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Ch. 37 - Soil and Plant Nutrition
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.

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Identify the key term: Intensive irrigation refers to the practice of providing more water to crops than is naturally available, often through artificial means like sprinklers or drip systems.
Understand each option: a. Soil salinization occurs when irrigation causes salts to accumulate in the soil, reducing its fertility. b. Overfertilization refers to the excessive use of fertilizers, which is not directly related to the amount of water used in irrigation. c. Land subsidence can happen when large amounts of groundwater are withdrawn (often for irrigation), causing the ground to sink. d. Aquifer depletion is a direct consequence of excessive water withdrawal for irrigation, leading to a reduction in groundwater levels.
Analyze the options in relation to intensive irrigation: Soil salinization, land subsidence, and aquifer depletion are direct consequences of intensive irrigation practices.
Identify the exception: Overfertilization, while a problem in agriculture, is not a direct consequence of the amount of water used in irrigation but rather the misuse or overuse of fertilizers.
Conclude the correct answer: The option that is not a problem associated with intensive irrigation is b. overfertilization.

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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 is the accumulation of soluble salts in the soil, often resulting from excessive irrigation. When water evaporates, it leaves behind salts that can hinder plant growth and reduce agricultural productivity. This process is particularly prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions where irrigation is heavily relied upon.
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Soil Composition

Overfertilization

Overfertilization occurs when excessive amounts of fertilizers are applied to crops, leading to nutrient runoff into water bodies. This can cause environmental issues such as eutrophication, where nutrient overloads lead to algal blooms that deplete oxygen in water, harming aquatic life. It is a significant concern in intensive agricultural practices.

Aquifer Depletion

Aquifer depletion refers to the reduction of groundwater levels due to excessive extraction of water from aquifers, often for irrigation purposes. This can lead to a variety of problems, including reduced water availability for drinking and irrigation, land subsidence, and ecological damage. Sustainable water management practices are essential to prevent aquifer depletion.
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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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