explain the factors that governs the formation and fertility of soil
Answers
Answer:
Scientists attribute soil formation to the following factors: Parent material, climate, biota (organisms), topography and time.
Answer:
The factors that governs the formation and fertility of soil
(i) Parent rock
A soil's natural fertility depends largely on the parent materials from which the soil has developed and the original vegetation.
(ii) Vegetation
Vegetation plays an important part in the formation of soils from solid rock. The acids released by the roots of some plants act to breakdown the rock on which the soil is forming. The vegetation on a soil is particularly important in supplying the soil with precious organic matter.
(iii) Humus Contant and nutrients
Humus Contant and nutrients of soil hold and retain differing amounts of nutrients.
iv) soil texture
Soil texture refers to the relative proportions of the various size groups of individual particles or grains in a soil. It is dependent on the mixture of the different particle sizes present in the soil. Based on these different sizes, soil particles are classidied as sand ,silt and clay
V) Climate
Climate, Temperature and moisture influence the speed of chemical reactions, which in turn help control how fast rocks weather and dead organisms decompose. Soils develop faster in warm, moist climates and slowest in cold or arid ones. Rainfall is one of the most important climate factors in soil formation.
Vl) microorganisms
Plants, animals and micro-organisms (fungi and bacteria) all affect soil formation by producing or contributing to humus production. The amount of humus in a soil is a result of how much plant material has been incorporated into it. If vegetation is sparse a soil will be low in humus and less fertile.