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 are coacervates, What are coacervates what property do they have that ...

What are coacervates what property do they have that suggests they could be a primitive cell.

Explain the physical methods to control microorganisms, Explain the Physica...

Explain the Physical Methods to Control Microorganisms? The physical methods to control microorganisms involve heat, filtration or radiations. Figure illustrates these methods.

The main causes of the loss of biological diversity, What are the main caus...

What are the main causes of the loss of biological diversity nowadays? The biggest dangers to biological diversity today are the action of humans. The most of them is the destr

Explain about conjugated proteins, Conjugated Proteins Conjugated prote...

Conjugated Proteins Conjugated proteins are composed of easy proteins combined with a non- proteinous substance.  The non-proteinous substance is known as prosthetic group o

Explaintransketolase, ExplainTransketolase Transketolase with the help...

ExplainTransketolase Transketolase with the help of TPP  and Mg ++   is  required again. This  time  it  transfers carbon 1+2 from xylulose-5-phosphate  to erythrose-4-phospha

Pre-embryo - human development, Pre-Embryo - Human Development About t...

Pre-Embryo - Human Development About thirty hours after fertilization the zygote goes through mitosis giving rise to 2 blastomeres. These blastomeres go through further cleava

Syringe, Can you use a regular syringe instead of a gas syringe in a lab

Can you use a regular syringe instead of a gas syringe in a lab

Planning and implementing nursing care - acute renal failure, Planning the ...

Planning the Nursing Care Monitor fluid intake and urinary output  Administer drugs as advised/prescribed  Monitor the child on dialysis  Provide therapeutic diet

Explain therapeutic diets, Explain Therapeutic diets Therapeutic diets ...

Explain Therapeutic diets Therapeutic diets are adaptations of the normal or  regular diet.  In other words, it is a diet  for a patient suffering  from a  specific disease  su

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