Soil properties

Physical properties of soil and their importance :

1. Soil structure is defined by the way individual particles of sand, silt, and clay are assembled.
Single particles when assembled appear as larger particles. These are called aggregates .
Aggregation of soil particles can occur in different patterns, resulting in different soil structures.

Important of soil structure

The size and continuity of soil pores surrounding the aggregates is important for air, water and nutrient
transport. Soil structure influences water retention and movement, root penetration, carbon storage,
susceptibility to erosion, and fertility

2. Soil moisture is the water content of the soil. It can be expressed in terms of volume or weight

Importance of soil moisture

What is the importance of soil moisture (water) ?

Soil moisture is a key variable in controlling the exchange of water and heat energy between the land
surface and the atmosphere through evaporation and plant transpiration. As a result, soil moisture plays
an important role in the development of weather patterns and the production of precipitation.

3. Particle density—is the density of solid soil particles only, i.e., measurement does not include
pore space (air space), the average value is 2.65 g cm−3. Bulk density—is the density of a volume of soil
as it exists naturally, it includes air space, organic matter, and soil solid

Importance soil density

Particle density—is the density of solid soil particles only, i.e., measurement does not include pore space
(air space), the average value is 2.65 g cm−3. Bulk density—is the density of a volume of soil as it exists
naturally, it includes air space, organic matter, and soil solids.

4. Soil porosity" refers to the amount of pores, or open space, between soil particles. Pore spaces
may be formed due to the movement of roots, worms, and insects; expanding gases trapped within
these spaces by groundwater; and/or the dissolution of the soil parent material. Soil texture can also
affect soil porosity
Soil porosity is important for many reasons. A primary reason is that soil pores contain the
groundwater that many of us drink. Another important aspect of soil porosity concerns the oxygen
found within these pore spaces. All plants need oxygen for respiration, so a well-aerated soil is
important for growing crops.

Chemical properties of soil and their importance :

1. Soil pH
In higher rainfall areas the natural pH of soils typically ranges from 5 to 7, while in drier areas the range
is 6.5 to 9. Soils can be classified according to their pH value: 6.5 to 7.5—neutral.Sep 24, 2013

The optimum pH range for most plants is between 5.5 and 7.5; however, many plants have adapted to
thrive at pH values outside this range.

Important of soil pH

Soil pH affects the amount of nutrients and chemicals that are soluble in soil water, and therefore the
amount of nutrients available to plants. Some nutrients are more available under acid conditions while
others are more available under alkaline conditions.

2. Cation-exchange capacity is a measure of how many cations can be retained on soil

particle surfaces. Negative charges on the surfaces of soil particles bind positively-charged atoms or
molecules, but allow these to exchange with other positively charged particles in the surrounding soil
water.

Important of cation exchange capacity

Cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a measure of the soil's ability to hold positively charged ions. It is a
very important soil property influencing soil structure stability, nutrient availability, soil pH and the soil's
reaction to fertilisers and other ameliorants (Hazleton and Murphy 2007)

3. Nutrient content

A nutrient content claim is a nutrition claim that describes the level of a nutrient contained in a food,
such as, 'source of calcium' and 'low in fat.

Important of nutrien content

The six essential nutrients are vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water, and carbohydrates. People need
to consume these nutrients from dietary sources for proper body function.

4. soil colour
Soil can display a wide range of colors including brown, red, yellow, black, gray, white, and even blue or
green, and vary dramatically across ...

Important soil colour

The most influential colours in a well drained soil are white, red, brown and black. White indicates the
predominance of silica (quartz), or the presence of salts; red indicates the accumulation of iron oxide;
and brown and black indicate the level and type of organic matter.

Biological properties of soil and their importance

1. Soil organic matter is the organic matter component of soil, consisting of plant and animal
detritus at various stages of decomposition, cells and tissues of soil microbes, and substances that soil
microbes synthesize.

Important of soil organic matter

CHEMICAL: Soil organic matter significantly improves the soil's capacity to store and supply essential
nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium), and to retain toxic
elements. It allows the soil to cope with changes in soil acidity, and helps soil minerals to decompose
faster.

Difine soil organisms

2. Soil biology is the study of microbial and faunal activity and ecology in soil. Soil life, soil biota,
soil fauna, or edaphon is a collective term that encompasses all organisms that spend a significant
portion of their life cycle within a soil profile, or at the soil-litter interface.

Important soil organisms

Each specific underground inhabitant and its complex functions warrant a unique, in-depth look in
general, all healthy soils contain a profile of bacteria, fungi (mycorrhizae), protozoa (single-celled
organisms), nematodes (tiny non-segmented worms), arthropods (invertebrates with segmented
bodies), and earthworms.