Soil Science and Fertility Flashcards
6 cards from real Agronomy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Soil Science and Fertility flashcards as text
Soil organic matter improves soil structure primarily by doing what?
Answer: Promoting aggregate formation
Organic matter binds soil particles into aggregates, improving aeration, water infiltration, and tilth.
Which micronutrient deficiency commonly appears as interveinal chlorosis on young leaves?
Answer: Iron
Iron deficiency causes interveinal chlorosis on young leaves because iron is immobile in plants.
What does the term 'base saturation' refer to in soil science?
Answer: Percentage of CEC occupied by base cations
Base saturation is the percentage of a soil's CEC occupied by basic cations such as Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺.
Which soil order is commonly found in the Corn Belt and is highly productive for agriculture?
Answer: Mollisol
Mollisols have thick, dark, organic-rich A horizons and high natural fertility, making them ideal for corn and soybean production.
Liming a soil primarily corrects which soil problem?
Answer: Excessive acidity
Agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) neutralizes soil acidity by reacting with hydrogen ions to raise pH.
What is the main form of nitrogen taken up by most crops from the soil?
Answer: Ammonium and nitrate
Most crops absorb nitrogen primarily as ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions from the soil solution.