SOIL AND THEIR FORMATION

SOIL
• The thin layer of grainy substance covering the
surface of the earth called soil.
• Soil is made up of organic matter ,minerals
and weathered rocks found on the earth.
• The right mix of minerals and organic matter
make the soil fertile.
Top soil with humus and
vegetation.
Weathered rock
Sub soil with sand, silt
material.
and clay.

Parent
Parentrock.
rock.
 Climate
Temperature,
Parent Rock Rainfall influence
Determines rate of weathering
colour, and humus
texture, chemical
properties
mineral, content,
permeability Soil

Time
Determines thickness
Relief of soil profile
Altitude and slope determine
accumulation of soil. Flora, Fauna and
Micro-organism
Affect the rate of humus
formation
Factors affecting soil formation
 Soil Formation
1 . Soil formation or pedogenesis depends first on
weathering. It is this weathering mantle (depth of
the weathered material) which is the basic input
for soil to form.
2. First, the weathered material or transported
deposits are colonised by bacteria and other
inferior plant bodies like mosses and lichens. Also,
several minor organisms may take shelter within
the mantle and deposits. The dead remains of
organisms and plants help in humus accumulation.
later, bushes and trees will start growing
through seeds brought in by birds and
wind. Plant roots penetrate down,
burrowing animals bring up particles,
mass of material becomes porous and
spongelike with a capacity to retain
water and to permit the passage of air
and finally a mature soil, a complex
mixture of mineral and organic product
forms .
DEGRADATION OF SOIL AND CONSERVATION
MEASURES
• Soil erosion and depletion are the major threats to soil as a resource. Both human
and natural factors can lead to degradation of soils.
• Factors which lead to soil degradation are deforestation, overgrazing, overuse of
chemical feritilisers or pesticides, rain wash, landslides and floods.

• Some methods of soil conservation are:-

• Mulching: The bare ground between plants is covered

with a layer of organic matter like straw. It helps to retain soil moisture.

• Contour barriers: Stones, grass, soil are used to build barriers along contours.
Trenches are made in front ofthe barriers to collect water.
• Rock dam: Rocks are piled up to slow down the flow
of water. This prevents gullies and further soil loss.
• Terrace farming: These are made on the steep
slopes so that flat surfaces are available to grow
crops. They can reduce surface run-off and soil
erosion.
• Intercropping: Different crops are grown in
alternate rows and are sown at different times to
protect the soil from rain wash.
• Contour ploughing: Ploughing parallel to the
contours of a hill slope to form a natural barrier for
water to flow down the slope.
Shelter belts:- In the coastal and dry regions,rows
of trees are planted to check the wind movement to
protect soil cover.
TERRACE FARMING
CONTOUR PLOUGHING