Across
- 2. The binding together of soil particles into aggregates called peds.
- 4. The spaces between soil particles that are filled with either water or air. The size and amount of these spaces are essential to healthy soil.
- 10. The process in which water dissolves minerals and moves them deeper within the soil profile.
- 11. The underlying soil material that gives rise to the subsoil and topsoil. This material may be made of sedimentary rock, other types of rock, or mud deposited by a river. Also referred to as the “C” layer.
- 12. Material composed of decomposing and decomposed living organisms, including their waste products.
- 13. A crop planted primarily to manage soil erosion. A crop that is planted in the fall after the previous growing season’s crop has been harvested.
- 17. The layer of soil right below the topsoil. It is usually lighter in color, contains less organic matter, and is more responsible for drainage and aeration than the topsoil. Also referred to as the “B” layer.
- 19. The smallest soil particle. It is chemically active, has a negative electrical charge, and holds valuable plant nutrients.
- 23. The buildup of salts in soil that occurs with the frequent use of irrigation.
- 26. When all pore spaces of soil are filled with water.
- 30. A planting method in which the farmer minimally tills the soil, often with a machine that minimizes the disturbance of the soil surface. Farmers may leave some or a crop’s entire residue on the surface of the soil.
- 32. the determination of the suitability of land for different cropping systems.
- 33. The wearing of soil by wind or water.
- 35. A method of planting in which the farmer does not plow or disk the soil, but plants a new crop in the remnants of the previous year’s crop.
- 36. The minerals (sand, silt, and clay) that make up the largest portion (40%–50%) of most soils.
Down
- 1. The top layer of soil. It is usually the most fertile and darkest in color. Also referred to as the “A” layer.
- 3. Subsoil horizon, clearly different from the Topsoil.
- 5. Topsoil,usually darkest in color, indicating high organic matter.
- 6. A view of the different soil layers made possible with a vertical slice down into the ground.
- 7. the horizon made of parent material.
- 8. The process of eroding rock over time, primarily through the action of rainfall and snowfall.
- 9. Soil erosion that occurs when many small streams of water form and are running across the surface of the soil.
- 14. is known as the organic layer, only occurs in woodlands and grasslands on top of topsoil.
- 15. The amount of sand, silt, and clay present in a given soil.
- 16. The compression or elimination of pore spaces in soil due to frequent heavy pressures, as with the heavy farm machinery.
- 18. The layer of soil found on top of the topsoil. This layer has the highest organic matter content of any soil layer. Also referred to as the “O” layer.
- 20. Soil erosion that occurs when many streams of water come together and form a larger stream, often in the valleys or low areas of a field.
- 21. The minerals that affect the acidity of the soil.
- 22. A method of turning the soil in crop fields.
- 24. The fine, relatively inert soil particles carried by running water and deposited as a sediment.
- 25. The largest soil particle. It is inert and does not affect soil fertility, but is important for drainage and aeration.
- 27. The aggregates formed by the binding of soil particles.
- 28. The general condition of the soil with respect to texture, moisture content, aeration, and drainage.
- 29. Row of trees planted on the western edge of a field that creates a natural barrier to slow the flow of wind and minimize wind erosion.
- 31. Soil that contains approximately 40% sand, 40% silt, and 20% clay; holds more nutrients and moisture and contains more organic matter than sandy soils.
- 34. Another name for organic matter