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Media and Soils. Chapter 6. Learning Targets. I can identify various types of growing media? I can explain the PH Scale? I can identify 3 sections of the Soil Triangle?. Growing Medium. Material in which the roots plants grow. Roles of Media. Provides nutrients and a anchor for plant.
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Media and Soils Chapter 6
Learning Targets • I can identify various types of growing media? • I can explain the PH Scale? • I can identify 3 sections of the Soil Triangle?
Growing Medium • Material in which the roots plants grow.
Roles of Media • Provides nutrients and a anchor for plant.
Nutrients • Substance that roots absorb from the medium and water.
Anchor • Roots hold plant in place.
Pore Space • Air holes between the growing medium particles which allows oxygen to reach the roots of plants.
Soil Amendment • Anything added to the soil to improve plant growth. • Vermiculite • Perlite
Soil • Top few inches of earths surface that provide soil growth.
Soilless Medium • Contains no soil. • Made from: • Vermiculite • Perlite • Peat Moss • Bark • Can be pre-mixed
Hydroponics • Nutrients are provided by nutrient solution.
Nutrient Solution • Contains water with dissolved nutrients.
Hydroponic Advantages • Nutrients Control • Yield is greater • Roots do not spread • Reduced Weed, Insect, Disease
Mineral Materials • Come from inorganic sources. • 3 kinds of Mineral Materials
Sand #1 • Largest material in soil. • Good for soil drainage.
Silt #2 • Smaller than sand. • Areas near rivers are high in silt.
Clay #3 • Smallest size particle in soil. • Holds water well. • Fills gaps between Sand and Silt
Organic Matter • Decayed remains from plants and animals.
Soil Texture • % of Sand, Silt, Clay present in the soil.
Soil Triangle • Used to classify soil on the basis texture content. • Most crops prefer a Loamy soil.
Loam Soil • High in Silt lower in Sand and Clay.
Soil Structure • Physical arrangement of soil particles.
Soil Aeration • Movement of air in the soil. • Clay soil least air movement.
Soil Compaction • Soil compressed into a dense mass.
Wear • Physical deterioration of a plant community.
Soil Profile • Vertical section of soil at a location.
Soil Horizon (A) • Topsoil: 10” Made of: • Humus • Roots • Organisms
Soil Horizon (B) • Subsoil: 30” • Made of: • Fine Particles • Leached materials • Some Roots
Soil Horizon (C) • Parent Material: 48” • Made of: • Bedrock • Leached materials
Soil Horizon (R) • Bedrock: • Made of: • Solid Rock
Plant Nutrients • 17 elements are needed for plants to grow.
Macronutrients • Most important nutrients needed in large amount.
Macronutrients • (N) – Nitrogen • (P) – Phosphorus • (K) – Potassium • (Ca) – Calcium • (Mg) – Magnesium • (S) – Sulfur
Primary Nutrients • N-P-K • Needed in largest amounts.
Secondary Nutrients • Ca-Mg-S • Needed in moderate amounts
Micronutrients • Needed in smaller amounts. • AKA-Trace Elements
Micronutrients • (Fe) – Iron • (Mn) – Maganese • (Zn) – Zinc • (Cu) – Copper • (B) – Boron • (Mo) – Molybdenum • (Cl) – Chlorine • (Ni) - Nickel
Soil Testing • Determines what nutrients are present in the soil.
Nitrogen • Key element • Helps plant recover from damage.
Nitrogen Deficient Example • Older leaves turn yellow. (Chlorosis) • Death can happen
Phosphorus • Helps plant hold and transfer energy for metabolism.
Phosphorus Deficient • Reduced growth • Dark to reddish leaf colorations.
Potassium • Important for plant life process.
Potassium Deficient • Reduced growth • Increase disease • Stress of plant
Soil PH • Ph is used to measure the amount of Alkalinity or acidity in soil.
PH Scale • 14 Point Scale
PH Scale • 7.0 = Neutral
PH Scale • Below 7.0 = Acidic • Above 7.0 = Alkaline
Modifying PH • Adding Lime will raise PH. • Adding Sulfur will lower PH.
Modifying PH • Most plants prefer PH of 5.5-8.0