SOIL RESOURCES

 Soil is the loose upper layer of the Earth's surface where plants grow. Soil
consists of a mix of organic material (decayed plants and animals) and broken
bits of rocks and minerals.
 is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms that
together support life. Earth's body of soil, called the pedosphere.
 Soil is the uppermost layer of the earth. It originates from parent rock and
contains both organic and inorganic substances. Fertility of a soil depends on
depth.
 The unconsolidated organic and mineral material on the earth's surface that is
capable of supporting plants.
 A dynamic natural body, in which plants grow, that is composed of mineral and
organic materials and living organisms.
Soil Profile
 The soil is found in layers, which are arranged during the formation of
soil. These layers called HORIZONS, the sequence of layers is the
soil profile. The layers of soil can easily be observed by their color
and size of particles. The main layers of the soil are topsoil, subsoil
and the parent rock. Each layer has its own characteristics.
 These features of the layer of soil play a very important role in
determining the use of the soil. Soil that has developed three layers,
is mature soil. It takes many years under a favorable condition for the
soil to develop its three layers. At some places, the soil contains only
two layers. Such soil is immature soil.
 Horizons of the Soil

Soil consists of the following horizons:

1. Horizon A or Topsoil
2. Horizon B or Subsoil
3. Bedrock or Horizon C
1. Horizon A or Topsoil

 It is also called the humus layer, which is rich in organic

material. This layer consists of decomposed material and
organic matter. This is the reason, the topsoil has a dark brown
color. The hummus makes the topsoil soft, porous to hold
enough air and water. In this layer, the seeds germinate
and roots of the plants grow. Many living organisms
like earthworms, millipedes, and centipedes, bacteria,
and fungi are found in this layer of soil.
2. Horizon B or Subsoil

 Justbelow the topsoil lies another layer called subsoil

or horizon-B. It is comparatively harder and compact
than topsoil. It is lighter in color than the topsoil because
there is less humus in this layer. This layer is less
organic but is rich in minerals brought down from the
topsoil. It contains metal salts, especially iron oxide in a
large proportion. Farmers often mix horizon-A and
horizon-B when ploughing their fields.
3. Bedrock or Horizon C

Bedrock is also known as parent rock and

lies just below the subsoil. It contains no
organic matter and made up of stones and
rocks, so it is very hard. This layer
represents a transition zone between the
earth’s bedrock and horizon A and B.
 What is humus layer in the soil?

 Itis also called topsoil or horizon A, which is rich in organic

material. This layer consists of decomposed material and
organic matter. This is the reason, the topsoil has dark
brown color. The humus makes the topsoil soft, porous to
hold enough air and water. In this layer, the seeds
germinate and roots of the plants grow. Many living
organisms like earthworms, millipedes, and centipedes,
bacteria, and fungi are found in this layer of soil.
Properties of Soil

The upper layer of earth in which plants

grow is called soil. It is black or dark
brown material typically consisting of a
mixture of organic remains, clay, and
rock particles.
 THE SOIL HAS THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL
PROPERTIES:
1. Texture
2. Absorption of water
3. Moisture
4. Colour
5. Soil pH
6. Percolation Rate
7. Soil contains air
1. Texture

 The texture of the soil depends upon the relative amount of

these particles. Clay has the smallest sized particles. Because
of very small size, the clay is felt smooth. Silt particles are
larger than the clay particles. There size range from0.002 to
0.02mm in diameter. So silt does not feel smooth. Sand
particles are largest sized particles of soil. Their diameter is
more than0.02mm.
2. Absorption of Water

 Water holding capacity in different types of soils is

different. Soil absorbs water because it is porous.
Sandy soil holds less water than clay soil and loamy
soil. Clay soil holds more water than sandy soil. Sand
absorbs less water than clay. Some plants require
more water to grow; they grow well in clay soil and loam
soil, since sand hold less water, so less vegetation is
found in sandy soil.
3. Moisture

 Texture decides the water holding capacity of the soil.

