2. Soil is the loose, weathered material on Earth's surface in which plants can grow. Soil Composition. 4. A soil profile is the sequence of natural layers, or horizons, in a soil. The composition of the components inside soil varies to create different soil types. Closely observe a soil sample and record what is found. Air and/or water occupy approximately half the volume of soil… 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 Air and water occupy the pore spaces in soils. Discuss erosion. Pore spaces are the voids between the soil particles. Composition of Soil Soils have four major components: (a) mineral matter, (b) organic matter, (c) air, and (d) water. Fig. 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. Soil quality can affect plant establishment and vigor, community composition, and colonization of invasive species. Soil profile. In order to sustain plant life, the proper mix of air, water, minerals, and organic material is required. 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. In general, soil contains 40-45% inorganic matter, 5% organic matter, 25% water, and 25% air. 3. Soil is the outer, loose layer that covers the surface of Earth. Critical soil functions include the ability to support plant growth and productivity, nutrient cycling, and water partitioning. Soil forms as rock is broken down by weathering and mixes with other materials on the surface. Soil profile gallery Soil Profile Gallery. Soil that is classified as clay, for example, contains more water than light, sandy soils. Suitable for Y3 pupils. Transcript Soil Formation and Composition PPT Soil Formation and Composition Soil Formation 1. 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. The chemical composition of the soil, the topography, and the presence of living organisms determines the quality of soil. Find answers to questions on the web. Soil composition is a mix of soil ingredients that varies from place to place. The sand and silt fractions i influence mainly the physical properties of the soil. Basic Components The four main components of soil are rocks (minerals), water, air and organic material (leaves and decomposed animals, for example). Soil is constantly being formed wherever bedrock is exposed. Soil Quality is defined as the soil’s capacity to function. Its upper limit is air or shallow water and its lower limit is the depth to which soil weathering has been effective. Look at and draw a soil profile. Plants obtain inorganic elements from the soil, which serves as a natural medium for land plants. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture—has compiled soil maps and data for 95 percent of the United States. It is the seat of soil fertility. 1.2. Discussing how soil is formed and why it is important to look after it. The proper mix of air, water, minerals, and water occupy the pore in., 25 % air % organic matter, 5 % organic matter, %! 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