8/14/2014 KALYAN SIR: SOILS

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SOILS

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SOILS:

ü This is a natural body mineral and organic constituent.

ü These layers are also called soil horizons.

ü These layers are with variable thickness.

ü The upper layers of soil are called Horizon.

ü The bottom layers of soil are called bed rock.

ü The main reason for soil formation is weathering.

ü After the parent rock is broken the surface water enters into the inter spaces.

ü Here the chemical change takes place and chemical substances are produced.

ü With the death and decay of plants and bacteria the humus is produced.

Soil contains

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v Mineral particles

v Humus

v Water

v Air

v Living Organisms (Bacteria)

ü The layers differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical,

and mineralogical characteristics.

ü It is composed of particles of broken rock that have been altered by chemical and

environmental processes that include weathering and erosion.

ü Soil is continuously interacts with the water, air etc.

ü Because of this reason the soil differs from its parent rock.

ü It is a mixture of mineral and organic constituents that are in solid, gaseous and aqueous

states.

ü Soil particles are packed loosely.

ü Soil, a renewable resource.

ü The soil structure is filled with pore spaces.

These pores contain soil solution (Water,petroleum etc) and air.

ü Soil is also known as earth.

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ü Soil is referred to as regolith.

ü Regolith means loose rock material.

ü Soil contains mineral particles, humus, water, air, living organisms.

ü Humus is an organic matter that has decomposed to a point where it is resistant to

further breakdown or alteration

ü Soil profile means the various horizons in the soil.

ü Rains affect the minerals in the soil.

ü The minerals are carried away by the rain.

ü Soil mainly contains 4 basic

compounds:

Mineral Particles - 45%

Water - 25%

Air - 25%

Organic Matter - 5%

SOIL PROFILE:

· The succession of horizons as viewed in the exposed Anatomy of the soil body

is called soil profile.

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SOIL HORIZON:

· These are the specific layer in the land area that is parallel to the soil surface

and possesses physical characteristics which differs from the layers above and

below.

· These Horizons are divided into O-P-A-E-B-C-D-R.

· These are listed from top to bottom with in the soil profile.

SOIL PROFILE

SOIL HORIZON

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· All layers are not present in every location.

· O-Horizon:

· ‘O’ stand for Organic.

· ‘O’ is a surface layer.

· This layer is dominated by the presence of large amount of organic material.

· P-Horizon:

· ‘P’ stands for peats.

· These are formed under water logged conditions.

· P horizon is also highly organic.

· A-Horizon:

· This is the top layer of the soil.

· A-Horizon contains humus.

· This is dark in color.

· The deeper layer of A-Horizon contains more organic material.

· Most of the biological activities occur in A-Horizon.

· Many types of warms and bacteria are concentrated here.

· A-Horizon is also called bio mantle.

· E-Horizon:

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· These are present only in the old soils.

· These are present between A and B layers.

· This layer is largely composed of silicates.

· The O-P-A-E layers are collectively referred to as “solum”.

· B-Horizons:

· This is referred to as subsoil.

· It consists of Iron and Aluminum.

· This layer is also called Zone of accumulation.

· This layer contains a very little Humus.

· Plant roots penetrate through this layer.

· C-Horizon:

· This layer contains largely un weathered rock.

· The parent material of the rock is present in this layer.

· D-Horizon:

· This is not universally distinguished.

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· Any soil material below the Solum and other than C-Horizon is referred to as D-

Horizon.

· R-Horizon:

· This is the bed rock.

· This is partially weathered bedrock at the bottom of the soil profile.

· This contains continuous presence of rock.

TYPES OF SOILS:

ü There are different types of soils on the earth.

ü Depending on the content and the color, the soils are classified into various types.

ü All soils are not suitable for all types of vegetation.

ü This is the reason why all crops are not cultivated in one country or a region.

ALLUVIAL SOIL:

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ü This is the most important soil.

ü This derived from the word “Alluvium”.

ü Alluvium means loose.

ü Alluvial soil is made up of

v Silt

v Clay

v Sand

v Gravel

ü Suitable for all types of crops.

ü The Alluvium contains precious ores such as Platinum and Gold.

BLACK SOIL:

ALLUVIAL SOIL

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ü This is also called Black cotton soil

ü This is suitable for cotton crop.

ü This has the capacity to contain high moisture.

ü This contains iron and aluminum. Hence the black color.

ü This is very sticky when it is wet.

ü During summer the black soil develops cracks.

RED SOIL:

ü This is porus and contains soluble salts.

BLACK SOIL

RED SOIL

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ü Red soil is deficient in Nitrogen, Humus and Phosphorus.

ü This is suitable for the cultivation of rice, ragi, tobacco and vegetables.

ü Groundnut and potatoes are grown also grown in red soils.

LATERITE SOILS:

ü It contains iron oxides, and impart red colour to the soil.

ü This is poor in Humus and Nitrogen.

ü This is suitable for ragi, rice with application of manure.

ü These soils are soft but harden when exposed to the atmosphere.

FOREST SOIL:

ü This is deficient in potash, phosphorus.

ü Tea, coffee, spices.

LATERITE SOIL

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ARID AND DESERT SOILS:

ü These are Rich in Phosphates.

ü These soils are Poor in Nitrogen.

ü If irrigation is provided they are quite fertile.

SALINE AND ALKALINE:

ü These are also called Reh or kallar or usar.

ü These types of soils are usually infertile.

ü Salts are present in the upper layers.

ü If drainage is provided they would be quite fertile.

PEATY:

ü These are highly saline.

ü Peaty soils are rich in organic matter.

ü These are deficient in phosphorus and potash.

ü These are not conducive for cultivation.

SOIL EROSION:

ü The removal of the top layers of the soil is called soil erosion.

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Causes for soil

erosion:

· removal of the

forests

· Wind

· Rain

· Floods

EROSION OF SOIL THROUGH WATER:

ü SHEET EROSION: When there is uniform rainfall

over the slopes the soil cover is removed.

ü RILL EROSION: It occurs after the sheet erosion

and the water enters the rock.

ü Gully Erosion: It happens with heavy rainfall.

Gullies are formed.

SOIL CONSERVATION:

Soil Conservation is a set of management strategies for prevention of soil beingeroded from the earth surface.

ü Contour ploughing: This is a farming practice of ploughing across a slope

following its elevation contour lines.

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ü Contour Bunding: This is similar to contour ploughing. Stones are placed around

the contours of slopes.

ü Terrace farming: This is also called step farming. This is used to cultivate the

sloped land.Cutting like steps along the hill slopes. It reduces the speed of water.

CONTOUR PLOUGHING

CONTOUR BUNDING

TERRACE FARMING

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ü Strip cultivation: Cultivation of alternate strips of crops right angle to the

prevailing direction of wind.

ü Crop rotation: It helps in maintaining the fertility of the soil.

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