What is are the benefits of loose soil on the basis of aeration of soil, percolation rate and the advantageous part of the crop?
What is are the benefits of loose soil on the basis of aeration of soil, percolation rate and the advantageous part of the crop?
Importance of Soil Aeration
1. Plant and root growth: Soil aeration is an important factor in the normal growth of plants. The supply of oxygen to roots in adequate quantities and the removal of CO2 from the soil atmosphere are very essential for healthy plant growth.
When the supply of oxygen is inadequate, the plant growth either retards or ceases completely as the accumulated CO2 hampers the growth of plant roots. The abnormal effect of insufficient aeration on root development is most noticeable on the root crops. Abnormally shaped roots of these plants are common on the compact and poorly aerated soils. The penetration and development of root are poor. Such undeveloped root system cannot absorb sufficient moisture and nutrients from the soil
2. Microorganism population and activity: The microorganisms living in the soil also require oxygen for respiration and metabolism. Some of the important microbial activities such as the decomposition of organic matter, nitrification, Sulphur oxidation etc depend upon oxygen present in the soil air. The deficiency of air (oxygen) in soil slows down the rate of microbial activity.
For example, the decomposition of organic matter is retarded and nitrification arrested. The microorganism population is also drastically affected by poor aeration.
3. Formation of toxic material: Poor aeration results in the development of toxin and other injurious substances such as ferrous oxide, H2S gas, CO2 gas etc in the soil.
4. Water and nutrient absorption: A deficiency of oxygen has been found to check the nutrient and water absorption by plants. The energy of respiration is utilized in absorption of water and nutrients. Under poor aeration condition (this condition may arise when soil is water logged), plants exhibit water and nutrient deficiency
5. Development of plant diseases: Insufficient aeration of the soil also leads to the development of diseases. For example, wilt of gram and dieback of citrus and peach.
Importance of percolation rate
Purpose: To determine the rate at which water passes through your soil sample. This rate is called the percolation rate and is important in farming, gardening, and leach field construction.
Importance of Soil Aeration
1. Plant and root growth: Soil aeration is an important factor in the normal growth of plants. The supply of oxygen to roots in adequate quantities and the removal of CO2 from the soil atmosphere are very essential for healthy plant growth.
When the supply of oxygen is inadequate, the plant growth either retards or ceases completely as the accumulated CO2 hampers the growth of plant roots. The abnormal effect of insufficient aeration on root development is most noticeable on the root crops. Abnormally shaped roots of these plants are common on the compact and poorly aerated soils. The penetration and development of root are poor. Such undeveloped root system cannot absorb sufficient moisture and nutrients from the soil
2. Microorganism population and activity: The microorganisms living in the soil also require oxygen for respiration and metabolism. Some of the important microbial activities such as the decomposition of organic matter, nitrification, Sulphur oxidation etc depend upon oxygen present in the soil air. The deficiency of air (oxygen) in soil slows down the rate of microbial activity.
For example, the decomposition of organic matter is retarded and nitrification arrested. The microorganism population is also drastically affected by poor aeration.
3. Formation of toxic material: Poor aeration results in the development of toxin and other injurious substances such as ferrous oxide, H2S gas, CO2 gas etc in the soil.
4. Water and nutrient absorption: A deficiency of oxygen has been found to check the nutrient and water absorption by plants. The energy of respiration is utilized in absorption of water and nutrients. Under poor aeration condition (this condition may arise when soil is water logged), plants exhibit water and nutrient deficiency
5. Development of plant diseases: Insufficient aeration of the soil also leads to the development of diseases. For example, wilt of gram and dieback of citrus and peach.
Importance of percolation rate
Purpose: To determine the rate at which water passes through your soil sample. This rate is called the percolation rate and is important in farming, gardening, and leach field construction.
