Adult hookworms within the human intestine release eggs that are eliminated with the human feces. Under adequate conditions of moisture

Management for poisoning and overdose, Management  for Poisoning  and Ove...

Management  for Poisoning  and Overdose: The following data should be obtained at the time of initial contact.  Phone Number:  getting the caller's telephone number  is n

Simple lipids, SIMPLE  LIPIDS They are lipids formed of fatty acids an...

SIMPLE  LIPIDS They are lipids formed of fatty acids and alcohol without any additional group. e.g. fats or true fats,wax,cutin, suberin. Simple lipids are mainly of 2 types

General preventive measures for animals, GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES - ...

GENERAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES - 1.      Infected animal should be immediately isolated and looked after. 2.      The premises should be disinfected whenever there is an outbre

Estrogens, Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Express the term - aboral surface, In radially symmetric animals there is n...

In radially symmetric animals there is no posterior, or anterior, right sides to the animal. Rather we refer to two sides of the animal by referring to the location of the mouth. I

Human milk composition and infant growth and development, Explain the Human...

Explain the Human Milk Composition and Infant Growth and Development? This sub-section deals with composition of human milk, compares human milk with cow's milk and why human m

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