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Ch. 37 - Soil and Plant Nutrition
Campbell - Campbell Biology 12th Edition
Urry12th EditionCampbell BiologyISBN: 9785794169850Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksUrry 12th EditionCh. 37 - Soil and Plant NutritionProblem 5
Chapter 37, Problem 5

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.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of intensive irrigation. Intensive irrigation refers to the practice of applying large amounts of water to agricultural fields to maximize crop yield. This method can have environmental and geological consequences.
Step 2: Review each option provided in the question and analyze its relationship to intensive irrigation. For example, soil salinization occurs when water evaporates, leaving salts behind, which is a common issue in areas with intensive irrigation.
Step 3: Consider the impact of overfertilization. While fertilizers are often used in agriculture, overfertilization is not directly caused by irrigation itself but rather by excessive application of nutrients.
Step 4: Examine land subsidence, which can occur when groundwater is excessively extracted for irrigation, causing the land to sink. This is a known consequence of intensive irrigation in areas reliant on aquifers.
Step 5: Evaluate aquifer depletion, which happens when water is withdrawn from underground sources faster than it can be replenished. This is a direct result of intensive irrigation practices in regions with limited water resources.

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Key Concepts

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

Soil Salinization

Soil salinization occurs when water evaporates from the soil surface, leaving behind salts that accumulate over time. This process is often exacerbated by intensive irrigation practices, particularly in arid regions, leading to reduced soil fertility and crop yields. Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing the negative impacts of excessive irrigation.
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Soil Composition

Overfertilization

Overfertilization refers to the excessive application of fertilizers to crops, which can lead to nutrient runoff into water bodies, causing pollution and eutrophication. While it is a common issue in agricultural practices, it is not directly a problem of intensive irrigation itself, making it a key distinction in the context of the question.

Aquifer Depletion

Aquifer depletion occurs when groundwater is extracted faster than it can be replenished, often due to intensive irrigation practices that rely heavily on groundwater sources. This can lead to a significant drop in water tables, affecting water availability for both agricultural and human needs. Recognizing this concept is essential for understanding the sustainability challenges of intensive irrigation.
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Micronutrients are needed in very small amounts because

a. Most of them are mobile in the plant

b. Most serve mainly as cofactors of enzymes

c. Most are supplied in large enough quantities in seeds

d. They play only a minor role in the growth and health of the plant

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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

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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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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