Soils and Soil Testing its not just dirt

Soils and Soil Testing …it’s not just dirt

Soil and Plants • Soil supports plant life • Plants are producers (autotrophs, which make their own food) • Animals get their energy from plants or from animals that eat plant • So, food ultimately depends on soil

• S o i l s u p p o r t s p l

What is soil? • Soil is a mixture of living and nonliving materials • Formation of soil depends on the “parent material” – rocks that have broken down, climate, and land topography – the shape of the land • Organic matter in soil is living things that have broken down Ex. leaves, microscopic organisms

What is soil? • Soil is a mixture of different materials that have different sizes: • Sand – large, gritty • Silt – small particles with a dry, silky feel • Clay – smallest, sticky material that dries into a hardened material

Soil Nutrients and conditions needed for plant growth • • Nitrogen functions Keeps leaves green Used rapidly by plants Nitrogen fertization is used extensively in agriculture • Nitrogen is found in the air and soil • Phosphorus functions • Storage and production of energy for plant growth • Enhanced flower beauty

Soil Nutrients and conditions needed for plant growth • Potassium (Potash) • Acidity – p. H • Strengthens plant cells, • Plants “prefer” certain and so makes the acidic or basic plants stronger conditions that promote growth • Aids plant survival • p. H can be adjusted to • Available in only improve soil small amounts in soil conditions