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

Zoology, give an account of specific characters of phylum porifera

give an account of specific characters of phylum porifera

Write the meaning of metabolism, Q. Write the meaning of Metabolism? Me...

Q. Write the meaning of Metabolism? Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur in living organisms in order to maintain life. These processes allow organisms to gro

Define treatment and management of adverse food reactions, Define Treatment...

Define Treatment and Management of Adverse Food Reactions? Management of adverse food reactions involves diagnosing the problem followed by nutritional and medical care.

Gametogenesis - human development, Gametogenesis - Human Development G...

Gametogenesis - Human Development Gametogenesis as you are responsive is the process of formation and development of specialized reproductive cells, ova in females and sperms

What are anteromedial aspects of temporal lobes, Q. What are anteromedial a...

Q. What are anteromedial aspects of temporal lobes? Olfactory Cortex - found in anteromedial aspects of temporal lobes receive sensory information directly from the olfactory n

Explain about fish epidermis, How different is the fish epidermis from the ...

How different is the fish epidermis from the amphibian epidermis? The fish epidermis is very thin and having mucus-secreting cells. The fish skin does not present keratin. The

Handling animals in lab, Handling : The desire for survival is same whethe...

Handling : The desire for survival is same whether in animals or human beings. You may be aware of the ability of even tiny animals to scratch and bite. So we won't say any more o

If comparing brain of vertebrates then relative size would b, In a comparis...

In a comparison of brain found in lower classes of vertebrates to the brain in higher classes of vertebrate's area showing most increase in relative size is: a) Optic lobe b

Phylum protozoa, What is the classification of this phylum

What is the classification of this phylum

Human factor theory - accident causation, Human Factor Theory - Accident Ca...

Human Factor Theory - Accident Causation This theory of accident causation suggests that a chain of events caused by human error is the cause of accident. The chain of events

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