4. Transcript Soil Formation and Composition PPT Soil Formation and Composition Soil Formation 1. Critical soil functions include the ability to support plant growth and productivity, nutrient cycling, and water partitioning. Soil is the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow. A soil profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—has compiled soil maps and data for 95 percent of the United States. Air and/or water occupy approximately half the volume of soil… Closely observe a soil sample and record what is found. Soil that is classified as clay, for example, contains more water than light, sandy soils. Suitable for Y3 pupils. 1.2. Agronomy 105 Soil & Water: Basic Soil Properties 4 Soil Descriptors •Texture: Relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil •Structure: Forms the soil takes as particles clump together •Peds: Structural units of soil •Bulk Density: A soil’s weight per volume •Horizon: Layer of soil with somewhat uniform color, texture, and structure Discussing how soil is formed and why it is important to look after it. Air and water occupy the pore spaces in soils. Each soil series consists of soils having major horizons that are similar in color, texture, structure, reaction, consistency, mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in the soil profile. In order to sustain plant life, the proper mix of air, water, minerals, and organic material is required. The sand and silt fractions i influence mainly the physical properties of the soil. Plants obtain inorganic elements from the soil, which serves as a natural medium for land plants. Basic Components The four main components of soil are rocks (minerals), water, air and organic material (leaves and decomposed animals, for example). The clay fraction, because of its high surface area, is the most active part of the soil controlling many of the chemical and physical properties of the soil. The chemical composition of the soil, the topography, and the presence of living organisms determines the quality of soil. Soil composition is a mix of soil ingredients that varies from place to place. It is the seat of soil fertility. Pore spaces are the voids between the soil particles. Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. Soil quality can affect plant establishment and vigor, community composition, and colonization of invasive species. Soil is constantly being formed wherever bedrock is exposed. Composition of Soil Soils have four major components: (a) mineral matter, (b) organic matter, (c) air, and (d) water. Look at and draw a soil profile. Soil profile gallery Soil Profile Gallery. 3. Fig. Soil profile. Soil Composition. 2. Soil Quality is defined as the soil’s capacity to function. In general, soil contains 40-45% inorganic matter, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air. Discuss erosion. Its upper limit is air or shallow water and its lower limit is the depth to which soil weathering has been effective. Soil is the outer, loose layer that covers the surface of Earth. SOIL Soil Taxonomy definition: Collection of natural bodies of the earth’s surface, in places modified or even made by man or earthy materials, containing living matter and supporting or capable of supporting plants out of doors. Find answers to questions on the web. 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