SOILS
SOIL
Soil is a mixture of organic matter and an accumulation of tiny particles
of rock which are formed from weathering.
Soil is an important part of the terrestrial environment, and it is the
essential medium in which plants grow and organisms live.
PHYSICAL WEATHERING
Mechanical weathering is the break-up
of rocks, without any change in its
chemical composition. Many agents
physically weather rocks:
❏ Water
❏ Ice
❏ Wind
❏ Temperature
ABRASION
❏ Water can continuously and repeatedly move against the surface of
rocks, gradually breaking away smaller pieces.
❏ Wind or water can carry small stones and dirt which can hit against
the surface of larger rocks. This causes small pieces of rock to break
away which add to the soil.
FREEZE THAW
Water collects in the crevices of
rocks. Ice has a larger volume
than water.
As water freezes, it expands and
increases the pressure in the
crevice.
Overtime, this results in
small pieces of rock
breaking away.
EXFOLIATION
Rocks expand when heated and contract when cooled. Sudden, rapid
temperature changes results in large rocks cracking and crumbling into
smaller pieces.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
Chemical weathering is the break down of rock by changing their
chemical composition. This can occur due water, oxygen or acid.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
❏ Oxidation – Oxygen can react with some components (iron) in the rock,
making it weaker. This allows the rock to easily crumble into small
particles.
❏ Solution – Minerals in the rock is dissolved in water and removed. The
insoluble material remains, which break apart easier.
❏ Carbonic acid – When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, carbonic acid is
formed which reacts with some minerals in the rock. This makes the rock
smaller and brittle.
BIOLOGICAL WEATHERING
❏ Plant roots can extend into small cracks in
rocks, causing it to get wider and break the
rock.
❏ Worms can eat soil and small rocks, grinding
it up in their guts, making large particles
smaller.
SOIL
COMPOSITION
Soil consists of:
❏ Tiny particles of rock
❏ Larger pieces of rock
❏ Micro-organisms, such as
bacteria and fungi
❏ Larger animals, such as
earthworms and beetles
❏ Air
❏ Water
❏ Mineral salts
❏ Humus (all the organic material
in the soil)
SOIL COMPOSITION
❏ The components in soil can be
identified in a sedimentation test.
❏ A sample of soil is placed in a jar
with water.
❏ The jar is then shaken and the
sediments are allowed to settle.
❏ Heavier and larger particles will
settle at the bottom, while the
smaller and lighter particles will be
found at the top.
SOIL AS A
GROWTH MEDIUM
Soil is an ideal growing medium for most
plants, as:
❏ The soil allows the plant to be
anchored, as its roots can grow wide
and deep. This allows the plant to
grow upright and avoid being blown
over.
❏ The soil provides water and nutrients,
which the plant can absorb through
its roots.
PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF SOIL
❏ Most soils contain a mixture of
clay, silt and sand.
❏ The proportion of these
particles determine the nature
of the soil.
❏ Agricultural soils are loams.
PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF SOIL
❏ The ideal soil needs to drain
readily but still retain water.
❏ There also need to be sufficient
oxygen for the organisms.
❏ Soils with a mixture of large and
small particles will drain easily
but retain some water and have
enough air spaces.
ORGANIC COMPONENTS OF SOIL
Soil fertility is also affected by
its organic matter composition,
which includes:
❏ Dead remains of whole
organisms
❏ Parts of organisms (leaves)
❏ Animal faeces
❏ Excretory products.
Organic matter that has not decomposed is called litter. Humus
contributes to the aeration and drainage of the soil by binding soil
particles.
ORGANIC COMPONENTS OF SOIL
❏ Detritivores, such as earthworms and beetle, ingest the litter and break it
down to release organic nutrients.
❏ Decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi, further break down these
nutrients (and waste) by releasing enzymes which make mineral ions, such
as ammonium, phosphate, sulphates and nitrates, available in the soil.
❏ The presence of minerals increases the soil fertility allowing plants and
microorganisms to grow.
CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF SOIL
❏ Most plants grow in neutral soil, but a few plants can tolerate acidic or
alkaline soil.
