1. What is loam? Why is it considered to be the best topsoil for growing plants?
2. Why is soil regarded as our most important natural resource?
3. Why is the earthworm referred to as 'farmer's friend?
Answers
Answer:
Loam is a mixture of sand, silt, clay and humus. It is considered to be the best topsoil for growing plants because it has the right water-holding capacity for plant growth. It also has adequate spaces between the soil particles to trap air required by the roots of plants.
Answer:
1. Loam is a mixture of sand, silt, clay and humus. It is considered to be the best topsoil for growing plants because it has the right water-holding capacity for plant growth. It also has adequate spaces between the soil particles to trap air required by the roots of plants.
2. Soil is considered as our most important natural resource due to the following reasons:-
(a) It provides us food, clothing and shelter: By supporting growth of plants, the soil provides us with food and clothing. Plants also provide us with wood, which is used for constructing house.
(b) It provides us minerals: Minerals are dug out from the earth to extract metals such as iron, gold, silver, etc.
(c) It provides us water: Water that seeps into the soil is stored underground as subsoil water. This water is used for drinking and other purposes.
3. Earthworms improve the soil texture. They make the soil loose by burrowing into the soil, thus allowing air to enter into it and water to drain from it. They also form channels in the soil for roots to spread through. Hence, earthworms are referred to as 'farmer's friend'.