Information about Layers of Soil 20 To 40 Words.
Answers
Answer:
Topsoil is considered as horizon A.
Subsoil is considered as horizon B.
Parent Material is condsidered as horizon C.
The layers of soil can easily be observed by their color and size of particles. The main layers of the soil are topsoil, subsoil and the parent rock. Each layer has its own characteristics. These features of the layer of soil play a very important role in determining the use of the soil.
The soil is the topmost layer of the earth’s crust mainly composed of organic minerals and rock particles that support life. A soil profile is a vertical cross-section of the soil, made of layers running parallel to the surface. These layers are known as soil horizons.
The soil is arranged in layers or horizons during its formation. These layers or horizons are known as the soil profile. It is the vertical section of the soil that is exposed by a soil pit. The layers of soil can easily be identified by the soil colour and size of soil particles. The different layers of soil are:
Topsoil
Subsoil
Parent rock
Each layer of soil has distinct characteristics.
Soil profile helps in determining the role of the soil as well. It helps one to differentiate the given sample of soil from other soil samples based on factors like its colour, texture, structure, and thickness, as well as its chemical .
The soil profile is composed of a series of horizons or layers of soil stacked one on top of the other. These layers or horizons are represented by letters O, A, E, C, B and R.
The O-Horizon
The O horizon is the upper layer of the topsoil which is mainly composed of organic materials such as dried leaves, grasses, dead leaves, small rocks, twigs, surface organisms, fallen trees, and other decomposed organic matter. This horizon of soil is often black brown or dark brown in colour and this is mainly because of the presence of organic content.
The A-Horizon or Topsoil
This layer is rich in organic material and is known as the humus layer. This layer consists of both organic matter and other decomposed materials. The topsoil is soft and porous to hold enough air and water.
In this layer, the seed germination takes place and new roots are produced which grows into a new plant. This layer consists of microorganisms such as earthworms, fungi, bacteria, etc.
The E-Horizon
This layer is composed of nutrients leached from the O and A horizons. This layer is more common in forested areas and has lower clay content.
The B-Horizon or Subsoil
It is the subsurface horizon, present just below the topsoil and above the bedrock. It is comparatively harder and compact than topsoil. It contains less humus, soluble minerals, and organic matter. It is a site of deposition of certain minerals and metal salts such as iron oxide.
This layer holds enough water than the topsoil and is lighter brown due to the presence of clay soil. The soil of horizon-A and horizon-B is often mixed while ploughing the fields.
The C-Horizon or Saprolite
This layer is devoid of any organic matter and is made up of broken bedrock. This layer is also known as saprolite. The geological material present in this zone is cemented.
The R-Horizon
It is a compacted and cemented layer. Different types of rocks such as granite, basalt and limestone are found here.
Important Questions for Soil Profile
What is Soil?
Soil is one of the most important naturally occurring resources. It is the natural habitat of plants and many microorganisms. It nourishes plants with water and essential nutrients hence enabling their growth. Soil is the most important raw material for agriculture. Agriculture provides food, clothing and shelter to all entities either directly or indirectly. Hence soil is an inseparable part of our living.
What is Soil Profile?
The soil profile is a vertical section of the soil that depicts all of its horizons. The soil profile extends from the soil surface to the rock material.
How is Soil Formed?
Soil is mainly formed by the breakdown of bigger rocks into smaller and fine particles with the continuous action of wind, rain and other agents of natural force. It takes hundreds to thousands of years for the formation of soil.
What are the basic components of Soil?
Air, water, minerals and other organic matter are the basic components of soil.
What is the importance of Soil Profile?
The soil profile plays an important role in maintaining the fertility of the soil and the nutrition content in the soil.
The soil profiles are composed of a series of horizons or layers of soil, which are stacked one above the other. The 4 horizons of soil are:
The O-Horizon.
The A-Horizon.
The B-Horizon.
The C-Horizon.
What is Topsoil?
The topsoil is the topmost layer of the soil. It is dark brown coloured soil which mainly consists of organic matter, decomposed material and many living organisms including some microbes, earthworms and other worms.
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