Title: Evaluate the physical and chemical properties of soil and soilless substrates.
Course: Introduction to Plant Systems (18051) > Section: Managing Plants: Soil and Soilless Growing Systems

Evaluation should include identifying

- physical properties of soilless substrates
  - bulk density
  - moisture content
  - water-holding capacity
  - air-filled porosity
  - porosity
- chemical properties of soilless substrates
  - pH
  - electrical conductivity (EC)
  - cation exchange capacity (CEC)
  - organic carbon content
  - organic matter content
  - nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content
  - carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio
- ability to support the plant
- ability to provide air, water, and nutrients to the roots
- biological characteristics
  - consequences of the C/N ratio for the biostability of organic materials
  - the substrate availability to welcome and keep phytopathogen or beneficial microorganisms (e.g., fungi, bacteria)
- use of organic and inorganic amendments
- phytotoxicity
- pathogens
- selecting materials based on the environment, species to be cultivated, cultivation phase, and system of cultivation.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are the important characteristics of soil?
- How is land classified?
- What is the composition of the ideal soil?
- What are four things that plants receive from soil?
- What components are commonly used in potting media, and what are their functions?