Soil and Plant Processes

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Photosynthesis

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Process of converting light energy to chemical energy and storing it in the bonds of sugar.

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Respiration

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Process by which organisms oxidize sugars and derive energy in the form of ATP from the molecular bonds which are broken.

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Soil Aeration

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Exchange of soil and atmospheric air to maintain oxygen for plant roots.

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Organic Matter

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Substance comprised of decomposed plant and animal residues, microorganisms and partially decayed plant material and microbes which provides structure, greater water holding capacity, diversity and greater nutrient availability to soil.

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Permeability

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Rate at which water and air move into and through the soil is affected by the amount, size and arrangement of soil pores.

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Porosity

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Void spaces in soil, known as pores, which can be filled with air or water.

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Water-Holding Capacity

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Amount of water a soil can hold for plant use.

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Aggregate

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Groups of soil particles which bind to each other more strongly than adjacent particles.

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Bulk Density

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Dry weight of soil per unit volume of soil; indicates the degree of structure or compaction present in the soil.

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Soil pH

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Measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a soil.