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2 Soil

The document discusses the formation and properties of soil. Soil forms from the weathering of parent rock by physical, chemical, and biological processes. It is composed of minerals, organic matter, air, water, and organisms. Soil formation results in distinct horizons with varying characteristics from the surface down through the profile. Key properties discussed include texture, structure, color and organic matter content which provide clues about the soil type and quality.

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MasoodGhanem
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45 views

2 Soil

The document discusses the formation and properties of soil. Soil forms from the weathering of parent rock by physical, chemical, and biological processes. It is composed of minerals, organic matter, air, water, and organisms. Soil formation results in distinct horizons with varying characteristics from the surface down through the profile. Key properties discussed include texture, structure, color and organic matter content which provide clues about the soil type and quality.

Uploaded by

MasoodGhanem
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Upper disjointed part from the surface of the earth

that contains water and Valid for plants to grow .


Soil origin and Formation
Immature soil
Physical , Chemical and Biological Weathering
Parent Rock (Course Particles,
wind, water, gravity, rainfall, , topography Little humus)
,Hydrolysis,
carbonation oxidation , Reduction, Organisms
action.

Mature soil (finer particles,


more humus)
Parent material
The mineral material from which a soil forms is called Parent Rock,

whether its origin is igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic, is the

source of all soil mineral materials.

Typical soil mineral materials are:

Quartz: SiO2

Calcite: CaCO3

Feldspar: KAlSi3O8

Mica (biotite): K(Mg,Fe)3AlSi3O10(OH)2


Soil Horizons
This consists of a series of layers(horizon)each one is characterized
by differences in colour ,composition, and texture

O) Organic matter:
freshly fallen organic material - most superficial layer
Litter layer of plant residues in relatively
undecomposed form.
A) Surface soil(Top Soil): Layer of most organic matter
accumulation.
B) Subsoil: This layer accumulates mineral soil in which organic
compounds have been converted into inorganic like iron, aluminium
etc....
C) Parent rock: Layer of large unbroken rocks. This layer
may accumulate the more soluble compounds .
O Horizon

Leaching
A Horizon
Topsoil

B Horizon
Subosil

C Horizon
O horizon

A horizon

B horizon

C horizon
Some Physical Properties of Soil
1-Colour
The Colour of a soil can give clues to its health, origin,
and long-term changes also it can indicate the
composition of the soil. It can also indicate the colour
of the parent material.

Dark colours in the topsoil usually indicate the that


soil has a high organic matter content The more
humus the blacker the soil.
Yellow or red soil indicates the presence of iron
oxides.
Major Forms of Iron and Effect on
Soil Color

Form Chemical Formula Color


Ferrous oxide FeO Gray
Ferric oxide
(Hematite) Fe2O3 Red
Hydrated ferric oxide
(Limonite) 2Fe2O3 3H2O Yellow
2-Texture
The way a soil feels.
Texture refers to the relative proportions of soil
particles sand, silt, and clay in a soil.
Soil Particles
Sand
Largest of the soil particles
Feels gritty.
Spaces between particles allow drainage and air entry
Holds little water prone to drought
Contains fewer nutrients than smaller particles

How suitable are sandy soils for agriculture?


Soil Particles
Silt
Medium sized: Particle visible with microscope 0.02 mm to
0.002 mm
Feel soft, silky, or floury
Holds more nutrients than sand.
Retains water, slower drainage than sand.
Soil Particles
Clay
Smallest particles <0.002 mm
Feels sticky
Easily formed into long ribbons
High adsorption of water and chemicals
Water is not readily available for plants
Very small pore spaces
Very slow movement of water and air
12 Soil Texture Classes
Sand (S) Silty Clay Loam (SICL)
Loamy Sand (LS) Clay Loam (CL)
Sandy Loam (SL) Sandy Clay (SC)
Loam (L) Silty Clay (SIC)
Silt Loam (SIL) Clay (C)
Silt (SI)
Sandy Clay Loam (SCL)

Compositions of each of the 12 texture classes is defined


by the USDA Soil Triangle
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay .

Loam soils generally contain more nutrients, moisture

and humus than sandy soils, have better drainage and


infiltration of water and air than silty soils, and are
easier to till than clay soils.

The different types of loam soils each have slightly

different characteristics, with some draining liquids more


efficiently than others.
Soil Composition
Soil organic matters
Soil inorganic matters:
i-Soil particles.
ii-soil salts.
Soil Air
Soil organisms
Soil solution(Water)
Soil inorganic matters
i-Soil particles:
Soil ions:
silicon, aluminium, iron, magnesium, calcium,
sodium, and potassium
The organic matter
The organic soil matter includes all the dead material
in the soil.
Humus refers to organic matter that has been
decomposed by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa to the
final point where it is resistant to further
breakdown.

How to measure the amount of OM in the soil???


Soil Air
The air found in soil is very different from the air
found in the atmosphere.
The air in soils is not exposed to moving air currents
and is much more moist than atmospheric air. It also
tends to be very rich in CO2 and poor in O2.
The consumption of O2, by microbes and plant roots
increase CO2 concentration.
Atmospheric CO2 concentration is 0.03%, but in the
soil pore space it may range from 10 to 100 times that
level.
extreme levels CO2 is toxic.
Oxygen is removed by living organisms, and CO2 is left
behind. This carbon dioxide leaks out of the soil by
diffusion.
Soil Organisms (Biota)
Soil organisms are creatures that spend all or part of
their lives in the soil.

Can be categorized according to their size,


ecological functions or how they feed(hetero or
autotrophs).

Includes algae, fungi, bacteria, cyanobacteria,


Actinomycetes also some animals.

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