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

The skin, what is vaso-constriction

what is vaso-constriction

Objectives of counselling technique of diabetic patient, - Highlight the is...

- Highlight the issues related to diabetes mellitus. - Apply different types of counselling skills to counsel patient with Diabetes and their family members - Develop pre-req

What is the imporatnce of food preservation, Imporatnce of food preservatio...

Imporatnce of food preservation These include: increased shelf-life decreased hazards from microbial pathogen decreased spoilage (microbial, enzymatic) in

How organic farming differ from traditional farming, Recently, the media ha...

Recently, the media have promoted the idea of consuming only locally grown, organic produce. Are there any nutritional values that might be present in locally grown produce that mi

Glucagon and glucocorticoids, Important  aspects  related to regulation inc...

Important  aspects  related to regulation include: 1)  The hormones glucagon and glucocorticoids  which are  secreted  during  starvation stimulate  glucose-6-phosphatase to en

How is the ovulation date estimated, How is the ovulation date estimated wi...

How is the ovulation date estimated with the control of the woman's body temperature? One method to estimate the exact ovulation day is daily control of the body temperature ta

Sporogenous tissue, complete definition of Sporogenous tissue

complete definition of Sporogenous tissue

How does the amoeboid movement occur, Q How does the amoeboid movement occu...

Q How does the amoeboid movement occur and what are examples of beings and cells that use such movements for locomotion? Amoeboid movements are created by cytoplasmic movements

Sausage manufacture - meat products, Sa u s a g e manufacture Saus...

Sa u s a g e manufacture Sausage enjoys a prime place among various meat products. Major advancements in processing technology (rapid curing, hot processing, use of solubl

Nutrition, what is the mode of nutrition in tape worm

what is the mode of nutrition in tape worm

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