All About

Soil
All About
Soil
38% of Earths land surface
is used for Agriculture
Soil
Complex plant-supporting system made of:
Disintegrated rock
Remains and wastes of organisms
Water
Gases
Nutrients
Micro-organisms
Soil Formation
Weathering, deposition, decomposition
Factors that influence soil formation
1. Climate
2. Organisms
3. Landforms
4. Parent Material
5. Time
Soil Composition
Minerals 45%
Organic Matter 5%
Water & Air 50%
Micro-organisms
Fungi
Algae
Protists
Bacteria

5 Parts of Soil

1. Gravel
2. Sand
3. Silt
4. Clay
5. Humus
Gravel: Visible rock particles, sometimes referred to as pebbles.

Sand: Soil that is coarse and drains quickly. Sand particles
measure from about 0.006 millimeters to 2.00 millimeters.

Holds little water and
prone to drought
Has less
nutrients for
plants than
smaller
particles
Gritty
Silt: Soil that looks like fine grains or tiny pieces of
rock. Particles classified as silt measure from 0.004 millimeters
to 0.006 millimeters.

retains more water for plants and
have slower drainage than sand.
Easily washed
away by flowing
water highly
erosive.
Holds more
plant nutrients
than sand.
Floury
Clay: A soil that holds water. When wet, clay feels slippery and
slimy. It is made of particles that are smaller than 0.004
millimeters.

Pores spaces are very small
Tremendous
capacity to
adsorb water-
not all
available for
plants.
Humus: A dark, moist soil composed of bits of dead, rotting
insects, animals, leaves, roots, sticks, and food. Humus adds
nutrients to the soil which plants need to grow and live.
What is a
Soil Profile?
O Litter layer (leaves, sticks,
grass etc.) = organic
A Topsoil (mixture of humus
from above and soil from
below)
E downward transport of
minerals (Fe, Al, Ca) into
subsoil; light colored
B subsoil clay & minerals
C weathered parent material
R parent material (bedrock)
Particle size
Conc. OM
Characteristics of the Soil
Horizons
0 Horizon-located on
surface, mostly O.M.
A Horizon-Called
Topsoil, good amounts
of O.M. and minerals.
B Horizon- Known as
Subsoil, Less O.M.
C Horizon- Mostly
parent material, does
little for plant growth.
Weak humus-
mineral mixture
Mosaic
of closely
packed
pebbles,
boulders
Dry, brown to
reddish-brown, with
variable accumulations
of clay, calcium
carbonate, and
soluble salts
Desert Soil
(hot, dry climate)
Grassland Soil
(semiarid climate)
Alkaline,
dark,
and rich
in humus
Clay,
calcium
compounds
Acidic
light-
colored
humus
Iron and
aluminum
compounds
mixed with
clay
Forest litter
leaf mold
Humus-mineral
mixture
Light, grayish-
brown, silt loam
Dark brown
firm clay
Acid litter
and humus
Humus and
iron and
aluminum
compounds
Light-colored
and acidic
Tropical Rain Forest Soil
(humid, tropical climate)
Deciduous Forest Soil
(humid, mild climate)
Coniferous Forest Soil
(humid, cold climate)
Soil Characteristics
Classified by Color, texture,
structure, pH
Color
Reveals composition and fertility
Dark color = more humus

Soil texture
The Percent of sand, silt, clay in a
soil sample
Most soil is a combo of sand, silt,
clay
Equal amounts of all 3 = Loam

Silty soil with
medium pores
or loamy soil
are best for
plant growth
Soil Texture Determines
1) water flow potential
2) water holding capacity
3) fertility potential
4) suitability for many urban
uses like bearing capacity


The major Soil Texture Classes
Sand-largest particle

Silt-medium size
particle

Clay-smallest particle
Using the
Soil Texture
Triangle
What is Soil Structure?

Sand, silt and clay
particles combine with
one anther to form
clusters called
aggregates.
The way in which
aggregates or clusters
are arranged is referred
to as soil structure.
clumpinesscan
mean humus

Soil Structure Categories
pH
Acidity/alkalinity
Affects ability to support plant growth
Acid Rain and leaching can affect pH