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

Explain the endosperm of angiosperms, How different are the endosperm of gy...

How different are the endosperm of gymnosperms and the endosperm of angiosperms? In gymnosperms the endosperm is haploid (n), it is known as primary endosperm. In angiosperm th

Explain the coenzyme in enzyme catalyzed reactions, Explain the Coenzyme in...

Explain the Coenzyme in enzyme catalyzed reactions? Thiamin functions as the coenzyme thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP) in the inetabolism of carbohydrates and branched- chain amino

Different from all the other cellular microbes, How are the bacteria and th...

How are the bacteria and the archaea different from all the other cellular microbes? -They have cell walls? -They can move? -They reproduce asexually? -They have no nucleus?

Show appearance of food product, Q. Show Appearance of food product? Ap...

Q. Show Appearance of food product? Appearance can be judged by the eye. Appearance factors include such things as size, colour, uniformity, absence of any defect, shape, whole

Hemoglobin binds o2 cooperatively, Which of the following statements is cor...

Which of the following statements is correct? A. Hemoglobin binds O2 cooperatively, while myoglobin does not. B. Myoglobin binds O2 cooperatively, while hemoglobin does not.

Hormonal control by insulin, Insulin  is  released  into  the  bloodstream ...

Insulin  is  released  into  the  bloodstream by  the  β  cells  of  the  pancreas  when blood glucose stages are high after feeding and stimulates glycogen synthesis to kept exces

What is meant by substrates of enzymatic reactions, Substrates are reagent ...

Substrates are reagent molecules upon which enzymes act. The enzyme has spatial binding sites for the attachment of its substrate. These sites are known as activation centers of

Statistical measures - population, Statistical Measures - Population A...

Statistical Measures - Population A population has a number of group characteristics that are statistical measures unique to the population group and are not the characteristi

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