USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Soils

All of these questions can be answered using your textbook and the readings from this week. You can use the text, the internet, or your instructor for help.

Reading:
• Plaster (2014) – Chapters 7, 8, and 9 – https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305560413/cfi/8!/4/2/12/16/10/2/2@0:6.65

Additional Resources

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Soils
URL: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/soils/home/

National Weather Service Soil Moisture Monitor
URL: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Soilmst_Monitoring/US/Soilmst/Soilmst.shtml
https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781305560413/cfi/8!/4/2/12/16/10/2/2@0:6.65

1). Which of the following is NOT a commonly accepted rule for determining whether an element is essential?

A.the element is directly involved in plant nutrition
B.the element needs only to be in trace supply
C.a lack of the element stops plant growth or reproduction
D.a shortage of the element can only be corrected by supplying the element

2). Ions can be:

A.all of these
B.anions
C.none of these
D.cations
E.atoms

3). Which of the terms below refers to the reactions of carbonates with water to form hydroxyl ions?

A.salinity
B.alkalinity
C.carbonation
D.hydrolysis

4). What are the 3 main benefits of liming?

5). Which of the following is NOT an effect of soil salt?

A.reduced energy for plant growth
B.nutrient imbalances
C.accumulations of toxic levels of certain elements in plant tissues
D.extremely high pH
E.soil dryness
F.reduced soil water availability
G.root stress

6). _________, ________, and __________ are sometimes referred to as the 3 fertilizer elements.

7). Ions of nutrient elements that can react with other ions in solution to form new, less soluble compounds are said to ___________.

8). Which type of pH is caused by the reaction of water and basic compounds of calcium, magnesium, and sodium to form hydroxide ions?

A.high
B.low
C.neutral

9). Explain soil fertility factors. Be detailed and specific. Use your text, but don’t use direct quotes. Explain it in your own words.

10). Describe the nitrogen cycle. Be detailed and specific, but use your own words, not direct quotes from the text. Be sure to include all of the appropriate pools, processes, and forms of nitrogen.