Soils Information

By: Matt Jakubik

http://tiee.ecoed.net/vol/v3/experiments/soil/img/soil.jpg

Soil

A. outer layer of earth’s crust, renewable natural resource that supports life

--takes 1000 years for 1 inch of soil to form

Function of Soils

Supply Nutrients Supply Water Supply Air Provides Anchoring

Soil Components

A. Soil is made up of: 1.   Minerals—45% 2.   Water—25% (good soil) 3.   Air—25% 4.   organic matter—5%

Organic Matter

A. decayed plants and animals 1.   leaves, roots, stems 2.   dark in color 3.   more productive because of

increased fertility/nutrients sources: manure, mulch, peat moss

Water

A. necessary for good soil--permeable: allows water to flow through--leaching: salts, minerals and nutrients washed out of soil

Air

1.   roots need air to breathe 2.   soil must have air in pores for

plants to grow

Pores

A. spaces between soil particles. B. Filled with air and/or water

Mineral Material began as rock, undergoes weathering to

break down 1.   Classified according to particle size

a.    sand: largest in size, large pores, water flows through easily, not as fertile, nutrients leach out

b.   silt: mid-sized, good water holding capacity, holds nutrients

C. clay: smallest in size, holds water and nutrients, has poor water drainage and lacks air

Soil Texture a.    proportions of the 3 particle sizes in a

soil --Landscapers need to know soil texture: 1.   time to plant 2.   drainage 3.   nutrient holding capacity 4.   plant soil requirements 5.   easier to work with

Texture

Definition: Percentage of sand, silt and clay particles Size of particles.(largest to smallest)

Sand Silt Clay

Texture

Why is texture Important? Water absorption rates Soil water storage capacity Ease of tillage Amount of aeration Soil Fertility

Texture

Determining Soil Texture By Feel Sand

Coarse gritty feel Silt

Medium-silty, floury feel Clay

Fine-sticky when wet