Soil science

Soil science

That science dealing with soils as a natural resource on the surface of the earth including soil formation, classification and mapping; physical, chemical, biological, and fertility properties of soils per se; and these properties in relation to the use and management of soils.

Industry: Earth science

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Soil science

Discontinuity

Earth science; Soil science

Any interruption in sedimentation, whatever its cause or length, usually a manifestation of nondeposition and accompanying erosion.

Plinthite

Earth science; Soil science

A weakly-cemented iron-rich, humus poor mixture of clay with other diluents that commonly occurs as dark red redox concentrations that form platy, polygonal, or reticulate patterns. Plinthite ...

Plant nutrient

Earth science; Soil science

An element which is absorbed by plants and is necessary for completion of the normal life cycle. These include C, H, O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, B, Cl, Ni, and Mo.

Flooding

Earth science; Soil science

Accumulation of large amounts of runoff on the landscape as a result of rainfall in excess of the soil's ability to drain water from the landscape before extensive inundation and ponding occurs.

Maintenance application

Earth science; Soil science

Application of fertiliser materials in amounts and at intervals to maintain available soil nutrients at levels necessary to produce a desired yield.

Creep

Earth science; Soil science

Slow mass movement of soil and soil material down slopes driven primarily by gravity, but facilitated by saturation with water and by alternate freezing and thawing.

Ochrepts

Earth science; Soil science

Inceptisols formed in cold or temperate climates and that commonly have an ochric epipedon and a cambic horizon. They may have an umbric or mollic epipedon <25 cm thick or a fragipan or duripan ...