Questions for the sample final exams?

Hello! Here are few questions in the sample final, I not sure about the right answer! 1. Provide examples and briefly discuss effects of (accelerated) soil erosion (caused by water and wind).

2. What soil properties enhance sulfate (SO4 2-) leaching losses? Explain your answer.

3. What conditions favour nitrification?

4. How is nitrification useful to the organisms which carry it out?

5. Under what circumstances can P leaching become a problem? Briefly explain.

6. What soil conditions are best for plant growth?(sand% silt% clay% organic c% pH CEC exchangeable cations: Ca Mg Na K)

Thanks for helping!

Several of these questions are already answered in this Discussion Forum. Pls see responses from April 16 re. soil erosion question and sulfate leaching On Apr 17, I answered question re. nitrification and why organisms will carry it out, while on Apr 18, I answered question re. P leaching.

Q. What conditions favour nitrification? Nitrification is a biological oxidation of ammonium to nitrite and the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate. Nitrification is carried out by a bacteria Nitrosomonas sp. Hence, nitrification can only be carried out under aerobic conditions (ie in presence of oxygen) and when Nitrosomonas bacteria are present.

Q. What soil conditions are best for plant growth? -This is a really big question that summarizes numerous concepts covered in this course. Think about aeration, water movement and retention, nutrient retention and supply when developing the response to this question.