Worksheets#AgSci Biological Characteristics of Soil
Total questions: 21
Worksheet time: 11mins
What is the biomass of a soil?
Is the total mass of living material in a habitat
The plant and animal material which has been decomposed
The process by which soil organic matter is converted to humus.
A community of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) that inhabit a particular environment
What is humus?
Is the total mass of living material in a habitat
The plant and animal material which has been decomposed
The process by which soil organic matter is converted to humus.
A community of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) that inhabit a particular environment
What is Humification?
Is the total mass of living material in a habitat
The plant and animal material which has been decomposed
The process by which soil organic matter is converted to humus.
A community of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) that inhabit a particular environment
What is a microbiome?
Is the total mass of living material in a habitat
The plant and animal material which has been decomposed
The process by which soil organic matter is converted to humus.
A community of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) that inhabit a particular environment
Select any of these microorganisms that are found in the soil?
Bacteria
Actinomycetes
Fungi
What is a symbiotic relationship?
Where different organisms live in a close relationship and at least one organism benefits
Both organisms benefit from the relationship
Where two organisms of the same species live in close association
What is a mutualistic relationship?
Where different organisms live in a close relationship and at least one organism benefits
Both organisms benefit from the relationship
What is the rhizophere?
The zone of soil surrounding a plant root where the biology and chemistry of the soil are influenced by the plant root
Area of the cortex and endodermis of root where microorganisms can occupy spaces between cells and makes use of nutrients by roots
Area where ammonia is converted to nitrite
What is the endorhizophere?
The zone of soil surrounding a plant root where the biology and chemistry of the soil are influenced by the plant root
Area of the cortex and endodermis of root where microorganisms can occupy spaces between cells and makes use of nutrients by roots
Select all correct answers: What are the advantages of mycorrhizal fungi?
Enhance the water-holding capacity of the soil
Help bind soil particles together, better structure and prevent soil erosion
Have a selective intake of minerals, preventing toxicity from heavy metals
Provide resistance against nematodes to the plants
What are the effects of large organic matter in soil? Select two
improve drainage
do not contribute to ion exchange
provide nutrients for growth
allow for ion exchange
What is the effect of small organic matter in soil? Select two
improve drainage
do not contribute to ion exchange
provide nutrients for growth
allow for ion exchange
Which of these are ways in which carbon is taken into the soil in the carbon cycle?
Green/animal manure breaking down
Leaching of carbon dioxide from carbonates
Plants respiration
How is carbon dioxide removed from the air during the carbon cycle?
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Humification
Which of these are biological advantages of organic matter? Select two
Biodiversiy
Nutrient resivior
Soil pH buffering
Cation exchnage
Nutrient supply
Which of these are chemical advantages of organic matter? Select three
Biodiversiy
Nutrient resivior
Soil pH buffering
Cation exchnage
Nutrient supply
Which of the following are physical advantages of organic matter?
Improve soil structure
Improve water retention
Reduction of soil capping
Reduction of soil eroision
Reduction of soil compaction
Which of these are methods of improving soil organic matter levels?
Catch crops
Crop rotation
Farmyard Manure (FYM)/straw/
Min til or reduced tillage
Return soil to permanent pasture
What forms is nitrogen found as in the nitrogen cycle?
Nitrogen gas N2
Amonium ions NH4+
Nitrates NO3-
Nitrites NO2-
Nitrogen oxides
What is the name of the bacteria found the root nodules of clover?
Lactobacillus
Streptococcus
Rhizobium
Clostridium
What are the benifits of earthworms?
Convert organic matter into humus
Improve structure,drainage and aeration
Mix the different layers of soil
Worm casts are high in N,P & K
