3.

4 Soil
Fertilizer Texture
Organic matter Loam
Composition Pesticide
Compost Waterlogged
Answer the following
1. What is soil? How is it formed? Name the different types of soil.
Ans. Soil is a mixture of rock particles, sand and dead organic matters. Soil is
formed by weathering. Different types of rock make different type of soils.
They are:
a) Sandy soil – Formed by the weathering of sandstone and quartzite.
b) Clay soil – Formed by the weathering of shale
c) Loam – Consists of mixture of sand and clay

2. What is compost?
Ans. Compost is the decayed organic material used as fertilizer for growing
plants. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant, food waste etc. It
provides nutrients and improves the texture of the soil.

3. How can we maintain the composition of soil?

Ans.We can maintain the composition of soil by:
- Mix air and organic matter with the soil by digging or ploughing.
- Takes out the weeds.
- Waters in dry weather.
- Do not use pesticides.
- Rotate the crops every year.
4. Farmers need to dig and turn the soil over often enough. Give reason.
Ans. The air and organic matter will not mix with the soil if it is not dig and
turned often.
5. It is not good to plant the same crop every year. Give reason.
Ans. The crop uses up the nutrients in the soil. The soil dries out easily and is no
longer good for growing plants.