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

Can you explain vestibular system, Q. What is the vestibular system? How do...

Q. What is the vestibular system? How does it operate? The vestibular system is the part of the ear that participates in the regulation and control of the equilibrium of the bo

Nutrition, mode of nutrition in tapeworm

mode of nutrition in tapeworm

Food and diet, 3 main ways in which the body uses food

3 main ways in which the body uses food

Enteric infectious viral disease, Match each item in Column A with the corr...

Match each item in Column A with the corresponding item in Column B regarding infectious diseases Column A Column B a. Pulmonary tuberculosis i. Enteric infectious protozoan diseas

Can you describe about hematosis, Q. What is hematosis? In humans where doe...

Q. What is hematosis? In humans where does hematosis occur? Hematosis is the oxygenation of the blood, venous blood (oxygen-poor) after hematosis is transformed into arterial b

Explain about bimodal diurnal pattern, Explain about bimodal diurnal patter...

Explain about bimodal diurnal pattern Animals that show a bimodal diurnal pattern have their activity controlled by two biological clocks -  one that controls the time of onset

Relation of water content to functions, Relation of Water Content to Functi...

Relation of Water Content to Functions If an aquatic plant appearing turgid is removed from water and left in the open, it quickly wilts. The water content of the leaves may

Define the term price mechanism and its working, Define the term price mech...

Define the term price mechanism and how it works. The price mechanism and its working: The above demonstrated diagram assumes the market is into equilibrium, whereby deman

Define features of male and female ascaris lumbricoides, Define Features of...

Define Features of male and female ascaris lumbricoides? i)  Ascaris  lumbricoides is  commonly called  round worm. ii)  Body  is elongated, cylindrical,  tapering at  bot

Explain the air sampling, Explain the Air Sampling? Microorganisms may ...

Explain the Air Sampling? Microorganisms may be present in air of processing facility and have an impact on the quality and safety of foods processed and handled there. To avoi

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