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

Inoculate

Earth science; Soil science

To treat, usually seeds, with microorganisms to create a favourable response. Most often refers to the treatment of legume seeds with Rhizobium or Bradyrhizobium to stimulate dinitrogen fixation but ...

Residual material

Earth science; Soil science

Unconsolidated and partly weathered mineral materials accumulated by disintegration of consolidated rock in place.

Coefficient of uniformity

Earth science; Soil science

The ratio D60/D10 which quantifies the shape of the particle size distribution curve.

Active layer

Earth science; Soil science

The top layer of ground subject to annual thawing and freezing in areas underlain by permafrost.

Aerobic digestion

Earth science; Soil science

The partial biological decomposition of suspended organic matter in waste water or sewage in aerated conditions.

Biological nitrate reduction

Earth science; Soil science

The process whereby nitrate is reduced by plants and microorganisms to ammonium for cell synthesis (nitrate assimilation, assimilatory nitrate reduction) or to nitrite by bacteria using nitrate as ...