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Soil

Soil, by definition, is a earthly compound comprised of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) matter that is formed in several layers over millions of years. It is the very component of the Earth that plants need to root themselves and grow in in order to feed all animal life. There are many different types of soil across the globe for each continent and biome, and each type has its characteristics that depict what plants can grow where, when, and how. Questions and answers about soil can be asked and answered here.

10,730 Questions

What is stony soil?

Stony soil is a type of soil that contains a high proportion of rocks, stones, and gravel within its composition. This type of soil tends to have poor drainage and is not well-suited for agriculture or gardening without proper amending.

What happens when you mix clay and sand?

When you mix clay and sand, the clay particles fill in the spaces between the sand particles, resulting in a mixture with improved workability and strength compared to using each material alone. This mixture is commonly used in construction for making bricks, ceramics, and pottery due to its balanced properties.

What are non colloidal soils?

Non-colloidal soils are soils that do not contain clay particles, which are responsible for colloidal properties such as cation exchange capacity and high surface area. These soils typically have larger particle sizes, such as sand and silt, and do not have the ability to hold onto and exchange nutrients and water as effectively as colloidal soils.

What is involved in soil remediation?

Soil remediation involves adding substances to the soil which have been depleted or lost in order to ensure that the soil will grow plants or trees again. The process is often used when soil has been overgrazed by domesticated animals such as sheep, or after farmers have planted the same crop too many years in a row.

Why does life in soil require water and oxygen?

Water is essential for soil life because it provides hydration for organisms to function and allows for the movement of nutrients. Oxygen is needed for soil organisms to carry out respiration, breaking down organic matter and releasing energy for growth and reproduction. Both water and oxygen are necessary for a healthy soil ecosystem to support diverse microbial life.

Where can one buy a soil pH meter?

You can buy a soil pH meter at gardening stores, hardware stores, online retailers like Amazon, or specialty garden centers. You may also find them in stores that sell gardening supplies or agricultural equipment.

How can individuals help to to address soil degradation?

Individuals can help address soil degradation by practicing sustainable agriculture techniques such as crop rotation and cover cropping, using organic fertilizers, reducing tillage, and planting trees to prevent erosion. Supporting local farms that practice sustainable agriculture and advocating for policies that protect soil health are also effective ways to combat soil degradation. Additionally, reducing food waste and composting organic materials can help return nutrients back to the soil.

What is peat soil and where it is found?

Peat soil is a type of soil made up of partially decomposed organic matter, primarily from mosses and other wetland plants. It is commonly found in wet and boggy areas where there is excess water preventing the complete decomposition of organic matter. Peat soil is important for carbon sequestration and as a habitat for unique plant and animal species.

Which soil is suitable for jowar cultivation?

he kharif jowar-based cropping patterns.

The area under the kharif jowar in India is highest inMaharashtra (2.5 m ha), closely followed by madhya Pradesh (2.3 m ha), whereas in each of the states of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat, the area under thiscropsis between 1.0 and 1.4 mha. Jowar is mainly grown where rainfall distribution ranges from 10-20 per month at least for 3 to 4months of the south-westerly monsoon or is still more abundant.On the all-India basis, about 17 major cropping patterns have been identified. In them the basecropsiskharif jowar. Most of the alternativecrops are also of the type which can be grown under medium rainfall.In Maharashtra cotton, pulses, groundnut and small millets are sown as alternativecrops. In the adjacentstates of Madhya Pradesh, besides the above alternative crops, wheat and fodder are sown. In Rajasthanwheat, cotton, bajra and maize are grown in the kharif-jowar tract, whereas in Andhra Pradesh,groundnuts, cotton, oilseeds and pulses form the main alternativecrops.Besides cotton and groundnut,ragi is sown in the kharif-jowar tarct of Karnataka, whereas in Gujarat, bajra, cotton and groundnut are the major alternative crops

What is main mineral that affect the soil colour?

Iron is the main mineral that affects soil color. It can impart red, yellow, or brown hues to soil depending on its oxidation state.

How does forest prevent too much water from eroding the soil?

Forests help prevent soil erosion by absorbing and slowing down the flow of water with their root systems and vegetation. The roots of trees and plants hold the soil in place, reducing the impact of rainfall and runoff. The leaf litter and organic matter in forests also help to improve soil structure and reduce the risk of erosion.

Where is latrite soil found?

Laterite soils occur naturally in warmer and tropical regions. Marked by their strong red colour, they contain iron and aluminium. In Geology, they are also sometimes a marker indicating that a region used to ahve a hot climate.

What type soil is needed to plant a cactus?

Cacti thrive in well-draining soil that is sandy or gritty, such as a cactus mix or a succulent mix. This type of soil helps prevent water-retention, which is important for cacti as they are susceptible to root rot if left in soil that stays too wet.

