Soil Vocab Set 2

2. occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between them
3. the largest, coarsest mineral particles. These particles are 2.00 to 0.05 mm in diameter and feel gritty when rubbed between your fingers
4. the water content of the soil two to three days after a rain or irrigation event when the remainder of water has been removed by the downward forces of gravity
6. comprised of very fine mineral particles (less than 0.002mm) and not much organic material. It feels sticky when wet.
8. the ability of a certain soil texture to physically hold water against the force of gravity
11. the amount of water that a soil can store that is available for use by plants. It is the water held between field capacity and the wilting.
13. matter that has come from a recently living organism

1. the amount of water per unit weight or per unit soil bulk volume in the soil, expressed in percent, that is held so tightly by the soil matrix that roots cannot absorb this water and a plant will wilt.
5. the downward movement of dissolved mobile plant nutrients in the soil profile following percolating water such as rain or irrigation water
7. particles are 0.05 to 0.002 mm and feel similar to flour when dry
9. the rate and degree of removal of water by surface run-off, flow through the soil to underground spaces, evaporation, and transpiration
10. amount of pores, or open space, between soil particles
12. combines all three of these types of particles (sand, silt, clay) in relatively equal amounts.
14. physical condition of soil, especially in relation to its suitability for planting or growing a crop