Know Soil, Know Life Glossary
This glossary is designed for more advanced explorations of soil science terms and words. The words and definitions are from the SSSA Book Know Soil Know Life.
Not finding a word? Try the advanced Glossary of Soil Science Terms. Too advanced? Check out the Young Scientists glossary for introductory words and definitions.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Udic |
soil is neither dry nor wet for long periods during the year |
| Ultisols |
Acidic, strongly leached, older soils—common in the Southeastern United States and old piedmont landscapes worldwide. |
| Value |
Relating to color, the degree of lightness or darkness of a color in relation to a neutral gray scale. On a neutral gray scale, value extends from pure black to pure white; one of the three variables of color. |
| Vertisols |
Clayey soils that swell when wet—parts of Texas west to the desert southwest and east through Alabama, Mississippi delta region, northern great plains and parts of California. Also common in parts of India and Ethiopia. |
| Vesicle |
Round or vase-shaped organelle of endomycorrhizae used mainly for storage of lipids. |
| Virus |
Small particle that contains RNA or DNA and infects a living organism |
| Visual Deficiency Symptoms |
Low nutrient levels in plants that cause abnormal growth or discoloration. |
| Waste Management |
The collection, transport, processing or disposal, dispersal, managing and monitoring of municipal, industrial, food-processing, or animal wastes. |
| Water Control Structures |
Small, adjustable dams placed in drainage ditches or irrigation canals to manage water levels. |
| Water-Holding Capacity |
The amount of water that a given material can hold after gravitation al water has been removed. |
| Water Table |
Top of the zone where all the pore in the soil are filled with water and water will flow due to gravity. |
| Xeric |
soil has moist cool periods and warm dry periods. |
