About Soil

🌍 What is Soil?

Soil is the top layer of the Earth’s surface, made of minerals, organic matter, water, and air. It supports plant growth and is the base of agriculture, forests, and life on land.

🧩 Composition of Soil

Soil is made up of four main parts:

1. Minerals (45%) – tiny particles from rocks (sand, silt, clay).

2. Organic Matter (5%) – decomposed plants, animals (humus).

3. Water (25%) – moisture that plants use.

4. Air (25%) – oxygen & carbon dioxide for roots and organisms.

🌱 Soil Types (based on texture)

1. Sandy Soil – Large particles, drains quickly, poor in nutrients.

2. Clay Soil – Very fine particles, sticky, holds water, rich in nutrients but poor drainage.

3. Silty Soil – Smooth, soft, retains water better than sand.

4. Loamy Soil – Best for farming; balanced sand, silt, clay, and humus.

5. Peaty Soil – Dark, rich in organic matter, acidic.

6. Chalky Soil – Alkaline, stony, drains well but poor for some crops.

🌏 Soil Layers (Soil Profile)

1. O Horizon – Top organic layer (leaves, humus).

2. A Horizon (Topsoil) – Dark, fertile, rich in humus; most roots grow here.

3. B Horizon (Subsoil) – Minerals leached down from above.

4. C Horizon – Weathered rock pieces.

5. R Horizon – Solid bedrock.

🌿 Importance of Soil

Provides nutrients & support for plants.

Stores water for plants and animals.

Habitat for organisms (worms, microbes, insects).

Filters and cleans water.

Basis of agriculture and food production.

⚠️ Soil Problems

Soil erosion – due to wind, rain, deforestation.

Soil pollution – from chemicals, plastics, waste.

Soil infertility – overuse, loss of nutrients.

Desertification – turning fertile land into desert.

✅ Ways to Protect Soil

Afforestation (planting trees).

Crop rotation & organic farming.

Avoiding excessive chemical fertilizers & pesticides.

Contour ploughing and terracing on slopes.

Composting & mulching.