Do gas stations affect the soil around it?

Yes, gas stations can affect the soil around them through leaks and spills of fuel, oil, and other chemicals. These substances can contaminate the soil, impacting its quality and potentially posing risks to human health and the environment. Proper monitoring and maintenance practices are important to minimize these impacts.

What is fertility age?

Fertility age refers to the period in a person's life when they are most biologically capable of reproducing. In women, this typically ranges from puberty to menopause, with the highest fertility occurring in the late teens to late 20s. Men generally have a longer fertility window, but it can decline with age as well.

What type of soil are found in chhattisgarh?

The soil of the Surguja District can be broadly classified into four major types: red and yellow soils, alluvial soils, laterite soils, and medium blue soils.

Red and yellow soils are derived from the parent rocks of the Gondwana System including sedimentary rocks. They are formed in-situ from the erosion of such rocks caused by rain. This soil is found particularly in east Sitapur, south Ambikapur, central Surajpur and Pratappur blocks. The red color is due to wide diffusion of iron while hydration of ferric oxide results in a yellow color in the soil. This soil is of lighter texture and has a porous and friable structure. Soluble salt is found in small quantities. Lime, kankar and free kankar are totally absent. These soils are poor in potash, nitrogen, humus and carbonate and differ greatly in consistency, color, depth and fertility. On the uplands they are thin and gravelly, sandy, porous and light coloured alluvium, generally transported from elsewhere, are found along river banks in alternate layers of sand and silt in East Ramanujganj, North Ambikapur, and Surajpur, along the river banks of the Rihand, Kanhar, and the Hasdeo rivers and their major tributaries. The colour of the soil is not uniform but varies from yellow to grey. Laterite soils are well developed on the summits of the plateau regions of Samri and Sitapur tehsil including Shankargargh, Kusmi, Sitapur, Batoli and Mainpat blocks of Mainpat, Jamirapat, Lahsunpat and Jonkpat. They play a main role in development of Chhattisgarh.

How are some of the soil gradations classified?

Soil gradation is a type of classification that ranks coarse soil based on the size of its particles. Soil gradation is found by studying the results of a sieve analysis or a hydrometer analysis.

How does water move through and on top of earth's rock and soil layers?

Water can move through Earth's rock and soil layers through a process called infiltration, where it percolates downward due to gravity. It can also move laterally through rock and soil layers via a process called percolation or through fractures and pore spaces in the materials. On the surface, water can flow over the ground as runoff, either flowing into bodies of water or infiltrating back into the ground.

Do roses need lime?

Roses only need lime if the soil they are planted in is too acidic. Roses grow best in soil that displays pH levels of between 5.5 to 7.0. If levels are lower then this amount, adding lime can help boost the pH.

What is the result of exhaustion of soil fertility?

The exhaustion of soil fertility leads to decreased crop yields, poor plant health, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. This can result in food insecurity, loss of biodiversity, and degradation of the ecosystem. Replenishing soil fertility through practices such as crop rotation, organic matter addition, and using cover crops is essential for sustainable agriculture.

What is the purpose of soil liquefaction?

Soil liquefaction occurs when loosely packed, water-saturated soil temporarily loses strength during an earthquake, causing it to behave like a liquid. The purpose of studying soil liquefaction is to understand how it can impact the stability of structures and infrastructure built on these soils, and to develop strategies to mitigate its effects through proper engineering and construction techniques.

What is subsoil and seabed?

Subsoil is the layer of soil beneath the topsoil, containing deposits of minerals, nutrients, and organic matter. Seabed refers to the bottom of a sea or ocean, also containing sediments, marine life, and resources like oil and gas. Both subsoil and seabed play important roles in supporting ecosystems and providing resources for various human activities.

How much years it takes to develop 1cm of soil?

It can take hundreds to thousands of years to develop just 1 cm of soil, depending on factors such as climate, parent material, vegetation cover, and erosion rates. The process is slow and involves the gradual weathering of rocks, decomposition of organic matter, and accumulation of minerals.

What is the difference between soil and organic soil?

Soil is the naturally occurring mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that support plant growth. Organic soil specifically refers to soil that has a higher content of organic matter, such as decomposed plant material or compost, which can improve soil fertility and structure. Organic soil is often preferred for gardening and agriculture because it can provide additional nutrients and help retain moisture better than regular soil.

What is the best home choice for a growing family?

A good home choice for a growing family is a three bedroom home in a family-friendly neighbourhood. With three bedrooms two children can have separate rooms, but having two kids share a room if the family grows to three or four is not overly crowded. Ideally it would be near a park and not far from an elementary school. Big backyards are also a nice feature for a family home.