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

Determine the term - origin of life on earth, Based on your reading of the ...

Based on your reading of the article "Origin of Life on Earth" which of the following is a false statement regarding how life developed? A. As proteins are needed for the repli

Loop of henle, Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NON...

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

Can you define factor viii, Q. What is factor VIII? What is the genetic dis...

Q. What is factor VIII? What is the genetic disease in which this factor is absent? Factor VIII has the function of activating factor X that in its turn is necessary for the tr

What would its new ph be if the concentration of h3o ion, If a solution has...

If a solution has a pH of 7.5, what would its new pH be if the concentration of H 3 O ions in the solution were increased by 100 times? Explain your reasoning. As a tenfold inc

Explain karyotype - animal taxonomy, Explain Karyotype - Animal Taxonomy? ...

Explain Karyotype - Animal Taxonomy? In animals systematic, it is the karyotype, that is the chromosome number and structure which are used quite extensively either separately

Illustrate about urine of humans, Urine Normal urine is clear, yellow i...

Urine Normal urine is clear, yellow in colour, slightly acidic. Urine consists of 96% water and 4% solids like urea, uric acid, urates, chlorides, phosphates, oxalates, sulphat

What is the relationship between hypothesis and a theory, What is the relat...

What is the relationship between the following scientific terms: hypothesis, a theory, and a natural law?

What are the enzyme cofactors, Q. What are the enzyme cofactors? Some o...

Q. What are the enzyme cofactors? Some of enzymes require other associated molecules to work. These molecules are known as enzyme cofactors and they can be, for example, organi

Mixed mitral stenosis and regurgitation, Mixed Mitral Stenosis and Regurgit...

Mixed Mitral Stenosis and Regurgitation The most common cause for a combined lesion is rheumatic, Very rarely; it could be of congenital origin. Regurgitation in a stenotic val

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