Corn field
SOIL PROFILE
Branimir Popov + Suivre
Business integrator in the field of agriculture technology.
Publié le 20 févr. 2021
In the past few years in agriculture there has been a technological advance in many
areas, but agriculture still lacks bigger percent of implementation of new
technology. The reason lies in the fact that even with all this progress, there were
not significant improvements in a foundation component which is still essential for
the production of food. This article is about foundation of agriculture - the soil.
Soil importance
The nutrients in soil are necessary for the development of plants, but they are
influenced by various processes that occur during the production cycle. The farmer
who works in agriculture, must know and make a good soil analyses in order to
make a decision.
Due to this importance of soil for agricultural production, knowing its characteristics
is an essential factor. For the classification of a soil you must start with the
description of its profile. But what is the soil profile anyway?
Soil composition
The soils have in their composition a vertical succession of horizontal layers, as if
they were boxes stacked on top of each other. These layers originate from several
processes and factors that work together over the years. Erosion, leaching, water,
wind, microorganisms are some examples of factors that cause some processes that,
over time, change the constitution and formation of these layers. And the soil profile
is basically the set of these layers in succession.
Different layers
Therefore, the soil profile is a vertical section that begins on the surface of the
ground until it reaches the rock layer. And as stated, this profile can consist of
several horizons of the soil, that is, the different layers that constitute it and are
formed by the pedogenetic processes.
Soil profile analysis
When analyse the soil profile, we can identify some typical layers.
The first, called horizon O, is the most superficial layer of the soil and contains
organic residues such as leaves, flowers, fauna, roots.
Horizon A of the soil profile, according to the soil type, is located below horizon O
and has a depth of up to 10 cm, consisting of a material richer in organic matter and
biological activity.
Horizon B is the mineral horizon of the soil profile, where there is maximum
expression of the characteristic colour of the soil, as well as its structure. In horizon
B, which has a depth going from 10 cm to 30 cm according to the soil, is that soil
samples are collected for chemical analysis.
Horizon C, on the other, is made up of rocks. According to the type of soil it is
possible to identify other horizons that will characterize the soil profile, and some of
these layers may or may not be present in the evaluated soil.
The soil profile can consist of several soil horizons, that is, the different layers that
constitute it and are formed by pedogenetic processes.
Soil profile classification
And how is the analysis and classification of the soil profile performed? First, it is
necessary to identify the surface diagnostic horizon and the subsurface of the soil
profile. The characterization of these horizons, their presence or absence is what will
define the classification of the soil profile. To carry out the classification are usually
dug large holes (2 m deep by 1.5 m long and 1.5 m wide) or the ravines are
evaluated on the side of roads.
The layers Parta‐
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As already described in this text, the soil profile contains layers approximately
parallel to the surface of the ground, which are called horizons. These horizons may
vary in color, thickness, type of structure, texture, among other characteristics. For
classification, one must then observe the characteristics of the soil in the field
(morphology) and collect samples of horizons, which are taken to the laboratories in
order to perform dozens of determinations (calcium, magnesium, potassium,
phosphorus, aluminum, organic carbon, and many others). The morphological
observations obtained in the field (colour, texture, structure, etc. of horizons) and
laboratory results make it possible to classify the soil, that is, name it.
Identification process
