What is Soil? Major Types of Soil

 

What is Soil?

Soil is natural source that serves as a medium for plant growth. Without soil, probably plants would not have even existed and hence the very existence of life of all forms would have been challenged and perished.

Soil can be defined as, ‘The non-consolidated upper part of earth crust that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants is called soil.’ (Soil Science Society of America 1987).   

The identification of soil types is highly important before a specific plant is grown. Because some plants require one type of soil while others require other type. The soil types include Sandy, Clay, Silty, Loam, Peat, and Chalk. The soil type depends on the proportion of size of particles within a soil.   

Major Types of Soil

Sandy soil

·         Sandy Soil is light due to high proportion of sand and low amount of clay.

·         It warms up quickly in spring.

·         Mostly remains dry in summer.

·         It often tends to be acidic.

·         Sandy soil has a quick water drainage.

Particle Size of Sand: 0.05-2.0 mm

Disadvantages:

Due to low withholding capacity, sandy soils are low in nutrients because water wash them away easily especially rainfall.  

Sandy Soil








Management of Sandy Soil:

To enhance the hold of sandy soil onto the nutrients and water, organic matter should be added. Also, it will help in boosting the nutrients essential for plant growth. Furthermore, apply less water and fertilizers in order to lessen the losses.

Clayey Soil

·         Clay soil is a heavy soil type.

·         It has excellent water holding capacity due to which it is high in nutrients.

·         Clay soil is made of over 25% clay.

·         Due to the presence of pores in clay particles, a considerable amount of water is present.

·         It remains cool for long time even in summer and drainage is quite slow.

Particle Size of Clay: <0.002 mm

Disadvantages:

·         Clay soil compacts rather easily and swiftly. As a result, roots can’t make their way in those hard pans of clay.

·         Drainage is too slow that results in wet and soft condition. 

·                             It often tends to be Alkaline.

Clay Soil



Management of Clayey Soil

·         Avoid working on clay soil when it is wet. It will avert compaction.

·         Use a cover crop during cool season.

·         Add amendments like compost to improve organic matter.

Silty Soil

1.      Silt Soil is composed of medium sized particles and can retain moisture for long time.

2.      It is well drained and high in fertility.

Particle Size of Silt: 0.002- 0.05 mm

Disadvantages:

1.      It can easily be compacted.

2.      It is prone to be eroded with rain.

3.      Water filtration is relatively poor.

4.      It tends to form crust.

Silt

Management of Silty Soil:

1.      Addition of organic matter can help in forming stable clumps.

2.      Also products like compost can help in improving its structure.

3.      Avoid work on silty soil when wet.

Loam Soil

·         Loam soil is the most fertile soil type.

·         Loam is mixture of sand, silt and clay

·         Silt and clay enhances the water-holding capacity while sand contributes in reducing the compaction and better drainage.

·         Since loam has a good water-holding capacity, it is resistant to drought.

·         It can hold nutrients making it fertile.

·         Excellent infiltration of air and water.

·         Depending on the proportion of sand and clay, it can be sandy loam or clay loam.

Loam



Management of Loamy Soil:

Though loamy soil is considered ideal and favorable for farming or gardening, still it requires management to keep it healthy for long time. In this regard products that are rich in microbes are highly helpful in promoting a healthy soil ecosystem.

Other Types of Soil:

Peat Soil

Peat has a considerable amount of Organic matter.

It has retain moisture in a large amount.

It is rare therefore if needed it is imported into gardens to ensure optimum growth of plants.

Peat



Chalk Soil

Chalk soil is highly alkaline due to the presence of CaCO3 in its structure.

Due to alkaline nature, Chalk soil does not support ericaceous plants (plants that require acidic to neutral soils-Ph< or =7).

Chalk Soil

Conclusion:

To conclude major types of soil are Sandy, Clayey, Loamy and Silty. Other types include Peat and Chalk. Among them the most ideal and favorable is Loam. All types of soil have their advantages and disadvantages. However, proper management can make their production quite efficient  


 

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