understand the influence of soil temperature on the rate of plant growth, the

danger of excessive heat to young seedlings and the danger of frost to some
crops, and the methods of reducing the effect of extreme temperatures by
mulching of seed-beds and shading of transplanted seedlings

Soil
Tanatswa Ticharwa

Influence of soil temperature on the rate of plant growth

Nutrient uptake

 Increased metabolic activities in increased soil temperature recycles a lot of compounds making
nutrients available.

 Decreased metabolic activities in low temperature decreases compound recycling and nutrient
availability decreases

Root growth

 Increased temperature improves root growth because increased metabolic activities in roots increases
aeration and improves soil texture making it easy for roots to develop.
  In low temperature there is reduced tissue nutrient concentration as there is low metabolic activities
and no soil improvement results in decreased root growth.

Water uptake

 In low temperatures water uptake decreases as there is low transpiration resulting in reduced rate of
photosynthesis

The danger of excessive heat to young seedlings

 There is reduced transpiration rate in the plant leading to reduction in plant productivity and yields
due to the reduced photosynthesis rate.
 Wilting due to excessive transpiration rate.

Danger of frost to some plants

 It causes physical damage as nucleation of ice crystals rapture cell walls and cell membranes. This is
due to the thaw that happens

Reducing the effects of extreme temperatures by mulching of seedbeds

 There is reduced transpiration in high temperatures as the mulch is good at retaining moisture
 It keeps soil from becoming too cold as this keeps microorganisms alive in the soil and crop
development can still take place
 Mulch regulates the soil temperature as it acts as insulation

Reducing the effects of extreme temperatures by shading of transplanted

seedlings
 It keeps plants cool and prevents excessive transpiration.
 It prevents killing of microorganisms by high soil temperature