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 food hydrocolloids, What are food hydrocolloids? Food hydroco...

What are food hydrocolloids? Food hydrocolloids are hydrophilic polymers of vegetable, animal, microbial or synthetic origin that generally contain many hydroxyl groups and ma

What characteristics distinguish fungi from plants, What characteristics di...

What characteristics distinguish fungi from plants? Fungi contain some unicellular forms, but plants do not; most plants are autotrophic, but all fungi are heterotrophic. Fungi

Environment , Environment All organisms are intimately dependent on the ...

Environment All organisms are intimately dependent on the environment from which they derive their sustenance. Organisms from virus to man are obligatorily dependent on the envi

Chemical substances that compose the plasma membrane, What are the chemical...

What are the chemical substances that compose the plasma membrane? Ans) The major constituents of the plasma membrane are phospholipids, proteins and carbohydrates. The phosphol

Define ziehl-neelsen staining technique, Define Ziehl-Neelsen Staining Tech...

Define Ziehl-Neelsen Staining Technique? Ziehl-Neelsen staining is used for staining these bacteria. The technique was discovered first by Robert Koch during his pioneering inv

Determine the function of iron for athletes, Determine the function of Iron...

Determine the function of Iron for athletes? Iron carries oxygen and is another important mineral for athletes. It also affects oxygen transport and aerobic metabolism as a com

Determine the types of plant sources - natural colourants, Determine the pa...

Determine the parts of plant source The natural food colourants from plant sources are classified into 5 types: a) Anthocyanins, b) Betalaines, c) Carotenoids, d) C

Determine the parts consists in our urinary system, Determine the parts con...

Determine the parts consists in Our urinary system Our urinary system consists of following:  Two kidneys  Two ureters  One urinary bladder  One urethra Apart fr

Fungi, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus species are the most common of the...

Candida albicans, and Aspergillus species are the most common of the many fungal organisms identified as causing IE. Fungal endocarditis arises in specific settings. Valve replace

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