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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
Where is the most productive soil found in the world?
The most productive soil in the world is typically found in regions with a temperate climate, such as the grasslands of the Midwest United States or the pampas in Argentina. These areas have fertile soils rich in nutrients that support high agricultural productivity.
What is soil deposited by water kwown as?
Soil deposited by water is known as alluvium. This type of soil is typically made up of silt, clay, sand, and gravel deposits that have been carried and deposited by streams, rivers, and other bodies of water.
The four soil horizons are O horizon (organic layer), A horizon (topsoil), B horizon (subsoil), and C horizon (parent material). These horizons make up the soil profile and each has distinct characteristics based on their composition and arrangement.
What is the farming practice that will make the soil infertile?
Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, monocropping, excessive tilling, and improper irrigation practices can lead to soil degradation and infertility. These practices can lead to loss of essential nutrients, disruption of soil structure, and a decrease in beneficial soil microorganisms, making it difficult for plants to thrive.
How might a fallen leaf eventually become part of soil?
When a fallen leaf decomposes, it is broken down by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. These organisms feed on the leaf, breaking it down into simpler organic compounds. Over time, these compounds release nutrients into the soil, enriching it and contributing to the soil's fertility.
What works against gravity as water infiltrates the soil and moves underground?
This force is called capillary action.
What type of soil is good for cultivation?
Loam soil is optimal for cultivation as it provides a balanced mixture of sand, silt, and clay, allowing for good water drainage and nutrient retention. This type of soil offers a favorable environment for root growth and plant development.
Forest soil is the layer of soil found in forests, characterized by a mix of organic matter, minerals, and microorganisms. It plays a vital role in supporting plant growth and ecosystem health in forest ecosystems. Forest soils tend to be rich in nutrients and are essential for the cycling of nutrients within the forest ecosystem.
Is it true that the c horizon is a soil layer containing only partly weathered rock?
Yes, that is correct. The C horizon is composed of loose rock material that is partially weathered but has not yet been fully broken down into soil particles. This layer is often found below the B horizon in soil profiles.
What soil characteristics are most beneficial for agriculture?
Soil characteristics that are most beneficial for agriculture include good drainage, sufficient nutrient content, proper pH level, and high organic matter content. These characteristics allow for healthy root growth, efficient nutrient uptake, and overall improved crop productivity.
What do you call water downward through openings in the soil?
Percolation is the term used to describe water moving downward through openings in the soil, such as pores and cracks. This process is important for groundwater recharge and nutrient transport in ecosystems.
What type of soil can become hard as stone when it dries out?
Clay soil can become hard as stone when it dries out due to its fine particles that compact tightly together when water evaporates. This compaction can make it difficult for roots to penetrate and hinder water drainage.
What are the 4 classes of organic matter in the body?
The four classes of organic matter in the body are carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, and nucleic acids. These compounds play essential roles in various biological processes and are key components of cells, tissues, and organs in the body. Each class of organic matter serves unique functions, such as energy storage (carbohydrates and lipids), structural support (proteins), and genetic information storage (nucleic acids).
What soil horizon contains the greatest amount of material formed by biological activity?
The uppermost O horizon contains the greatest amount of material formed by biological activity, such as decaying organic matter like leaves and plant roots. This horizon is rich in organic material and microbial activity, contributing to soil fertility and nutrient cycling.
What happens to a soil during a flood?
During a flood, the soil can become saturated with water, leading to increased moisture levels that can suffocate plant roots by reducing oxygen availability. Floodwaters can also wash away topsoil, nutrients, and organic matter, affecting the soil's fertility and structure. Contaminants from the floodwaters can also be deposited in the soil, impacting its quality and potentially posing risks to human health and the environment.
What is Unsaturated soil that water can infiltrate through is known as the zone of?
Unsaturated soil that water can infiltrate through is known as the zone of aeration. This area contains both air and water, with smaller amounts of water present compared to the zone of saturation.
What is the direction in which soil and rock particles fall?
Soil and rock particles typically fall vertically downward due to the force of gravity. The direction of their fall is determined by the pull of gravity towards the center of the Earth.
How would soil that developed in a warm place be different than one developed in a hot dry place?
Soil usually develops more quickly in warm, wet areas than in cold,dry areas.
What is important of tilling in soil?
In recent agronomy, tilling is not one of the best farming practices anymore.
Tilling involve digging about a spade deep, and putting the soil back in the ground, but inverting the top and bottom layers.
Both layers contain different sets of organisms, for instance aerobic bacteria that require oxygen in the top soil, and anaerobic bacteria in the bottom layer. You basically kill most of both kinds every time you till.
Tilling is a great mechanical way to get rid of weeds, as they will decompose when put upside down under the ground with no sunlight available, but it is currently viewed as bringing about a few flaws, among which:
- Soil compaction: Tilling means heavy equipment will compact the soil in a job that is now viewed as unnecessary. Plant roots can't penetrate the bottom soil easily and it stresses the plants and reduce productivity.
- Tillage pan: Because tilling always happen at the same depth, a watertight crust forms at the level separating the tilled soil from the still soil. This layer makes it harder for the plants to break through or for the nutrients to penetrate deep.
- Erosion: A tilled soil is totally exposed to the action of rain without protection. Such naked soil is more likely to run off and erode.
More and more American farmers have adopted the "no-till" cultural practice, which consists in leaving the soil as it is after harvest, or maybe planting green manure, and planting the new crop directly in the soil that still has the stubbles of the old crop in it.
However, no-till relies heavily on genetically modified plants that produce their own pesticide in order to reduce the number of tractor passages.
The Fukuoka method of farming is an Organic Gardening method that does not use tillage, but it does not suit intensive organic farming.
Adding organic matter such as compost, manure, or mulch can help enrich the soil by providing essential nutrients for plant growth, improving soil structure, and increasing microbial activity. Additionally, planting cover crops can help increase organic matter in the soil and prevent erosion.
Some examples of silt include fine grains of sand, mud, and clay that are deposited by water or wind and typically found near river banks, deltas, and estuaries. Silt particles are larger than clay but smaller than sand.
What steps taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas?
Some steps taken to control soil erosion in hilly areas include planting cover crops, terrace farming, contour plowing, building retention walls, and creating buffer strips along slopes. These methods help to reduce the speed of water runoff, stabilize the soil, and promote vegetation growth to prevent erosion. It is important to implement a combination of these techniques to effectively control soil erosion in hilly regions.
