View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
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Literature review<br />
Figure 2.29: Diagrammatic representation <strong>of</strong> a small cluster <strong>of</strong> soil illustrating the complexity <strong>of</strong><br />
organic soil. Also note the air spaces between the various components illustrated. Modified<br />
from descriptions <strong>of</strong> SLEEMAN & BREWER (1988).<br />
2.6.1 Physical properties <strong>of</strong> soil<br />
The physical properties <strong>of</strong> soils, which are greatly influenced by surface to volume<br />
relations <strong>of</strong> the soil particles, are important in determining the availability <strong>of</strong> various<br />
important ions to the plant roots (GLASS, 1989). Soil particles <strong>of</strong>ten have inorganic<br />
particles bound to their surface by a specific charge, making the ions unavailable to<br />
the plant for uptake (GLASS, 1989). When bulk flows are insufficient to supply the<br />
plant demand, diffusion-limited zones might develop around the roots. This results in<br />
fluctuations in the amounts <strong>of</strong> various mineral nutrients available to the plant<br />
(GLASS, 1989).<br />
The physical properties <strong>of</strong> soil include texture, structure, density, porosity, water<br />
content, consistency, temperature and colour (DONAHUE et al., 1983). These<br />
influence root penetration and the availability <strong>of</strong> water and oxygen to the root surface<br />
(DONAHUE et al., 1983). Only soil texture and water content will be discussed here.<br />
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