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 two big groups into which cells are classified, Cells are clas...

Cells are classified into eukaryotic or prokaryotic. Prokaryotic cell is that with no a delimited nucleus. Eukaryotic cells are those with nucleus delimited by membrane.

Explain about the pulse vaccination, Explain about the Pulse vaccination? ...

Explain about the Pulse vaccination? How many doses of a given vaccine, administered to what people and on what schedule, permit eradication or control of an infectious disease

Explain the reduction in cancer risk, Explain the Reduction in cancer risk?...

Explain the Reduction in cancer risk? Different cancers, especially colon and breast cancer, has been linked not only to phytates but also to protease inhibitors. In vitro stud

Regents for estimation of reducing sugar by fehling soxhlet, Define Regents...

Define Regents for Estimation of Reducing Sugar by Fehling Soxhlet Method? Fehling A solution - copper sulphate solution Fehling B solution - alkaline tartarate so

How do contraceptive pills generally work, Q. How do contraceptive pills ge...

Q. How do contraceptive pills generally work? Contraceptive pills generally contain the hormones progesterone and estrogen. If taken daily from the 4th day after menses the abn

Determine some dietary sources of vitamin c, Determine some Dietary Sources...

Determine some Dietary Sources of Vitamin C? Fruits (particularly citrus fruits), vegetables are the best sources of ascorbic acid. Amla is the richest source of ascorbic acid.

What is mendels second law, What is Mendel's second law? Mendel's seco...

What is Mendel's second law? Mendel's second law postulates that two or more different traits are also conditioned by two or more pair of dissimilar factors and that each inhe

What is bidirectional superior cavopulmonary shunt, What is Bidirectional S...

What is Bidirectional Superior Cavopulmonary Shunt-Bidirectional Glenn Shunt ? Hospital mortality is between 5 and 10 per cent. Early palliation is very good with arterial sat

Define agar syringe or agar sausage method, Define Agar Syringe/Agar Sausag...

Define Agar Syringe/Agar Sausage Method? Agar syringe method involves 100 ml syringe, which is filled with agar. A layer of agar is pushed beyond the end of the barrel by means

Aspergillosis, Aspergillosis Aspergillosis is the most common chronic,...

Aspergillosis Aspergillosis is the most common chronic, granulomatous, necrotizing and cavitary disease of lungs, and is characterized by formation of white yellowish caseous

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