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

Chronic complications of diabetes, Q. Chronic complications of diabetes? ...

Q. Chronic complications of diabetes? These occur gradually when the diabetics do not monitor the blood sugar and they are careless about eating, exercise and the medications a

State the term - infection, State the term - Infection Infection is th...

State the term - Infection Infection is the invasion of the body by disease-producing (pathogenic) microorganisms and the reaction of the tissues to their presence and to the

Fuel requirements - deforestation, Fuel Requirements - Deforestation T...

Fuel Requirements - Deforestation The increasing demand for fuel wood is one of the major factors leading to the degradation of the forest ecosystem. Fuel wood is of such majo

What is coevolution, What is Coevolution ? There is considerable eviden...

What is Coevolution ? There is considerable evidence that supports an interesting theory that two individual species can affect each others evolution in reciprocal fashion. In

Plasmid, Plasmid  is the class of the circular, extrachromosomal, autonomou...

Plasmid  is the class of the circular, extrachromosomal, autonomously replicating, DNA elements found in number of bacteria. Contain origins of the replication to ensure their main

What are the parathyroids, Q. What are the parathyroids? Where are they loc...

Q. What are the parathyroids? Where are they located and what are the hormones secreted by these glands? The parathyroids are four small glands embedded two in each posterior f

Six kingdom worksheet, what protist changes shape constantly and flows arou...

what protist changes shape constantly and flows around its food to engulf it?

Animalia, porifera characteractericts

porifera characteractericts

Animal kingdom, i need information about speen of animals and stuff like th...

i need information about speen of animals and stuff like that for example a cheetah speed

Oil seed meals as source of limiting amino acids, Oil seed meals as source ...

Oil seed meals as source of limiting amino acids Generally ruminants are not perceived to have a requirement for essential amino acids as the rumen microbes can synthesis esse

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