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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 crops improve soil fertility?

Leguminous crops, such as peas and beans, fix Nitrogen from the air and make it available to plants. "Cover crops" - winter rye for example - planted on the land when it is fallow, and then "plowed under" later - also improve the fertility, if given a season to decompose.

Is a soil magnetic material or a non magnetic material?

it generally depends on the soil content~if it is rich in iron or some other magnetic metals it will magnetize but if it don't it won't..
soil is non-magnetic but iron filings in it are magnetic

Which type of soil has more absortion rate of water?

clayey soil absorbs more water as it has large quantity of fine particles packed tightly together so air cannot get in it they are less aerated and therefore water gets into the soil because of the less amount of air ......

What is putting soil?

Putting soil refers to the act of adding soil to a certain area, such as a garden bed or a container, to improve its composition, fertility, or drainage. This process can help plants grow better and provide them with the necessary nutrients and support for healthy development.

When dead plants decay quicky in warm soil they produce rich?

When dead plants decay quickly in warm soil, they produce rich humus which is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that promotes plant growth. This process is beneficial for soil fertility and helps provide essential nutrients for plants to thrive.

What is common uses of soil?

Common uses of soil include plant growth for agriculture, landscaping for gardens, construction of buildings and roads, as a foundation for septic systems, and as a medium for water filtration and purification.

What is soil's ability to transmit water called?

Soil's ability to transmit water is called permeability. Permeability refers to how easily water can flow through soil due to the presence of interconnected pores or spaces between soil particles. Highly permeable soil allows water to move through quickly, while low permeability soil retains water and can lead to waterlogging.

How is an ecosystem affected by soil?

It is an integral part of the water cycle, the carbon cycle and the nitrogen cycle. It is the medium for plant growth, which is the basis for all food energy in an ecosystem (with the exception of some ecosystems that are dependent on chemotrophs).

Fertile soils mean abundant plant growth, provided the climate is hospitable, which means abundant animal life is also possible due to food and habitat availability.

What is the wearing away of soil by wind?

The wearing away of soil by wind is known as wind erosion. It occurs when wind carries and transports soil particles, causing them to collide with and abrade other surfaces, leading to the loss of topsoil. Wind erosion can have detrimental effects on soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

Why don't all soil profiles contain all horizons?

Soil formation is influenced by a combination of factors, including climate, parent material, organisms, topography, and time. Not all soil profiles will have all horizons because these factors interact differently in each location, leading to variations in soil development. Additionally, human activities such as agriculture or construction can disturb or remove certain horizons, further altering the soil profile.

What is meant by the in organic parts of soil?

The inorganic parts of soil refer to the non-living components such as minerals, rocks, water, and air. These components are essential for soil structure and function, providing support for plant roots, regulating water and nutrient availability, and influencing soil fertility. Organic matter, on the other hand, refers to the living and decaying components in the soil such as plant and animal residues.

What effect does climate have on parent material?

Parent material composition has a direct impact on soil chemistry and fertility. The parent material is the material that soil develops from, or material that has been deposited by wind, water, or ice. That is how the climate effects the parent material.

What can contaminate soil?

Common contaminants of soil include chemicals from agricultural practices (fertilizers, pesticides), industrial activities (heavy metals, solvents), household waste (oil, paints), and sewage. These contaminants can lead to soil pollution and affect the health of plants, animals, and humans.

When can you say that the soil is fertile?

Soil can be considered fertile when it contains a balanced combination of nutrients needed for plant growth, has good structure allowing for air and water movement, and supports a diverse ecosystem of organisms. This results in healthy plant growth and high productivity.

What are the causes of expansion and contraction of water in soil formation?

Expansion of water in soil formation can be caused by freezing and thawing cycles, leading to frost wedging. Contraction of water can occur when water evaporates from the soil, resulting in shrinkage. Both expansion and contraction play important roles in shaping soil structure and contributing to the weathering of rocks.

Why is topsoil important part of the soil?

Topsoil is important because it contains high levels of organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial microorganisms that support plant growth. It also provides a hospitable environment for plant roots to anchor and absorb water and nutrients. Maintaining healthy topsoil is crucial for sustaining agriculture and natural ecosystems.

What happens to the soil as water poured on it?

When water is poured on soil, it can help to moisten and hydrate the soil, making it more conducive to plant growth. The water can also help dissolve nutrients in the soil, making them more accessible to plants. Additionally, excess water can lead to soil erosion if not managed properly.

What anchor plants and absorb water and minerals from the soil?

Although moss does not have a true root system, it does have growths called rhizoids, which are root-like. These growths anchor moss to soil, or other surfaces. Moss draws moisture from the air.

How might dust become an agent of soil formation?

Dust can contribute to soil formation by introducing new minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms to the environment. When dust settles on the Earth's surface, it can mix with other materials like water, plant debris, and decaying organisms to create soil over time through processes like weathering and decomposition.

What is the role of water in soil erosion?

The rate of erosion depends on many factors. Erosion is caused by "fluid flow". Any substance, like water, wind, or ice, which flows consistently from one place to another, will facilitate erosion. The geologic factors include the sediment or rock type, its porosity and permeability, the slope (gradient) of the land, and whether the rocks are tilted, faulted, folded, or weathered. The biological factors include ground cover from vegetation or lack thereof, the type of organisms inhabiting the area, and the land use.

Is water important in soil formation?

Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) of primarily mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics. In engineering, soil is referred to as regolith, or loose rock material. Strictly speaking, soil is the depth of regolith that influences and has been influenced by plant roots.

Soil is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and mechanical processes that include weathering and erosion. Soil differs from its parent rock due to interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and the biosphere.It is a mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and aqueous states. Soil is commonly referred to as earth or dirt; technically, the term dirt should be restricted to displaced soil.Soil forms a structure that is filled with pore spaces, and can be thought of as a mixture of solids, water and air (gas). Accordingly, soils are often treated as a three state system. Most soils have a density between 1 and 2 g/cm³.Little of the soil composition of planet Earth is older than the Tertiary and most no older than the Pleistocene.

Does the poinsettia like acid soil?

Poinsettias prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

What type of mass movement moves the most soil?

Landslides are typically the type of mass movement that moves the most soil. They can occur quickly and displace large amounts of soil and rock downslope due to a variety of triggers such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities.

When soil is washed or worn away?

This process of soil being washed or worn away is known as erosion. Erosion can be caused by water, wind, or other natural forces, as well as human activities like deforestation or improper land use. Erosion can lead to loss of soil fertility, increased flooding, and sediment pollution in nearby water bodies.