Agronomist dictionary

Soil and tillage

Slotting

An agricultural technique of cutting narrow vertical slots in the soil to improve water infiltration and aeration within the root zone.

Soil and tillage

Soil acidity

Soil acidity is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in the soil solution, indicating whether the soil reaction is acidic, neutral, or alkaline.

Soil and tillage

Soil Adsorbing Complex

The sum total of mineral, organic, and organo-mineral soil particles that possess the ability to adsorb and exchange ions, nutrients, and water.

Soil and tillage

Soil aggregate

A soil aggregate is a cluster of soil particles held together by organic matter, roots, and clays, essential for soil aeration and water retention.

Soil and tillage

Soil aggregation

It is the condition of soil consisting of crumbs or aggregates of various sizes that provide the necessary balance of air and water for plant growth.

Soil and tillage

Soil buffering capacity

The ability of soil to resist changes in pH when acids, bases, or fertilizers are added.

Soil and tillage

Soil capillarity

The ability of soil to move water from lower layers to the root zone through fine pores by means of surface tension forces.

Soil and tillage

Soil compaction

The process of reducing soil porosity due to mechanical pressure, which leads to increased density, restricted root growth, and impaired water and air movement...

Soil and tillage

Soil crusting

A phenomenon where soil aggregates break down due to water impact, forming a dense, surface layer that restricts air and water movement.

Soil and tillage

Soil cultivation status

This is the degree to which a soil's properties meet the requirements of agricultural crops, achieved through long-term effective soil management and human acti...

Soil and tillage

Soil deflation

Deflation is the process of removal and transport of topsoil particles by wind, which degrades soil structure and reduces overall agricultural fertility.

Soil and tillage

Soil degradation

The decline in soil quality and fertility caused by improper management, resulting in a reduced capacity of the land to support plant growth.

Soil and tillage

Soil fertility

Soil fertility is the capacity of soil to sustain agricultural plant growth by providing essential nutrients, water, and air in adequate amounts for crop produc...

Soil and tillage

Soil hydraulic conductivity

The ability of a soil to transmit water through its profile when subjected to surface irrigation or precipitation.

Soil and tillage

Soil microaggregates

Soil microaggregates are microscopic clusters of soil particles, typically smaller than 0.25 mm, bound together by organic matter, fungi, and minerals.

Soil and tillage

Soil porosity

Soil porosity is the total volume of pores and voids between soil particles, expressed as a percentage of the total soil volume.

Soil and tillage

Soil profile

A vertical section of soil from the surface down to the parent material, displaying distinct layers known as horizons.

Soil and tillage

Soil structure

Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil particles into stable aggregates, which facilitate proper aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration fo...

Soil and tillage

Soil structure coefficient

A metric representing the ratio of water-stable soil aggregates between 0.25 and 10 mm in diameter to the total soil mass.

Soil and tillage

Soil texture

The relative proportions of soil particles of different sizes, which determines the physical and mechanical properties of the soil.

Soil and tillage

Soil thixotropy

The property of certain moist soils to temporarily lose shear strength and transition from a solid state to a liquid-like state under mechanical stress.

Soil and tillage

Soil water-holding capacity

Soil water-holding capacity is the ability of a soil to retain a certain amount of water within its pores against the force of gravity after excess water has dr...

Soil and tillage

Soil workability

The physical condition of the soil in which it crumbles easily under mechanical force, providing optimal conditions for cultivation and seed germination.

Soil and tillage

Solonetzic property

Solonetzic property refers to the presence of high levels of exchangeable sodium in the soil, which leads to poor structure and restricts water and air movement...