❏ Soil pH affects the uptake of nutrients, as well as enzyme structure, for
plants.
❏ The soil also contain trace elements, such as copper, sodium, zinc,
manganese and chlorine, which is necessary for plant growth
SOIL COLOR
❏ The colour of the soil is generally a good indication of its composition.
❏ Black (or dark) soils are rich in organic material (humus) so this is an
indication of being very fertile.
❏ Red soils are rich in iron compounds, while light-coloured soils may be
rich in sand or some kinds of clay
SOIL EROSION
❏ When rain falls in areas with vegetation, the water slowly seeps into the
soil and is not moved by the water; the plant roots hold the soil together.
❏ When there is deforestation, soil erosion occurs when wind and rainfall
remove large quantities of topsoil.
❏ Soil degradation is the leaching of nutrients by rainfall, which makes the
soil infertile and unable to sustain crop growth.
SOIL EROSION
❏ Sheet erosion – The removal of a
thin layer of topsoil from flowing
water.
❏ Rill erosion – Rills are created
when fast flowing water cuts into
the surface of the soil.
❏ Gully erosion – Gullies are formed
when the flow of water cuts very
deep channels through the earth.
CONSERVATION OF SOIL
Soil erosion and soil degradation can also be prevented by:
❏ Replant trees immediately after harvesting to prevent run-off when it
rains.
❏ Use crop rotation to maintain a balance of soil nutrients; different crops
remove different minerals from the soil.
❏ Terracing and contour ploughing
around hillsides.
❏ Prevent overgrazing by animals that
remove plants and their roots.
FARMING METHODS
FARMING METHODS
Different farming methods can be used based on the type of crops and
resources available. There are many advantages and disadvantages to
different farming methods. Arable farming methods aim to:
❏ Increase crop yield
❏ Reduce soil erosion
❏ Maximise nutrients and conditions needed for plant growth.
STRIP PLANTING
❏ Two or more rows of different crops are planted alternatively. Strip
planting allows multiple crops to be grown on the same plot of land.
❏ Different crops are harvested at different times, which reduces the
chances of soil erosion as a large expanse of land is never bare.
CONTOUR PLOUGHING
❏ A contour is a line, indicating the elevation of the land.
❏ Land is ploughed perpendicular to slope and crops are planted along
the contour of the landscape. This minimises water runoff and
increase water retention.
TERRACING
❏ Banks are built into the hillside, which creates flat areas for crops such
as potato, and wheat.
❏ If there is runoff from the rain, the nutrient simply flow down to the
lower level and is used by the crop.
❏ This reduces the flow of water and the risk of erosion.
GREENHOUSE FARMING
❏ Farmer can grow their crops in greenhouses, and provide ideal
conditions required for excellent plant growth.
❏ The temperature, light, water, carbon dioxide concentration, and
number of pest can be controlled in a greenhouse.
❏ Crops in greenhouses can be grown out of season and all year round.
HYDROPONICS
❏ Crops are grown in a solution that is filled with nutrients.
❏ Hydroponics is expensive so it is only used to grow high value crops.
❏ Farmers are allowed to control the ideal conditions for plant growth.
❏ Hydroponics reduce the risk of soil organisms causing diseases.
❏ Water and nutrients are recycled, reducing the chances of polluting
waterways.
TISSUE CULTURE
❏ Crops are grown from small tissue samples in a medium containing
nutrients and plant growth hormones.
❏ The hormones stimulate roots and shoots to develope.
❏ Many plants can be produced quickly using tissue culture.
❏ Since the tissue culture come from one plant, the crops cultivated will
only have desirable traits.
ROOFTOP, INDOOR AND CONTAINER FARMING
❏ These methods are used when there is limited space for crops.
❏ Rooftop farming keeps the house cool by increasing roof insulation.
❏ Indoor farming uses artificial light, so crops can be grown all year
round and is unaffected by extreme weather conditions.
❏ Crop in its container can be moved or transported to wherever the
farmer desires with greater ease.
THE END : )