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One of the main sources of heat energy is soil. The energy that the soil holds during the warm season is released during the cold. Soil temperature is the result of heat transfer between the soil and atmosphere. Solar radiation is the main factor influencing soil temperature. The annual and daily changes in soil temperature are influenced by the sun's rays and air temperature. Physical, chemical, and biological soil processes are all governed by the soil temperature. Additionally, it influences mineralization, the rate at which organic matter decomposes, and plant growth. The retention, transmission, and availability of water to plants are all impacted by soil temperature.

Factors influencing soil temperature:

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The two main factors that affect soil temperature are as follows:

1. The amount of heat available to the soil surface.
   These elements include the color of the soil, mulching, solar radiations, slope of the land surface, vegetation cover, organic matter content, and evaporation.

2. Amount of heat dissipated from soil surface down to the soil profile.
   These factors include; moisture content and bulk density.

Effect of soil temperature on some soil properties:

Effect of soil on biological properties:

• Bioactivity:

The temperature of the soil ranges from 10 to 28 degrees Celsius. Soil temperature increases extracellular enzyme activity, degrades organic matter in the soil, and increases microbial respiration. Increased soil temperature increases the rate of nitrogen mineralization by increasing microbial activity and the decomposition of soil organic matter. When soil temperatures fall below the freezing point, microbial activity is inhibited, which slows mineralization.

• Soil microorganism:

Low soil temperature reduces soil microbial activity. Soil microorganisms require temperatures ranging from 10 to 35.6 degrees Celsius to function.

• Soil macro-organisms:

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The metabolism of soil macroorganisms is higher when the soil temperature is between 10 and 24 Celsius, but at extremely high temperatures, such as 58 Celsius, the macroorganisms die from the unfavorable temperature. Macroorganisms in the soil cannot survive in temperatures below zero.

• Organic matter decomposition:

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Because of the slow rate of decomposition, organic matter begins to accumulate in soil at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius. Organic matter decomposition accelerates at temperatures ranging from 2 to 38 degrees Celsius due to increased microbial activity and movement of soluble substrates in soil.

Effect of soil chemical properties:

• Cation exchange capacity:

The capacity of the soil to exchange cations decreases as soil temperature rises. High temperature causes a reduction in organic matter and clay size, which lowers the soil's ability to exchange cations.

• Available phosphorus:

The concentration of water soluble phosphorus increases at soil temperatures ranging from 50 to 250 degrees Celsius due to increased phosphorus movement in the soil via diffusion. Because of the difficulty in releasing phosphorus from organic matter at low temperatures, the concentration of phosphorus in soil decreases.

• Soil PH:

The PH of the soil rises at temperatures ranging from 25 to 39 degrees Celsius due to denaturation of organic acid at high temperatures.

Effect of soil physical properties:

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• Soil structure:

Increased soil temperature causes dehydration in clay particles, which results in strong interaction between clay particles and less clay and more silt-sized particles. High temperatures cause sand particle cracking and reduce the size of sand particles in soil. A rise in soil temperature reduces clay and sand particles while increasing silt particles.

• Aggregate stability:

Aggregate stability is caused by the transformation of iron and aluminum oxides, which act as strengthening agents for clay particles, resulting in the formation of strong silt particles. The aggregate stability of soil increases at 30 degrees Celsius.

• Soil moisture content:

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Increased soil temperature causes a decrease in soil moisture content as well as a decrease in water viscosity. Reduced shade and increased soil temperature result in high evaporation rates from the soil surface, which reduces water movement in the soil profile.

• Soil aeration:

High temperatures stimulate the activity of microorganisms in the soil, resulting in increased carbon dioxide production. The concentration of carbon dioxide in soil air is also affected by temperature.

Effects of soil temperature on plant growth:

The rate at which water and nutrients are absorbed by plants, as well as the development of their roots and shoots, are all effected by the soil temperature.

• Water uptake:

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Low soil temperature slows down plant water uptake as well as the rate at which plants absorb water. Reduced water absorption causes a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis.

• Nutrient uptake:

An increase in soil temperature stimulates the metabolism of the soil, which in turn increases the nutrients available to plants. Due to the high soil water viscosity and low activity of root nutrient transport at low soil temperatures, plant nutrient uptake is reduced.

• Root growth:

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Root growth increases as a result of the soil temperature rising because root cells' metabolism is active more. Due to the lower tissue nutrient concentration caused by low temperature, root growth is decreased.

Conclusion:

For the maintenance of plant life, soil is crucial because it provides mechanical support, nutrients, and water. The temperature of the soil regulates a number of biological processes and is a significant source of heat. Temperature of the soil affects soil moisture, soil aeration, and it also affects plant growth by giving plants the nutrients they need to grow.

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