Organic Fertilizers: Seaweed
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- Created on Thursday, 04 October 2012 17:38
- Written by John K
Seaweed is a fantastic soil or compost ammendment What is it?Seaweed is a general term for any of the multi-celled ocean algae.What is the primary benefit?Seaweed is a great source of organic matter for our compost and our soil. It is full of beneficial trace minerals, plant growth hormones, and fully-chelated (that means readily absorbed) micro-nutrients. Depending on where we live, we may h
Factors Controlling Soil Reactions
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- Created on Thursday, 20 September 2012 17:41
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
Soil reaction varies due to following factors 1. Nature of soil colloids: The colloidal particles of the soil influence soil reaction to a very greatest extent. When hydrogen (H+) ion forms the predominant adsorbed cations on clay colloids, the soil reaction becomes acid. 2. Soil solution: The soil solution carries a number of salts dissolved in capillary water. The cations of the salts intermingl
Influence of Soil Reaction on Availability of Nutrients
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- Created on Thursday, 20 September 2012 17:36
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
The unproductiveness of acid and alkali soils is very often due to the lack of available plant nutrients. In highly acid soils (low pH), the availability of some of the nutrients such as aluminum, iron, manganese etc., is increased to a point to become toxic to the plant. At the same time the supplies of available calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus etc., are reduced to starvation level (become unavaila
Active Soil Forming Factors
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 16:24
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
The active soil forming factors are those which supply energy that acts on the mass for the purpose of soil formation. These factors are climate and vegetation (biosphere). 1. Climate: Climate is the most significant factor controlling the type and rate of soil formation. The dominant climates recognized are: - Arid climate: The precipitation here is far less than the water-need. Hence the soils r
Soil Forming Processes
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 16:21
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
The pedogenic processes, although slow in terms of human life, yet work faster than the geological processes in changing lifeless parent material into true soil full of life. The pedogenic processes are extremely complex and dynamic involving many chemical and biological reactions, and usually operate simultaneously in a given area. One process may counteract another, or two different processe
Fundamental Soil forming Processes
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 16:02
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
Humification: Humification is the process of transformation of raw organic matter into humus. It is extremely a complex process involving various organisms. First, simple compounds such as sugars and starches are attacked followed by proteins and cellulose and finally very resistant compounds, such as tannins, are decomposed and the dark coloured substance, known as humus, is formed. Eluviation: I
Specific Soil Forming Processes
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 15:58
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
The basic pedologic processes provide a framework for later operation of more specific processes Calcification: It is the process of precipitation and accumulation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in some part of the profile. The accumulation of CaCO3 may result in the development of a calcic horizon. Calcium is readily soluble in acid soil water and/or when CO2 concentration is high in root zone as:
Development of Soil Profile
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 15:53
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
The development of soil profile is a constructive process where in disintegrated material resulted from weathering of rocks and minerals gets converted into a soil body. Definition of soil profile: The vertical section of the soil showing the various layers from the surface to the unaffected parent material is known as a soil profile. The various layers are known as horizons. A soil profile contai
Physical Properties of Soil
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- Created on Friday, 07 September 2012 15:47
- Written by http://www.agriinfo.in
Physical properties (mechanical behaviour) of a soil greatly influence its use and behaviour towards plant growth. The plant support, root penetration, drainage, aeration, retention of moisture, and plant nutrients are linked with the physical condition of the soil. Physical properties also influence the chemical and biological behaviour of soil. The physical properties of a soil depend on the amo