Nitrogen fixation is a biochemical process performed by specialised microorganisms (e.g., Rhizobium) where dinitrogen (N2) gas in the air is converted into ammonia (NH3) or related nitrogenous compounds, which can be utilised by many organisms.
Organic compounds consist of chains (branched or unbranched) or rings of carbon (C) atoms with predominantly hydrogen (H) or hydrogen + oxygen (OH) bonded to the carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms in an organic compound can vary from one to many. Organic compounds with carbon atoms numbering 16–36 have been implicated as the main causative agents of soil water repellence. The classes of organic compounds responsible for water repellence include long-chain fatty acids, esters, alkanes, phytanols, phytanes and sterols.
The process by which water flows from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. For example, water flowing from moist soil pores into root cells.
Water deficit caused by salinity; decrease in availability of water to plant cells due to salinity.
Refers to the ability of an organism—typically a microbe such as a bacterium, virus, fungus, or parasite—to cause disease in a host organism. Capable of causing disease.
Pedological refers to anything related to pedology, which is the scientific study of soils in their natural environment. Relating to the origin, classification, distribution, and environmental relationships of soils.
Scientific discipline focused on soil formation, evolution, and classification. Pedologists pay particular attention to observing soil morphology and the geographic distribution of soils, as well as the placement of soil bodies into larger temporal and spatial contexts.
Liquid or gas filtering gradually through a porous material.
Refers to the movement and filtering of fluids through porous materials.
The capacity of the soil to allow water to pass through it.