SOIL SCIENCE 109
Homework 1
Spring 1998



1.   A hectare is 10,000 m² in area. Calculate the weight of the soil in the top 30 cm of the surface soil if it has a bulk density of 1.2 g cm^-3.







2.   A soil has a cation exchange capacity of 20 cmol kg-1 (200 mmoles kg-1) and a Ca saturation of 63%. What is the weight of exchangeable Ca in the surface soil top 30 cm of a surface soil with bulk density 1.3 g cm^-3?







3.   The soil has a moisture content of 20% by volume and a solution K level is 1 mM L-1. What is the mass of solution K in the top 30 cm of a hectare field that has a bulk density of 1.1 g cm^-3?







4.   How many times can a solution phase be replenished from the ion exchange complex?







5.   An alfalfa crop with 3.0% N weighing 14.2 metric tons was harvested from a hectare field. How much N would be removed through harvesting of the alfalfa?







6.   Convert 100 lb. per acre to kg per ha.







7.   Define the law of the minimum. Compare Liebig’s definition to that of Mitscherlich’s as a generalized expression relating to growth.







8.   Name the following interactions and describe their significance?







9.   Which nutrient(s) appear to be deficient according to the results obtained from the following factorial response trial? Explain.