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Why do clay and organic soils hold nutrient better then sandy soils?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Clay and organic soils hold nutrients better then sandy soils because the sandy soils as the water drains away, the water will carry the nutrients with it. This is called leaching and the nutrients will not be available for the plants to use.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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Why is sandy soil acidic?
If one only considers the soil texture, the main driving force for a faster increase in pH in sandy soils is the faster leaching process. Because of the coarse texture of sand, water can easily move through the sandy layers and leach out chemical elements. Naturally, all soils tend to acidify through time if no actions are taken. This proces happens much faster in sandy soils. pH increasing elements such as carbonate (from the weathering of calcium carbonate, very abundant in soils) leach out very quickly. Also the organic decomposition rate is much higher when water is moving faster trhough the soil. This decomposition acidifies the soil as well. Looking at the texture only, a sandy soil is more acidic, just because it is in a further state of weathering, compared to other textures such as clay.
Will spraying ammonia on soil loosen it?
No! On heavy clay soils apply gypsum also lots organic matter and one can also incorporate sand, gravel but gypsum and organic matter are the go
How can you calculate organic matter content in soil?
The amount of oxidizable organic carbon and the degree of weight loss from sustained temperatures at 680 degrees Fahrenheit (360 degrees Celsius) are ways to calculate the organic matter content in soil. The first-mentioned measure is the Walkley-Black method that employs hazardous chromic acid in soils whose organic matter measures at less than two percent. The second-mentioned measure is the Weight Loss on Ignition method whose weight loss gets correlated with oxidizable organic carbon in soils whose organic matter measures at more than six percent.
What is the chemical formula for humine powder?
The humic acid is not a single substance; it is a mixture of organic compounds from soils.
How long does it take to soak in soil?
Depends entirely on the type of garden soil you have. Water soaks into sandy soil very rapidly, into garden loam fairly rapidly. Soils with high clay content slow down the absorption, and absorption slows to a snails pace in pure clay.
What soil contains most nutrients?
Some clays and particularly organic soils (like humus) hold nutrients and water much better than sandy soils do. the soil that contains the most nutrients is the loam.
How do you fertilise sandy soil?
You should either fertilize sandy soils with slow release fertilizers, like organic fertilizers, or add nutrients slowly with irrigation water. Sandy soils have less ability to hold nutrients than other soils, and soluble nutrients can leach out very quickly.
Do clay soils have more permeability than sandy soils?
Sandy soils are much more permeable that clay soils.
Why do you think that earthworms are most likely to be found in rich soils instead of sandy soil?
Earthworms obtain their food from the organic material found in soil. This means that they are more likely to be found in soils with high organic content.
What soils found in found in the tropical evergreen forests?
Soil is nutrient-poor and acidic. Decomposition is rapid and soils are subject to heavy leaching.
How do clay soils differ from sandy soils?
The sandy soils let the water pass through but the clay soils hold the water
What are soils that are prone to liquefy?
sandy soils
What is the color of hydro?
clay soils, loamy soils and sandy soils
Are deserts covered with thin sandy or gravelly soil that contains little organic matter?
Yes, desert soils are mostly sand and rock fragments and little organic matter.
Why are sandy soils generally less fertile than clayey soil?
Sandy soils are generally less fertile than clay soils because they do not hold water as well as clay soils. Clay soils are usually fertile and hold more nutrients than sandy soils.
What are the sand characteristics?
Sandy soils have a particle size of .05 mm to 2.00 mm, states the University of Georgia. According to RAIN.org, sandy soils are porous and do not hold onto moisture or nutrients well. They feel gritty when rubbed between the hands. Sandy soils are known for excellent drainage capability. Sandy soils are derived from such degraded rocks as limestone, quartz, granite and shale, states EAIS. To improve their growing capability, you can add organic matter, such as peat, compost or manure.
What are the problems when using organic matter in soils?
Nutrient unavailability, soil pathogens, and weed seeds are problems when using organic matter in soils. Too high an amount of organic matter can increase phosphorus concentrations to polluting levels. Ratios in excess of 30 to 1 for carbon and nitrogen make soils and soil food web members, such as plant roots, deficient in nitrogen.