The soil has some amount of water inside it as a
moisture. Water is usually present as a thin film around
the soil particles. It is absorbed by the roots of the
plants. The capacity of a soil to hold water is important
for the growth of various crops. Even a dry soil has
some water in it.
4. Colour

 Soilsare of different colours. They are red white

and black. The red colour of the soil is due to
the presence of iron oxide. The black colour
soil is rich in minerals and humus. It is good
for the growth of wheat and jowar.
5. Soil pH

Soil can be acid, alkaline or neutral. Some

plants grow in acidic soil (pH below 7) such
as potatoes and kumara. Carrots and
lettuces prefer soil with neutral pH (7.0). Soil
become more acidic over time as minerals
are leached away.
6. Percolation Rate
 When we sprinkle water on the ground, it is soon absorbed by the soil.
This is because water percolates through the soil. The process in which
water passes down slowly through the sol is called percolation of
water. But water does not percolate at the same rate in all types of soils.
 Sandy soil allows maximum percolation of water and clay soil allows
minimum percolation of water. Rainwater percolates through the soil and
collects above the bedrock. This level of groundwater is called water
table. Sandy soil is quite loose, so the percolation rate of water is highest
in sandy soil but lowest in the clay soil because it is very compact.
 Paddy (rice crops)is planted in standing water in the fields. Hence, the soil
with a low percolation rate of water would be the most suitable for growing
paddy because it will allow the water to remain in the fields for a much
longer time.
7. Soil Contains Air

 Air is present in the space between the soil particles. This air
provides the oxygen required for respiration by roots of plants
and other organisms. Sand particles are quite large. Sand
particles cannot fit closely together, so there is large space
between sand particles.
 The large space between sand particles is filled with air. Due to
this, sandy soil provides much more air to the plant root. But
clay particles pack tightly together leaving little space for air.
So, clayey soil provides much less air to the plant root which
grows in it.
 What is Percolation Property
Of Soil?
 When we sprinkle water on the ground, it is soon
absorbed by the soil. This is because water percolates
through the soil. The process in which water passes
down slowly through the sol is called percolation of
water. But water does not percolate at the same rate
in all types of soils. Sandy soil allows maximum
percolation of water and clay soil allows minimum
percolation of water.
 TYPES OF SOIL

1.Sandy Soil
2.Silt Soil
3.Clay Soil
4.Loamy Soil
 Sandy Soil
 The first type of soil is sand. It consists
of small particles of weathered rock.
Sandy soils are one of the poorest
types of soil for growing plants because
it has very low nutrients and poor in
holding water, which makes it hard for
the plant’s roots to absorb water. This
type of soil is very good for the
drainage system. Sandy soil is usually
formed by the breakdown or
fragmentation of rocks like granite,
limestone, and quartz.
Silt Soil
 Silt, which is known to have much
smaller particles compared to the sandy
soil and is made up of rock and other
mineral particles which are smaller than
sand and larger than clay. It is the
smooth and quite fine quality of the soil
that holds water better than sand. Silt is
easily transported by moving currents
and it is mainly found near the river,
lake, and other water bodies. The slit
soil is more fertile compared to the other
three types of soil. Therefore it is also
used in agricultural practices to improve
soil fertility.
Clay Soil
 Clay is the smallest particles amongst
the other two types of soil. The
particles in this soil are tightly packed
together with each other with very little
or no airspace. This soil has very good
water storage qualities and making
hard for moisture and air to penetrate
into it. It is very sticky to the touch
when wet, but smooth when
dried. Clay is the densest and heaviest
type of soil which do not drain well or
provide space for plant roots to
flourish.
Loamy Soil
 Loam is the fourth type of soil. It is a
combination of sand, silt, and clay such
that the beneficial properties from each
is included. For instance, it has the
ability to retain moisture and nutrients,
hence, it is more suitable for farming.
This soil is also referred to as
an agricultural soil as it includes an
equilibrium of all three types of soil
materials being sandy, clay, and silt
and it also happens to have
hummus. Apart from these, it also has
higher calcium and pH levels because
of its inorganic origins.