answersLogoWhite

0

🧪

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

Cohesionless soil is better or cohesion soil?

Cohesionless soil is generally preferred as it has less tendency to deform and can better resist loads. Cohesion soil, on the other hand, relies on the strength of the inter-particle bonds for stability, which can be weaker in certain conditions. Furthermore, cohesionless soil is more easily compacted and provides better drainage.

What is the most common soil in California?

The most common soil in California is the Mediterranean soil type, which is a mixture of clay, sand, and silt. This type of soil is well-draining and fertile, making it suitable for a wide variety of crops.

Which is better for backfill soil or sand.?

Soil is generally better than sand for backfilling because it provides more nutrients and support for plants to grow. Sand tends to be too loose and does not retain water or nutrients well, which can lead to poor plant growth.

List three factors which should be taken into account when sampling soil in a field?

  1. Soil texture: Sampling should consider variations in soil texture (e.g., sand, silt, clay) as it affects water movement and nutrient availability.
  2. Depth: Soil sampling depth can impact nutrient distribution and root penetration, so samples should be collected from varying depths.
  3. Spatial variability: The spatial distribution of soil properties (e.g., pH, organic matter) can vary within a field, so sampling locations should be selected to capture this variability.

What is bare soil?

Bare soil refers to soil that is exposed and not covered by vegetation or other protective layers. It is vulnerable to erosion, loss of nutrients, and degradation due to factors like weather, wind, and water runoff. To prevent these negative impacts, it is important to protect bare soil through techniques like planting cover crops, mulching, or using erosion-control measures.

What role does water play in each stage of soil formation?

In the weathering stage, water aids in the breakdown of rocks into smaller particles through physical and chemical processes. In the transportation stage, water carries these particles to new locations through erosion and deposition. In the deposition stage, water helps to settle and compact the soil particles into distinct layers, influencing soil structure and texture.

How can you protect soil?

Common ways you can protect soil from erosion are by reducing soil exposure to erosive rain and wind, for example by increasing plant cover or mulching. Constructing terraces in steep land to slow down runoff water and trap soil sediments. Practicing agriculture that doesn't disturb the soil much, like minimum-tillage farming.

Common ways to protect soil fertility include adding fertilizers or farm manure; planting plants that increase soil nutrient, for example legume plants; adding lime to soil that is too acidic; or just leaving a farm land fallow for a season or two helps improve fertility.

Does dirt have cells?

Bacteria are a type of microbe.

Dirt is the generic name for a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, as such it is not a microbe. However, dirt frequently contains bacteria as a constituent.

Why will the US not drill for oil on American soil?

The decision not to drill for oil on American soil may be due to several reasons, such as environmental concerns, potential impact on local communities, economic factors, and prioritizing alternative energy sources. Additionally, regulations and policies play a role in determining where drilling can occur.

What type of Igneous rock is used for soil mixes?

Pumice is a common type of Igneous rock used in soil mixes. It is lightweight and porous, which helps improve aeration and drainage in soil. Pumice is also resistant to decomposition, making it a long-lasting addition to soil mixes.

What should you do to keep soil healthy?

There are multiple things that one can do to make soil more fertile. For larger crops one could use irrigation systems, or crop rotations. For smaller crops, such as a garden or sustinence farming plots, Sending samples to a local farming testin facility. Then you must simple apply the necessary fertilizer that beest fits the type of crops you are attempting to raise.

How do soil horizon form?

Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. Soil is constantly being formed wherever bedrock is exposed.
Soil horizons form as a rock is broken down by weathering and then mixing with other materials on the surface.

What exactly is soil?

Soil is a complex mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, air, and living organisms that forms the outermost layer of the Earth's surface. It provides a medium for plant growth by anchoring roots, supplying nutrients, and regulating water and oxygen availability. Soils vary in composition, texture, and fertility depending on factors like climate, parent material, and biological activity.

In which regions are Deep rich soils found?

Deep rich soils are commonly found in regions with temperate climates, such as the American Midwest, the Great Plains, parts of Europe, and some areas in South America. These regions are known for their fertile agricultural land and are able to support a variety of crops due to the nutrient-rich soil.

Mechanical turning and loosening of the soil?

Mechanical turning and loosening of the soil is commonly done through methods such as plowing, tilling, or rototilling. These processes help break up compacted soil, improve aeration, and promote better water infiltration. This can assist in preparing the soil for planting and promoting healthy root growth for plants.

Soil that has been moved away from its parent bedrock is called?

Soil that has been moved away from its parent bedrock is called transported soil. This can happen through processes like erosion, weathering, or human activities like construction or agriculture. Transported soil can differ in composition and characteristics from in situ soil.

What type of soil is in the interior plains?

The soil in the Interior Plains of North America is typically fertile and a mix of prairie soils and chernozem soils. Prairie soils are rich in organic matter and nutrients, while chernozem soils are dark, fertile soils found in grassland regions.

How does topography influence soil formation?

Topography influences soil formation by affecting the way water flows and accumulates on the land, which influences the distribution of nutrients and organic matter. Steep slopes can lead to erosion, while flat areas may accumulate more sediment and organic material. Different topographic features create microclimates that affect temperature, moisture, and vegetation, all of which influence soil development.

Do animals help with soil conservation?

Yes. Humans manage some grassland by grazing. Grazing animals prevent slow-growing plants from developing. Only grass (which has all the important parts underground) can survive these harsh conditions.
Technically speaking wheat, oats and barley are grasses. So putting land aside for farming would create grassland.


However on the whole grassland is self-sustaining. The Mongolian steppe or American prairies remain grassland because of low rainfall caused by the Himalayas and the Rocky mountains.

What are the causes of nutrient depletion in soil?

Nutrient depletion in soil can be caused by over-farming without sufficient replenishment of nutrients, erosion that washes away topsoil rich in nutrients, leaching of nutrients due to excessive rainfall, and lack of crop rotation or cover crops to help restore nutrients.

Which kind of soil has the smallest rock particles?

Clay soil has the smallest rock particles compared to sand and silt. Clay particles are less than 0.002 mm in diameter, giving the soil its fine texture and ability to hold water well.

What effect does overgrazing have on soil?

Overgrazing can lead to soil degradation by removing vegetation cover, compacting the soil, reducing organic matter content, and promoting erosion. This can result in decreased soil fertility, water retention capacity, and overall ecosystem health.

How does the porosity vary with the amount of clay in the soil?

The voids present between the soil particles are called pore space and the size of these pores depends on whether the ore is between the soil particles or between the soil aggregates. In general, in cultivated lands, soil particles do not exist as single grains and therefore, there are only voids within the soil aggregates or peds and voids between the aggregates. As clay particles play a major role in the formation of soil aggregates by way of binding the soil particles, the particles within the aggregates are micro pores and between the aggregates are macro pores. Depending on the amount of clay particles, the proportion of micro to macro pores may vary and in most cases the soils containing more clay particles favour aggregation and thereby the micro pores and total porosity.

Explain why soil conservation is an important agricultural practice?

because soil is vital to healthy plant growth. soil is useless in the bottom of a lake and at the bottom of storn drains
Almost everything you eat can be traced back to the soil. Fruits and vegetables come from plants grown in soil. Even the milk in ice cream comes from cows that ate plants growing in soil.
water is becoming so scarce in many places and other things are lacking so it is rare to have usable soil.when you have it, its like gold to some people who dont get it very often. :)

How much is one yard in top soil?

The cost of one cubic yard of topsoil can vary widely depending on location, quality, and supplier. However, on average, you can expect to pay between $20 to $80 per yard for topsoil. It's best to contact local suppliers for current pricing in your area.