Soil Characterisation

Table of Contents

1.0 Soil: An Introduction……………………………………………………….. 1

1.1 Soil Formation………………………………………………………..2

1.2 Soil Profile…………………………………………………………….5

1.3 Soil Composition……………………………………………………..7

1.4 Physical Properties of Soil…………………………………………….9

1.5 Chemical Properties of Soil……………………………………………11

1.6 Soil Macro and Micronutrients…………………………………………13

2.0 References……………………………………………………………………….20

2.1 Book and Journal……………………………………………………………20

2.2 Internet………………………………………………………………………21

Appendix A

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Soil Interface………………………………………………………….1

Figure 1.2 Water Table………………………………………………………………5

Figure 1.3 Soil Profile……………………………………………………………….6

Figure 1.4 Soil Composition…………………………………………………………7

Figure 1.5 Soil Structure……………………………………………………………..10

Figure 1.6 Flocculation and Aggregation Formation……………………………… 11

Figure 1.7 Nutrient Availability……………………………………………………12

Figure 1.8 Nitrogen Cycle…………………………………………………………..15

Figure 1.9 Phosphorous Cycle………………………………………………………16

Figure 1.10 Micronutrient Availability………………………………………………18

List of Tables

Table 1.1 Properties of Soil Solids……………………………………………….9

Table 1.2 Plant Available Form of Micronutrient………………………………..18

Table 1.3 Micronutrient Fertilizer Forms and Application………………………19

1.0 Soil: An Introduction.

The soil or the pedosphere is the uppermost layer of the Earths crust that is inhabited by living organisms [1]. Soil is the collection of natural bodies occupying portions of the Earth’s surface that support plants and that have properties due to the integrated effects of climate and living matter acting upon parent material, as conditioned by relief, over periods of time [2]. Soil however is not merely the sum of minerals, organic matter, water and air but is the interface zone where the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere and the geosphere all meet and it owes its existence to the interactions that occur between the spheres. It is these dynamic reactions which contribute to the multiple functions which soils perform, which include supporting plant life and life within the soil, biogeochemical cycling of elements, energy cycles, water storage and exchange and ecosystem productivity. Soil can be considered a non-renewable natural resource because it develops over a very long timescale [3].

Fig. 1.1 Soil Interface [14]

1.1 Soil Formation

There are a number of factors which influence soil formation and development. They are,

§ climate

§ parent material