Day 8 of Horticulture:
In today's lesson we conducted research on soil. Using the computer room I found the following facts about soil; what nutrients it is composed of, examples of different types of soil and the conditions needed for soil in order to begin planting. I found out the following:
The Composition of Soil:
Mineral matter which is obtained by the disintegration and decomposition of rocks.
Organic matter which is obtained from the remains of dead plants and animals. (also known as humus)
Water from the atmosphere and the reactions in soil. (both chemical and physical)
Air or gases from the atmosphere and reactions of roots and chemicals in the soil.
Organisms such as worms and insects.
Types of Soil:
Soil can be divided into the following groups:
Sandy Soils: These soils have a high sand content and they are full of large air gaps. It is a free draining soil which is very easy to work with and it warms up very quickly in the spring. However, it is lower in nutrients as it is subject to very heavy leaching and the soil dries out quickly.
Clay Soils: This is a naturally fertile soil that holds water very well, leaching of this soil is slower and it is darker in colour. However it is hard to work in wet conditions, has poor drainage and is a very cold soil.
Silt Soils: These soils are very fertile soils that retain water well and drain considerably slower than sandy soils.
Peat Soils: This soil is high in organic matter and therefore a very fertile soil that is dark in colour. However, it is an acidic soil that has very poor draining ability.
The Composition of Soil:
Soil is composed of five major components
Mineral matter which is obtained by the disintegration and decomposition of rocks.
Organic matter which is obtained from the remains of dead plants and animals. (also known as humus)
Water from the atmosphere and the reactions in soil. (both chemical and physical)
Air or gases from the atmosphere and reactions of roots and chemicals in the soil.
Organisms such as worms and insects.
Pie Chart of Soil Composition:
Soil can be divided into the following groups:
Sandy Soils: These soils have a high sand content and they are full of large air gaps. It is a free draining soil which is very easy to work with and it warms up very quickly in the spring. However, it is lower in nutrients as it is subject to very heavy leaching and the soil dries out quickly.
Clay Soils: This is a naturally fertile soil that holds water very well, leaching of this soil is slower and it is darker in colour. However it is hard to work in wet conditions, has poor drainage and is a very cold soil.
Silt Soils: These soils are very fertile soils that retain water well and drain considerably slower than sandy soils.
Peat Soils: This soil is high in organic matter and therefore a very fertile soil that is dark in colour. However, it is an acidic soil that has very poor draining ability.
Diagram of Different Soil Types:
Conditions needed for plant growth:
In order for a plant to grow properly, it needs the following conditions:
1. Correct temperature.
2. Sufficient amount of light.
3. Correct amount of water.
4. Sufficient supply of oxygen.
5. Correct supply of mineral nutrients.
6. Appropriate support to hold the plants upright.
Diagram of the different layers of soil:
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