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Ch. 37 - Soil and Plant Nutrition
All textbooksCampbell 12th EditionCh. 37 - Soil and Plant NutritionProblem 5
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Chapter 37, Problem 5

. A problem with intensive irrigation is (A) overfertilization. (B) aquifer depletion. (C) the long-term depletion of soil oxygen. (D) the clogging of waterways by vegetation debris.

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Identify the main issue related to intensive irrigation from the options provided.
Understand that overfertilization typically refers to the excessive use of fertilizers leading to nutrient runoff, which is not directly caused by irrigation itself.
Recognize that aquifer depletion involves the removal of water from underground aquifers faster than it can be replenished, which can be a direct consequence of excessive irrigation.
Consider that the long-term depletion of soil oxygen is more associated with waterlogging due to poor drainage rather than irrigation per se.
Analyze how the clogging of waterways by vegetation debris is generally related to natural processes or poor land management rather than directly linked to irrigation practices.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Intensive Irrigation

Intensive irrigation refers to the practice of applying large amounts of water to crops to maximize yield. While it can enhance agricultural productivity, it often leads to negative environmental impacts, such as water scarcity and soil degradation. Understanding the balance between water use and crop needs is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
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Aquifer Depletion

Aquifer depletion occurs when groundwater is extracted faster than it can be replenished, often due to excessive irrigation. This can lead to a significant drop in water tables, affecting water availability for both agricultural and human needs. Recognizing the implications of aquifer depletion is essential for managing water resources sustainably.
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Soil Oxygen Depletion

Soil oxygen depletion happens when excessive water saturation in the soil reduces the amount of oxygen available to plant roots and soil organisms. This can hinder plant growth and disrupt soil health, leading to reduced agricultural productivity. Understanding the relationship between water levels and soil aeration is vital for effective irrigation practices.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Mycorrhizae enhance plant nutrition mainly by a. absorbing water and minerals through the fungal hyphae. b. providing sugar to root cells, which have no chloroplasts. c. converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. d. enabling the roots to parasitize neighboring plants.

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Textbook Question

Epiphytes are a. fungi that attack plants. b. fungi that form mutualistic associations with roots. c. nonphotosynthetic parasitic plants. d. plants that grow on other plants.

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Textbook Question

Some of the problems associated with intensive irrigation include all of the following except a. soil salinization. b. overfertilization. c. land subsidence. d. aquifer depletion.

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Textbook Question

A mineral deficiency is likely to affect older leaves more than younger leaves if a. the mineral is a micronutrient. b. the mineral is very mobile within the plant. c. the mineral is required for chlorophyll synthesis. d. the mineral is a macronutrient.

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Textbook Question

The greatest difference in health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, would be in an environment a. where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant. b. that has soil with poor drainage. c. that has hot summers and cold winters. d. in which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients.

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Textbook Question

Two groups of tomatoes were grown under laboratory conditions, one with humus added to the soil and one a control without humus. The leaves of the plants grown without humus were yellowish (less green) compared with those of the plants grown in humus-enriched soil. The best explanation is that a. the healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll. b. the humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots. c. the humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll. d. the heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis.

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