Texas FFA Nursery Landscape Practice Exam

What term describes soil that is compacted around newly planted vegetation?

1. Air pockets

2. Soil consolidation

3. Root barrier

4. Loam formation

The correct answer is: Air pockets

The correct term for soil that is compacted around newly planted vegetation is soil consolidation. When plants are placed into the ground, the surrounding soil may become denser as it is pressed down or packed tightly, which helps to minimize air pockets. Soil consolidation is important because it allows for better contact between the soil and the roots of the plants, promoting water and nutrient uptake. In this context, air pockets refer to spaces within the soil that are not filled with soil particles, which can actually hinder plant growth by preventing roots from making adequate contact with the soil. A root barrier is a structure that prevents roots from spreading into undesired areas, and loam formation relates to the process of mixing soil components to create a balanced soil type. These terms emphasize different aspects of soil dynamics but do not specifically describe the situation of compacted soil around newly planted vegetation.