Agronomy 105 Soil & Water: Basic Soil Properties 4 Soil Descriptors •Texture: Relative proportion of sand, silt, and clay in the soil •Structure: Forms the soil takes as particles clump together •Peds: Structural units of soil •Bulk Density: A soil’s weight per volume •Horizon: Layer of soil with somewhat uniform color, texture, and structure Plants obtain inorganic elements from the soil, which serves as a natural medium for land plants. Fig. In order to sustain plant life, the proper mix of air, water, minerals, and organic material is required. SOIL Soil Taxonomy definition: Collection of natural bodies of the earth’s surface, in places modified or even made by man or earthy materials, containing living matter and supporting or capable of supporting plants out of doors. In general, soil contains 40-45% inorganic matter, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air. Closely observe a soil sample and record what is found. Find answers to questions on the web. Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. 3. The sand and silt fractions i influence mainly the physical properties of the soil. Soil profile gallery Soil Profile Gallery. 4. Basic Components The four main components of soil are rocks (minerals), water, air and organic material (leaves and decomposed animals, for example). Air and/or water occupy approximately half the volume of soil… Discussing how soil is formed and why it is important to look after it. Transcript Soil Formation and Composition PPT Soil Formation and Composition Soil Formation 1. The clay fraction, because of its high surface area, is the most active part of the soil controlling many of the chemical and physical properties of the soil. Its upper limit is air or shallow water and its lower limit is the depth to which soil weathering has been effective. Soil is the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow. Air and water occupy the pore spaces in soils. Soil quality can affect plant establishment and vigor, community composition, and colonization of invasive species. Look at and draw a soil profile. Discuss erosion. Each soil series consists of soils having major horizons that are similar in color, texture, structure, reaction, consistency, mineral and chemical composition, and arrangement in the soil profile. Soil is the outer, loose layer that covers the surface of Earth. Pore spaces are the voids between the soil particles. A soil profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. Soil Composition. The composition of the components inside soil varies to create different soil types. Composition of Soil Soils have four major components: (a) mineral matter, (b) organic matter, (c) air, and (d) water. Soil Quality is defined as the soil’s capacity to function. 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