Heat movement in soil
Like soil moisture, soil heat and its value varies with time and space which determines rates and direction of soil physical processes including the exchange with atmosphere i.e. evaporation and aeration. Soil temperature strongly influences biological processes such as
Þ Seed germination
Þ Seed emergence
Þ Plant growth
Þ Root development
Þ Microbial activity in soils
Þ Moisture supply e.g. transport of water and nutrients in soil is lowered by low temperature
Þ Availability of plant nutrients like N, P, S.
Soil temperature also affects soil aeration, soil structure, and microbial activity in soil.