Air soil regime: what does the earth look like in which there is a lot of gas and its properties
Plants consume air not only from the atmosphere, but also from the soil with the help of roots. Of course, the earth contains not so many gaseous components, however, the productivity of a certain area or a large area of agricultural land largely depends on the correct air and water regime of the soil. Academician Vernadsky emphasized the significant role of gases in soil processes.
What does airy soil look like and what is its composition
The soil, which contains a large amount of air, is characterized by friability, flowability, fairly large particles, passes water well, but retains a certain amount of it. This soil is rich in nutrients and well aerated.
For the development of agricultural plants, loamy soil is considered the best option. It is suitable for growing dozens of crops and has the following characteristics:
- Easy handling.
- High percentage of nutrients.
- Significant level of air and water permeability.
- Uniform distribution of moisture over the horizon.
- Heat energy storage.
This type of soil does not need improvement, its quality can simply be maintained by applying organic and mineral fertilizers, digging and mulching.
For potted plants, the substrate is specially made, taking into account the specific requirements of different species. Most of them prefer light, permeable soil with good water retention, in which air forms a part reaching 25% of the total volume, water - 25%, minerals - 25%, and organic matter - only 5%.
The best characteristics in terms of soil gas content are soil, consisting of black soil, sand, weathered (non-acidic) peat. To give greater air and water permeability, inert natural components, such as perlite, or those of artificial origin (foam balls) are added to such soil. Such a soil has the highest characteristics in all the most important parameters: nutritional value, breathability, moisture retention and transmission. The roots of plants in it are developing well, and the green mass is regularly growing
Ecological role of soil air for plants
For plants, not only atmospheric air is important, but also its presence, quality and composition in the soil. Soil gases fill all voids in the ground that do not contain water. Plants develop best if air is contained in large voids, and water is contained in small and medium ones.
Compared to atmospheric air, soil air contains less oxygen and more carbon dioxide. At the same time, the upper layers of well-aerated soil contain more oxygen than the lower ones. This is important for plants, as seed germination occurs only in the presence of oxygen.
Between soil and atmospheric air, gas exchange occurs continuously. Loose soils exchange gaseous components better and faster than dense or swampy ones, because in the first there are practically no pores, and in the second, air from the cavities is displaced by excess water.
There is less oxygen in the soil than in the atmosphere, but more carbon dioxide. This leads to the diffusion process, that is, the mixing and redistribution of gases. Such properties of the soil have a positive effect on the development of plants that need an abundance of carbon dioxide to absorb nutrients. At the same time, plant roots need less carbon dioxide than the above-ground part, so continuous air exchange is the most important condition for obtaining he althy plantings and full-fledged crops.
Conditions for gas exchange between soil and atmosphere
In order for the soil and atmosphere to carry out a full gas exchange, the soil must meet the following indicators:
- Breathability, that is, the ability to pass air.
- Air capacity - the volume occupied by air in the soil at specific indicators of its moisture content.
Loose soils are the most breathable and air-intensive, because they have large cavities between individual particles. When organic substances, such as manure or compost, are introduced into such soils, looseness and nutritional value increase, which leads to an increase in the most important indicators. Also, the addition of organic matter leads to an increase in the release of carbon dioxide, which stimulates gas exchange with the atmosphere, and this contributes to the activation of the growth of the aerial part of agricultural and ornamental crops.
Ways to influence the air regime of soils
The best ways to improve the air regime of the soil are loosening and applying organic fertilizers. This enhances air permeability, leads to intensive gas exchange between soil and atmospheric air.
For heavy, moisture-filled soils, planting cultivated plants on ridges or beds is used.
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