Study Questions for Soil Management AGRY/HORT 3510 No. 1.

1.   In terms of plant production what is the practical value in knowing the soil class?

2.   Name 5 factors that can cause soil differences to appear?

3.   What processes cause weathering?

4.   Why might soils to move?

      a.   Which movements and depositions are more likely to occur in GA?

5.   What is a Soil Survey?

6.   By what means is a soil classification determined?

7.   Define “Soil Profile”

8.   Name and describe the 3 general soil horizons.

9.   What is the predominate soil order in the SE USA?

10. Indicate 4 practical uses for a Soil Survey

11. Discuss the difference between “land-use planning” and “land Capability Classes”

12. Describe how a soil’s inherent land use capability could be changed.

13. pH is the measurement of what?

14. What does it mean if the soil has a low pH?

15. Describe acid neutralization

16. What are the 3 primary causes for the formation of acid soils?

      a.   How are basic cations lost?

      b.   How are acids added?

17. Discuss the common effects of acidic soils

18. Define “lime”.

19. In what 2 ways might lime reduce acidity?

20. Define “Relative neutralizing value”.

21. On what is the effectiveness of lime dependent?

22. In theory, where in the soil should lime be placed? WHY?

      a.   Practically, where is this on turf grass? On row crops?

23. What are the 3 major theoretical means for management in acid soils

24. Indicate a number of characteristics of plants which are naturally tolerant of acid soils

25. Discuss how root exudates factor in to plant tolerance

26. Name the 3 primary factors upon which the non-tolerance of plants to acid soils depends.

27. Specifically, what are the soil factors that affect non-tolerance

28. At what pHs are H, Al and Mn toxicities most likely?

29. Discuss the effects of H toxicity

30. Discuss the effects of Al toxicity

31. Describe symptoms of AL toxicity

32. Discuss the effects of Mn toxicity

33. Describe symptoms of Mn toxicity

34. How are acid soils and the deficiencies of Basic Cations related?

35. Which basic cations are most often deficient?

36. Indicate one use for Ca and Mg in plants

37. Why is a constant supply of Ca needed during the growing season but not Mg?

38. Name 5 crops with high Ca needs and 5 with high Mg needs

39. What 3 means are used to practically reduce the effects of acid soils

40. For what 2 reasons is lime used on acid soils

41. Name 4 distinct liming materials

42. Discuss why Gypsum is used on acid soils if it doesn’t reduce acidity.

43. In what state must Organic Matter be for it to work as lime?

44. How else does OM reduce acid soil effects?

45. Discuss the issue of particle size in reference to lime application.

46. Discuss the practical application of lime on no-till, pasture or turf fields. (What’s the problem? What do you do?)

47. What is a “Lime Balance Sheet”?

48. What factors determine the amount of lime to apply?

49. Name 5 crops that prefer acid soils  and 5 that only tolerate them..

50. Which fertilizer types tend to acidify the soil? Which don’t?

51. What is an Alkaline soil?

52. How do native plants deal with alkaline soils?

53. Indicate a few characteristics of alkaline soils

54. Which nutrients are likely to be deficient? Toxic?

55. What is the primary cause of alkalinity in soils in arid regions?

56. Name 4 possible causes for alkaline soils in GA

57. What soil amendments might reduce alkalinity?

      a.   What are the 3 more common inorganic chemicals?

      b.   How can fertilizers be used in alkaline soil management?