Some chemical fertilizers harden the soil and reduce aeration. Nitrate of soda is a typical offender. In yearly applications of this fertilizer, plants use up much of the nitrate but little of the soda. This keeps piling up in the soil, and combines with carbon to form carbonate of soda (washing soda). Where large amounts of nitrate of soda are used, the soil can become so hard that it can be cultivated only after a rain.
Fine-textured soils have a large proportion of pore space, but since the space is filled with micro pores that can hold water, the soil can easily become waterlogged. In silt loam soils in good condition, the total pore space is often nearly 50 percent of the total and is likely to be shared evenly by water and air.
Soil aeration is directly related to the porosity of the soil. Proper aeration of the soil is important to proper plant growth. Well- aerated soil consists of a large proportion of macro pores, allowing sufficient quantities of the right gases to be available to aerobic organisms to encourage best functioning and growth.
Poor aeration results in a decrease in the activity of soil microorganisms. When oxidation of organic matter slows, aerobic organisms are unable to function properly. Higher plants are adversely affected in several ways. Root and top growth is slowed, absorption of nutrients and water is decreased and certain inorganic compounds toxic to plant growth may form.
The subsoiler made by many tractor manufacturers is pulled through the soil at depths of ten to 20 inches, shattering hard pans and improving aeration. The soil must not be wet when subsoiling is going on or the hard pan will not be broken.
A legume crop is a good natural subsoiler on soil with a high enough oxygen content to support it. Alfalfa roots have been known to go down 15 feet or more. The decaying roots of this crop after harvest provide air passage ways to very low depths.
Even the vital iron, which has been there all the time (the red in adobe is iron oxide), and the locked-up phosphates may be freed to some extent.
They should be supplemented, however, by using ground phosphate rock, and, if iron-deficiency symptoms appear, by the application of acid organic materials such as peat moss, sawdust and oak leaves. - 16887
Fine-textured soils have a large proportion of pore space, but since the space is filled with micro pores that can hold water, the soil can easily become waterlogged. In silt loam soils in good condition, the total pore space is often nearly 50 percent of the total and is likely to be shared evenly by water and air.
Soil aeration is directly related to the porosity of the soil. Proper aeration of the soil is important to proper plant growth. Well- aerated soil consists of a large proportion of macro pores, allowing sufficient quantities of the right gases to be available to aerobic organisms to encourage best functioning and growth.
Poor aeration results in a decrease in the activity of soil microorganisms. When oxidation of organic matter slows, aerobic organisms are unable to function properly. Higher plants are adversely affected in several ways. Root and top growth is slowed, absorption of nutrients and water is decreased and certain inorganic compounds toxic to plant growth may form.
The subsoiler made by many tractor manufacturers is pulled through the soil at depths of ten to 20 inches, shattering hard pans and improving aeration. The soil must not be wet when subsoiling is going on or the hard pan will not be broken.
A legume crop is a good natural subsoiler on soil with a high enough oxygen content to support it. Alfalfa roots have been known to go down 15 feet or more. The decaying roots of this crop after harvest provide air passage ways to very low depths.
Even the vital iron, which has been there all the time (the red in adobe is iron oxide), and the locked-up phosphates may be freed to some extent.
They should be supplemented, however, by using ground phosphate rock, and, if iron-deficiency symptoms appear, by the application of acid organic materials such as peat moss, sawdust and oak leaves. - 16887
About the Author:
Aeration in soils is important for proper plant growth. To obtain more tips on gardening, please visit our site for free gardening tips, advice and information.
No comments:
Post a Comment