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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 are soils that allow water to pass through them faster?

Loose or sandy soils allow water to percolate(pass) through them faster

What happens when it rains on sandy soil?

When it rains on sandy soil, the water tends to drain quickly because sand has large particles and poor water retention capacity. This can lead to leaching of nutrients from the soil and poor moisture retention for plants. In some cases, heavy rainfall on sandy soil can cause erosion due to the loose nature of the soil.

Why do farmers add manures and fertilizers to the soil?

Farmers add manures and fertilizers to the soil to replenish nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Manures provide organic matter and nutrients, while fertilizers supply specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that may be deficient in the soil. This helps promote healthy plant growth, increase crop yields, and maintain soil fertility.

What is soil borne disease?

Soil-borne diseases are plant diseases caused by pathogens that live and multiply in soil. These pathogens can infect plants through their roots, leading to various symptoms such as wilting, stunting, and yellowing of leaves. Good soil management practices, such as crop rotation and using disease-resistant varieties, can help manage soil-borne diseases.

What is meant by unproductive soils?

Unproductive soils refer to soils that have poor fertility, low organic matter content, and limited ability to support plant growth. These soils may lack essential nutrients, have a high acidity or alkalinity, or be compacted, restricting root growth and water infiltration. Improving soil health through proper management practices can help make unproductive soils more productive for agriculture or other uses.

What is the definition of soil stratification?

Soil stratification refers to the horizontal layering of soil into distinct horizontal layers or horizons based on differences in color, texture, structure, composition, and other properties. These layers form due to the accumulation and deposition of materials over time, leading to distinct characteristics in each layer. Soil scientists use soil stratification to understand soil formation processes and make assessments for agricultural or environmental purposes.

How you can reduce and check soil pollution?

There are many factors which control the soil pollution. It includes the limited use of fertilizers and pesticides. The biological control method must be known and implemented. The grazing must be controlled and forest management should be done properly. The afforestation and reforestation must be done. In areas of wind erosion wind breaks and shields must be used. The soil binding grass must be planted and the large trees must be placed along the banks. The industrial wastes must be dumped in the low lying areas. There is a definite technique of cropping which does not allow the weeds to settle on the fields. The mining ways must be improved along with their transportation. The area must not be left barren and dry

When you spray water on dry soil then why does it smells good?

The smell you are experiencing is called petrichor, caused by a combination of plant oils and organic compounds released by soil-dwelling bacteria when they come into contact with water. The rainwater carries these compounds to your nose, creating the pleasant earthy scent.

How do plowing is helpful for soil?

Plowing helps to loosen and aerate the soil, allowing for improved water infiltration and root penetration for plants. It also helps to bury crop residues and weeds, which can be beneficial for soil health and reduce competition for nutrients. Additionally, plowing can help to control pests and diseases by disturbing their habitats.

How can farmers reduce soil compaction when using heavy machinery?

I was actually learning about pressure in school the other day and I think I have a pretty decent answer. The soil will compact because of the pressure applied by the vehicle. The formula is Pressure = Force (measured in newtons [there a 9.8 newtons in a kilogram]) divide area (measured in meters squared). There 's nothing you can do about the force but you can do something about the area. To increase the area you can really only do two things: 1. get a larger (wider) set of tires to decrease the pressure each one displaces 2. spread out the tires more (by this I mean instead of having the tires only 2 meters apart have them 4 meters apart) this will increase the total area and decrease the overall pressure. This is all the information I have so hope it helps and byee 8)

What is the saturation horizon?

The saturation horizon refers to the depth in the subsurface where all the pore spaces in a rock are filled with fluid. Below this horizon, the rock is completely saturated with fluid, usually water or hydrocarbons, and any additional fluid injected will displace some of the existing fluid.

What are the components of sandy soil?

Sandy soils are formed from weathered rocks such as limestone, quartz, granite, and shale and also contain more or less organic matter.
Composition:
more than 35% sand, less than 15% silt and clay

What factors affect the rate of soil eroision?

