What is soil?

- Soil is defined as the loose weathered material on the Earth’s surface in which the
plant can grow and which we can walk.
- Soil is the solid material on Earth’s surface that results from the interaction of
weathering, erosion, and biological activity.

What is soil made of?

- 45% of mineral matter, is the part that comes from the broken rock.
- 25% of air, the spaces or the pores not filled by water are filled with air. Air such as
oxygen and also water are needed so that plants can undergo photosynthesis.
- 25% of water, an essential constituent of healthy, productive soil. This binds and
secures the structure of the soil. This also allows organisms to live in the soil and to
break down the organic matter so it can release nutrients for plants.
- 5% of organic water, or hummus, from decayed remains of one’s living organisms.

How is soil formed?

- Soil is formed as rocks are broken down by weathering. The weathered rock mixed
with other materials.

Importance and roles of soil:

- The ground on which we walk
- “Factory of life” because it is the home to plants and animals
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Four main contributors to soil:

- Parent material, where the rock originated
- Time, the longer a rock is exposed to the forces of weathering, the more it is broken
down.
- Climate. Hot, wet, and humid climates have the most chemical weathering. As a
result, the soils are generally unproductive. They are poor in nutrients. Meanwhile,
there is very little weathering in colder climates, therefore their soils are more
productive.
- Organisms also contribute to soil formation. For example, bacteria and fungi help
break down the dead plants and animals and put nutrients into the soil. Molds,
earthworms, ants, help break down the formation of soil as they dig into the ground.

Soil Texture Diagram

Soil Profile
One way to analyze soil layers is to look at a vertical section called a soil profile. It is divided
into a number of distinct layers called horizons. These horizons are normally designed by
O, A, E, B, and C.

O horizons - also known as organic matter horizon because it consists of largely organic
materials. The upper part of this horizon is composed of plant litters (dead leaves) and
decaying materials or hummus. This has a surface layer of 0 to 2 feet.
A horizon - also known as biomantle horizon. Largely composed of mineral matter and it
has a surface layer of 2 to 10 feet. Also contains some hummus and is darker in color than
the layers below.

E horizon - also known as the leaching layer (loss of water-retaining plants due to
precipitation and irrigation). This is the layer between the A and B horizons. The surface
layer is 10 to 15 feet. It is light in color because it is composed of sand and silk. It has a poor
clay content.

B horizon - also known as subsoil horizon. It extends from the depth of 10 to 30 feet. This
horizon contains fine clay sediments. Some organic material may reach this layer because of
leaching.

- The O and A horizons make up the topsoil.

- O, A, E, B are called true soil because the living plant roots are largely confined in
these layers.

C horizon - also known as the regolith horizon. It extends from 30 to 48 feet. Made up of
large rocks that are partially broken bedrocks. This area is devoid of organic matter due to it
being far from the other horizon. Wala nang organic matter.

R horizon - unweathered parent material or bedrock horizon. The surface layer is 48 and
below feet. This is the deepest. There are no rocks and boulders, only a continuous mass of
bedrock.

Soil taxonomy