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Homework
Soil, Water and Plant Nutrients
Chapter 2
Name ___________________________
Date ____________________________
1. How is soil produced?
2. Approximately what percentage of the following constitutes bulk soil?
a) minerals and organic material ___________
b) water ___________
c) air ___________
3. True or False
The addition of decomposed organic matter to the soil can dramatically increase the soils water holding capacity?
4. List some of the physical characteristics of soil.
5. The color of soil can indicate various soil conditions. What could be said about:
a) dark soil
b) light or pale colored soil
c) red or brown subsoil?
d) yellow subsoil?
6. Which three ingredients make up the texture of soil? Order them from smallest particle size to largest.
7. List the major six soil textures in Texas.
8. Explain the difference between soil texture and soil structure.
9. a) What term is used to define the measurement of downward drainage through the soil?
b) What term is used to define the measurement of drainage across the surface of the soil?
10. Why would it be detrimental to most plants if the soil drainage is poor causing too much water to be retained in the soil?
11. List three benefits of adding organic matter to the soil.
1.
2.
3.
12. Why is it better to amend soil with decomposed organic matter, such as compost instead of undecomposed organic matter?
13. What are some of the advantages of growing cover crops?
14. What do soil microorganisms such as protozoa, bacteria and fungi have in common with macroorganisms such as earthworms?
15. The regular addition of organic mulches works to:
a) Improve the internal structure of the soil
b) Reduce extreme fluctuations in soil temperature and moisture levels
c) Control weeds
d) All of the above
16. The water holding capacity of soil depends on its texture and structure. Which of the dominant Texas soil types has the highest water holding capacity and which has the lowest?
17. pH is used to measure how acidic or alkaline a soil is.
a) As the pH decreases, does the acidity increase or decrease?
b) As the pH increases, does the alkalinity increase or decrease?
c) What is the neutral pH range? __________
18. Why is soil pH important for plant health?
19. Not all plants prefer the same pH level. It is possible to raise or lower the pH of the soil to accommodate specific plants.
a) Would adding sulfur to the soil raise or lower the pH?
b) Would adding wood ashes to the soil raise or lower the pH?
20. If a bag of fertilizer is labeled 10-‐20-‐15, what does each number represent?
21. Assume your soil analysis indicates that you need to apply 2 lbs of Nitrogen per 1000 square feet. You have a bag of fertilizer with a 20-‐0-‐0 analysis. Your garden area measures 40ft by 80ft. How many pounds of fertilizer do you need to apply?
22. What constitutes a complete fertilizer?
23. What is an organic fertilizer?
24. What problems can occ
25. What is leaching and why is it important for container grown plants?
26. In general what does each of the three major nutrients in a complete fertilizer do for a plant?
1. Nitrogen -‐
2. Phosphorus -‐
3. Potassium -‐
27. What are five methods of applying fertilizer?
1. ___________________________ 4. _____________________________
2. ___________________________ 5. _____________________________
3. ___________________________
28. Why is it a good idea to have your soil tested?
29. How does runoff from a lawn that had too much fertilizer applied contribute to pollution in a body of water?
30. To conserve water, when are the best times to water your lawn and why?