Factors that affect the rate of soil erosion include steepness of slopes, intensity of rainfall, land use practices (such as deforestation or agriculture), soil type, and vegetation cover. Human activities, such as overgrazing and improper land management, can also accelerate soil erosion.

What type of soil is best suited for growing crops?

Loam soil is considered one of the best soil types for growing crops because it has a good balance of sand, silt, and clay that provides adequate drainage, water retention, and nutrients for plant growth. It is easy to work with and supports healthy root development.

What does soil erosion control mean?

It means growing vegetation to prevent the dirt from being washed away by natural impacts. For example rain washes away soil and animals also displace soil. Erosion control measures like the ones you see on a dirt path for example (wood laid flat along the high side of a path) are there to make sure the soil is not eroded away.

What are the 3 particles that make up soil?

The three primary particles that make up soil are sand, silt, and clay. Sand particles are larger and provide good drainage, silt particles are intermediate in size and improve soil fertility, while clay particles are the smallest and help retain water and nutrients. The proportion of these three particles determines soil texture and quality.

What are the properties of silty soil?

Silty Soil

Silty soil is considered to be among the most fertile of soils. Silt is often found in river estauries, because the fine particles are washed downstream and deposited when the water flows more slowly. It is also soft and smooth, with individual pieces close together. It too holds a lot of water, but the slightly larger particles make it a little better at draining than clay.

OR

Silty Soil

To check if the soil you have is silty, take a small amount of moist soil and rub it between your fingers. If the soil is silty soil, it will feel slick and stick to your fingers.

Silty soil is considered to be one of the most fertile of soils. It can occur in nature as soil or as suspended sediment in water column of a water body on the surface of the earth. It is composed of minerals like quartz and fine organic particles. It is granular like sandy soil but it has more nutrients than sandy soil and offers better drainage. In case silty soil is dry it has a smoother texture and looks like dark sand. This type of soil can hold more moisture and at times becomes compact. It offers better drainage and is much easier to work with when it has moisture.

What is the colour of lime that is added to sweeten soil?

The lime added to sweeten the soil is usually white limestone. It makes soil less acidic.

What were the major causes for the soil there to become depleted?

Major causes for soil depletion include intensive agricultural practices, such as over-farming without proper crop rotation, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and deforestation leading to erosion. These practices can strip the soil of essential nutrients, decrease its ability to hold water, and degrade its overall quality for plant growth.

What is a dark colored organic material?

A dark colored organic material could be things like soil, compost, peat, or humus. These materials are rich in organic matter and are often used as amendments to improve soil health and fertility.

Why deltaic alluvium is more fertile than the coastal alluvium?

Deltaic alluvium is more fertile than coastal alluvium because it contains a higher concentration of nutrients from the sediment carried downstream by rivers. This sediment is deposited in deltas, creating nutrient-rich soil suitable for agriculture. Coastal alluvium, on the other hand, may be more influenced by coastal erosion and lack the same level of nutrient content.

What horizon is formed first?

The apparent horizon is formed first in the evolution of a black hole. It represents the point from which no light can escape, defining the boundary of a black hole's event horizon.

What is the transfer of nitrogen from air to soil to organism and back to air and soil?

Nitrogen fixation by certain bacteria in soil converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants. Plants take up nitrogen from soil through their roots, incorporating it into their tissues. When plants and animals die, decomposers break down their remains, releasing nitrogen back into the soil. Some nitrogen is also released back into the atmosphere through processes like denitrification.

Worms break down dead plants in the soil Which property of nutrients shows that they are matter?

The property of nutrients that shows they are matter is that they have mass and occupy space. This means they have physical properties and can interact with other substances, such as being broken down by worms in the soil.

How much does a dump truck load of top soil cost?

The cost of a dump truck load of topsoil can vary depending on the supplier, quality of the topsoil, and your location. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $800 for a dump truck load of topsoil. It's best to obtain quotes from local suppliers to get an accurate price.