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 the major plant tissues, What are the major plant tissues that for...

What are the major plant tissues that form the rings observed on stem sections of some trees? The rings observed on a stem cross section of the dicot trees are made of conducti

How can you get a replacement, The book that I rented is missing some pages...

The book that I rented is missing some pages. How can i get a replacement?

Explain hormonal proteins, Explain Hormonal proteins Hormonal proteins ...

Explain Hormonal proteins Hormonal proteins coordinate the bodily activities. Various peptide and protein hormones (such as insulin and growth hormone) carry information tha

Define gluconeogenesis, What is gluconeogenesis? Highlight its significance...

What is gluconeogenesis? Highlight its significance giving any two examples Gluconeogenesis (i.e synthesis of new glucose) is the synthesis of carbohydrate from non-carbohydrat

What is the diameter of this nucleus, By bombarding atoms in a thin metal s...

By bombarding atoms in a thin metal sheet with energetic particles, Rutherford found that most of the mass of an atom is concentrated inside a very small volume. What is the diamet

What is normalisation of inverted t-waves?, Q. What is Normalisation of Inv...

Q. What is Normalisation of Inverted T-Waves? In patients with flat or inverted T-waves at rest, the evolution to an upright T-wave has been considered by some to be a sign of

Male reproductive disorders-congenital impotentia genarandi, Congenital imp...

Congenital impotentia genarandi Some bulls which are otherwise normal and healthy produce semen containing spermatozoa with specific morphological abnormalities together with

Valve thrombosis-complications of prosthetic valves, Valve Thrombosis :  ...

Valve Thrombosis :  Valve thrombosis causes sudden deterioration of the patient's haemodyarnics. A stuck valve may produce both stenosis and incompetence. If diagnosed early s

Explain whipping foam method, Explain Whipping foam method? Whipping is...

Explain Whipping foam method? Whipping is the most common method used as it forms bubbles by cutting the surface and introducing air into liquid.  Repeated action makes the

Causes of gerd, In addition, pregnancy or constipation may worsen GERD by i...

In addition, pregnancy or constipation may worsen GERD by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Secondary causes of GERD include reflux caused by acid hypersecretory states, connec

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