Aeration

Soil aeration affects plant growth, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, soil remediation, and soil morphology. In a general sense, soil aeration is the interchange of gases between the atmosphere and the earth, but often refers more specifically to oxygen status which is largely affected by respiration of plant roots and soil microbes. Soil-atmosphere exchange of gases also results from other biogeochemical reactions that consume or produce gases and physical processes of diffusion and convection which are influenced by soil texture, structure, water content, and temperature. This chapter provides an overview of the key processes affecting and affected by soil aeration. Graphical abstract