Soils Vocabulary

7. using tillage practices that disturb the surface of the land very little
8. alternating the use of land in producing crops
9. an area where the soil is often saturated with water
10. the physical condition of soil that makes it suitable for crop production
11. producing a traditional crop without plowing
13. planting crops of different types in strips across a hillside
16. a layer of straw, burlap, or other material placed on the top of soil to protect it from wind and water
17. a long ridge of earth that follows the contour of land to slow runoff
18. a row or cluster of shrubs, trees, or combination of plants that help provide protection from the wind
20. performing all field operations on the contour of the land elevation
22. a row of trees or shrubs planted to slow the movement of surface wind
23. using soil so damage or loss is very little or none
24. the loss of soil due to wind
25. the loss of soil due to water movement

1. a shallow vegetated ditch that carries runoff away
2. the first few inches of soil with the greatest fertility
3. a structure, a vegetative measure, or an activity that protects, enhances, or manages oil and other resources
4. plowing so the surface of the land is disturbed as little as possible
5. a severe kind of erosion. It follows rill erosion if not controlled.
6. a protective crop that is grown to prevent soil erosion
12. any action or event that lowers the quality of soil
14. the loss of soil on sloping land where small channels are formed by running water
15. the loss of soil
19. the loss of thin layers or sheets of soil
21. a structure placed at the bottom of a slope to allow water to flow through but to hold back the soil particles