How does soil temperature affect plant growth?

The influence of soil temperature on plant growth is related to the fact that heat promotes the absorption of water and nutrients, while in cold conditions the process slows down.

In addition, the lack of heat is unfavorable for soil-dwelling microorganisms, since their metabolism slows down, which leads to less release and poorer dissolution of nutrients in the soil. Thus, plant growth slows down in colder climates.

Does soil temperature affect root growth?

Soil temperature affects the rate of development of the root system, including root growth and branching, orientation and direction of growth. When the earth warms up in depth, the roots of the plants easily reach these zones.

Although warmer soil favors the development of roots, excessive heat reduces its quality by accelerating the decomposition of organic matter and the evaporation of moisture. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain the soil in a favorable thermal regime.

Influence of soil temperature on soil properties

Heat has a strong influence on the biological, chemical and physical properties of the soil. To effectively control thermal conditions to achieve your goals, you need to have a clear idea of its influence on the following soil characteristics:

🟢 Biological

Soil temperature in the range of 10 to 24°C is optimal for the activity of soil microorganisms. These values favor the decomposition of organic matter, nitrogen mineralization and the absorption of solutes. On the other hand, low temperatures slow down the activity of microorganisms and the decomposition of organics.

🟢 Chemical

Higher soil temperature favors the decomposition of organic matter. As a result, the process of cation exchange occurs more intensively. The warmer the soil, the more phosphorus is contained in it and can be absorbed by plants.

🟢 Physical

As the soil temperature rises, water evaporation increases. This process can lead to the formation of a soil crust and cracks. In such conditions and with heavy rainfall, the earth is not able to absorb water and it drains on its surface. The warmer the soil, the more carbon dioxide is released from it, as a consequence of the increased activity of microorganisms.

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