Plant & Soil Science

1. Plant & Soil Science

2. Plant Growth • Roots grow down towards gravity • Stems grow up away from gravity • Stems grow up towards light

3. Plant Growth • Talk or breathe on plants to give them carbon dioxide • Roots need both water and oxygen in the soil to live

4. Terrariums • Enclosed clear container growing plants inside • Creates its own rain cycle • Only needs water maybe 1-2 times a year • If too much water is in the terrarium, remove the cover so some water can evaporate out

5. Terrariums • Set in a bright area, but not direct sunlight • Too much sunlight will heat the terrarium up so it is too hot for a plant to live

6. Earth as a Fruit • Earth’s surface • 75% covered with water • 97% of this water is salt water • 25% covered by land • Most land unusable for growing crops (to hot, cold, wet, dry, mountainous, covered by buildings and roads, poor soils)

7. Items Needed for Plant Growth • Soil • Oxygen – (O2) • Carbon Dioxide – (CO2) • Water – (H2O) • Sunlight • Correct temperature

8. Soil • Layer of organic matter, inorganic matter, water, and air that supports plant life

9. Inorganic Soil Particles • Sand • Largest soil particle • Feels gritty • Good because it lets air and water in • Bad because too much sand does not hold water well • Silt • Medium soil particle • Feels soft

10. Inorganic Soil Particles • Clay • Smallest soil particle • Feels like rock when dry • Good because it holds water well • Bad because too much clay does not let air in and roots have a difficult time growing

11. Soil Texture Activity

12. Soil Layers • Topsoil • Uppermost layer of soil, dark in color, high in nutrients • Subsoil • Below the topsoil, lighter in color, low in nutrients • Bedrock • Layer of solid rock • Soil Cup Treat