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

One-third-atmosphere percentage

Earth science; Soil science

The percentage of water contained in a soil that has been saturated, subjected to, and is in equilibrium with, an applied pressure of one-third atmosphere. Approximately the same as one-third-bar ...

Static penetrometer

Earth science; Soil science

A penetrometer which is pushed into the soil at a constant and slow rate of penetration.

Parasitism

Earth science; Soil science

(i) Feeding by one organism on the cells of a second organism, which is usually larger than the first. The parasite is, to some extent, dependent on the host at whose expense it is maintained. (ii) ...

Aridic

Earth science; Soil science

A soil moisture regime that has no water available for plants for more than half the cumulative time that the soil temperature at 50 cm below the surface is >5°C, and has no period as long as 90 ...

Tensiometer

Earth science; Soil science

A device for measuring the soil-water matric potential in situ; a porous, permeable ceramic cup connected through a water-filled tube to a manometer, vacuum gauge, pressure transducer, or other ...