Soils & Crop Growth (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Flashcards
Exam code: 0680
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- FrontComposition of Soils
Define mineral particles.
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Cards in this collection (53)
Define mineral particles.
Mineral particles are small pieces of weathered rock in the soil.
Which mineral particle in soil is the largest?
Sand is the largest mineral particle in soil.
Silt particles feel and hold water better than sand.
Silt particles feel smooth and hold water better than sand.
Define organic content.
Organic content is the living and once-living material in the soil.
True or False?
Clay particles feel gritty.
False.
Clay particles feel sticky when wet; sand is the particle that feels gritty.
What forms when dead plants and animals decompose in soil?
Dead plants and animals decompose to form humus.
Which gas do soil air spaces supply to plant roots?
Soil air spaces supply oxygen to plant roots and soil organisms.
What role do fungi play in soil?
Fungi break down dead material in the soil.
True or False?
A sandy soil holds more water than a clay soil.
False.
The water a soil holds depends on its texture: clay holds more water and sand holds less.
Soil organisms release carbon dioxide into soil air spaces through .
Soil organisms release carbon dioxide into soil air spaces through respiration.
How does soil water supply nutrients to plants?
Soil water carries dissolved nutrients, such as nitrates and phosphates, which plants absorb through their roots.
How does organic content benefit the soil?
Organic content helps the soil hold nutrients and water.
How does sand help prevent waterlogging?
Sand drains quickly, so water does not build up in the soil.
Define pore spaces.
Pore spaces are the gaps between soil particles, filled with air or water.
Nitrate ions support healthy leaf and growth in crops.
Nitrate ions support healthy leaf and stem growth in crops.
True or False?
Most crops grow best in alkaline soils.
False.
Most crops grow best in neutral or slightly acidic soils.
Which inorganic ion supports root development in crops?
Phosphate ions support root development and energy transfer in crops.
Define loam.
Loam is a soil that contains a balanced mix of sand, silt and clay.
Why do crop roots need oxygen in the soil?
Crop roots need oxygen for respiration, which releases energy for growth and nutrient uptake.
True or False?
Heavy clay soils are easier to plough than sandy soils.
False.
Sandy soils are easier to plough; heavy clay soils are harder to work and may delay planting.
What can poor soil aeration cause in crop roots?
Poor soil aeration can cause root rot and slow crop growth.
Potassium ions help crops form flowers and fruit and resist .
Potassium ions help crops form flowers and fruit and resist disease.
How do alkaline soils affect nutrient uptake?
Alkaline soils can reduce the uptake of important ions such as iron.
How do the small pores in loam help crops?
The small pores in loam trap moisture without waterlogging, so crops have water during dry periods.
True or False?
Loam stores very few inorganic ions.
False.
Loam is effective at storing inorganic ions such as nitrate, phosphate and potassium.
Why is loam easy to cultivate?
Loam is easy to cultivate because it is crumbly and soft.
How does humus benefit crop growth?
Humus improves soil structure and fertility and helps the soil hold nutrients and moisture for strong roots.
Define weather.
Weather is the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere in a particular place.
Which factors make up the weather?
Weather includes temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover and sunlight.
True or False?
The weather stays the same throughout a single day.
False.
Weather can change quickly within the same day, for example from a sunny morning to a rainy afternoon.
Define wet season.
A wet season is a period of the year with heavy and frequent rainfall.
Which type of wind influences many regions that have a wet season?
Monsoon winds influence many regions with a wet season, such as parts of South and Southeast Asia.
Short-term weather events such as storms, heatwaves and cold snaps can crops or slow their growth.
Short-term weather events such as storms, heatwaves and cold snaps can damage crops or slow their growth.
How does waterlogging from very heavy rain harm crops?
Waterlogging reduces the oxygen that crop roots can get from the soil.
Define dry season.
A dry season is a period with little or no rainfall for many weeks or months.
How can flooding in a wet season harm farmland?
Flooding can wash away soil, seeds or nutrients from farmland.
True or False?
A dry season always leads to low crop yields.
False.
Farmers can avoid lower yields by using irrigation systems to supply water.
What can drought do to crops?
Drought can cause crops to wilt or die.
Farmers plan planting and harvesting around patterns to maximise crop success.
Farmers plan planting and harvesting around seasonal rainfall patterns to maximise crop success.
How do wet and dry seasons differ from weather?
Wet and dry seasons are regular seasonal patterns across the year, not day-to-day conditions.
Why can heavy rain make planting and harvesting difficult?
Heavy rain can make planting and harvesting difficult because it leaves muddy fields.
Define photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process in which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to make glucose for growth.
What do crops use glucose to build?
Crops use glucose to build leaves, stems, roots, flowers and fruits.
The rate of photosynthesis directly affects crop and final yields.
The rate of photosynthesis directly affects crop growth and final yields.
Define growing season.
The growing season is the part of the year when conditions are suitable for plant growth.
True or False?
A shorter growing season leads to higher crop yields.
False.
A longer growing season gives crops more time for photosynthesis, which leads to larger plants and higher yields.
How do warm temperatures speed up photosynthesis?
Warm temperatures help enzymes work quickly, which speeds up photosynthesis.
How do farmers match their crops to the growing season?
Farmers choose crop varieties that fit the length of the local growing season.
How can too much rain harm crops?
Too much rain can cause waterlogging, which reduces oxygen for roots.
True or False?
Frost and heatwaves increase the rate of photosynthesis in crops.
False.
Extreme weather such as frost, heatwaves or storms can damage leaves and reduce photosynthesis.
Why do crops grow quickly in summer?
Summer has long days, which give crops more time for photosynthesis.
Day length affects the timing of crops.
Day length affects the timing of planting and harvesting crops.
Why do some crops need long daylight hours?
Some crops need long daylight hours to flower or reach maturity.
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