Category: Study of Soils

• Poor Water-Holding Capacity: Sandy soils have low water-holding capacity due to their coarse texture and large particle size. Water tends to drain quickly through the large spaces between the sand particles, resulting in poor water retention.

• Coarse Texture: Sandy soils have a coarse texture because they predominantly consist of sand particles. These particles are relatively large, which gives the soil a gritty feel when touched.
• Well-Aerated: Due to their coarse texture, sandy soils are well aerated. The larger spaces between sand particles allow for efficient air movement and oxygen circulation within the soil, promoting good root respiration.
• High Rate of Leaching: Sandy soils have a high rate of leaching, which refers to the rapid movement of water and dissolved nutrients through the soil profile. The coarse texture of sandy soils facilitates fast drainage, causing nutrients to leach out quickly, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies.

• Low Capillarity: Sandy soils have low capillarity, meaning they have a limited ability to draw water upwards through capillary action. The large spaces between sand particles do not facilitate the upward movement of water against gravity as effectively as finer-textured soils.
• Less Stable Structure and Erosion Susceptibility: Sandy soils have a less stable soil structure compared to other soil types. Their loose arrangement of large particles makes them prone to erosion by wind or water, leading to soil loss and reduced fertility if not properly managed.
• Acidic pH: Sandy soils typically have acidic pH levels. The low water-holding capacity of these soils contributes to leaching of basic cations (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium), leading to an accumulation of acidic substances.
• Quick Temperature Response: Sandy soils warm up quickly during the day due to their low water-holding capacity and good drainage. They also cool down rapidly at night as heat is released from the soil surface. This characteristic can influence plant growth and affect the choice of crops in specific climates.

• Composition: Sandy soils primarily consist of 80-95% sand particles, with smaller proportions of silt (5-2%) and clay (0.1-1%). The organic matter content is generally low, ranging from 0.1% to 1%.
• Light and Easy to Work: Sandy soils are lightweight and easy to work with due to their loose structure. They can be easily tilled, cultivated, or amended, which can be advantageous for gardening and agricultural practices.

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Soil PH is the measure of the Acidity/Alkalinity of the soil.

It is also the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil.

IMPORTANCE OF SOIL PH

• PH determines what type of crop to grow in a particular soil e.g. – Arabica coffee and Tea do well in Acidic soils, legumes do well in Alkaline.
• PH influences the availability of plant Nutrients e.g. – At high PH Potassium becomes unavailable.
• At low PH phosphorus becomes unavailable
• Some plant diseases are more pronounced in soils with low PH e.g. fungal diseases.
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria prefer a PH of 5.5 – 8 , Low/high PH will affect the activities of these bacteria

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Soil fertility; Is the ability of soil to produce enough Nutrients required to support plant growth.

Soil productivity is the ability of the soil to produce good yields in terms of crops.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TOWARD THE FERTILITY OF THE SOIL

Water holding capacity:

A fertile soil should retain just the right amount of water to support crop growth

Good drainage:

Fertile soils should be able to allow excess HO2 to sink easily. This creates enough space for air
and influences having enough temperature for crop growth.

Soil depth:

Deep soils give plant roots a large area in which to spread and obtain plant nutrients.

 Good organic matter content

The ant of organic matter releases many soil nutrients

Good soil PH:

PH also influences availability of plant nutrients

PH should be favourable for some crops e.g Acidic allows growth of some crops while Alkaline also.

 Good soil structure:

Soil structure influences root penetration into the soil and prevents erosion to occur

Good aeration:

Soil should have enough air to support respiration of roots and micro organisms

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Soil structure is the overall arrangement of soil particles within a given soil

ways of destroying soil structure

• Through cultivation which leads to rapid break down of organic matter.
• Overgrazing which encourages erosion
• Mining which causes deposition of sub soils
• Leaching of nutrients especially from top to subsoil
• soil erosion
• cropping and harvesting practices
• water logging
• Manuring to increase aggregate stability

• by recycling crop residue back to field without wasting and burning
• by application of compost
• through mulching organic wastes

• by using green manures and cover crops
• by use of crop rotation
• by reducing soil tillage
• by avoiding or preventing soil erosion
• by applying organic manures

Loamy soils are considered to be one of the most ideal soil types for plant growth due to their balanced composition and favorable characteristics. Here are the key characteristics of loamy soils:

• Balanced Particle Composition: Loamy soils have a well-balanced proportion of sand, silt, and clay particles. This balanced composition provides desirable physical properties and promotes good soil structure.
• Rich in Organic Matter: Loamy soils typically contain a significant amount of organic matter, which contributes to their fertility and nutrient-holding capacity. Organic matter improves soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.
• Good Chemical and Physical Properties: Loamy soils exhibit favorable chemical and physical properties for plant growth. They provide a suitable environment for root development, nutrient absorption, and soil microbial activity.

• Fairly Fine Textured: While loamy soils contain a balanced composition of different particle sizes, they are generally classified as moderately fine-textured. This means that loamy soils have a mix of particle sizes that provides good water retention while allowing for adequate drainage.
• Slightly Acidic pH: Loamy soils tend to be slightly acidic, although the exact pH can vary depending on local conditions. This slightly acidic nature can influence nutrient availability and may require appropriate soil amendments to adjust the pH for specific plant requirements.
• Easy to Cultivate: Due to their balanced composition and favorable structure, loamy soils are relatively easy to cultivate. They have a good crumbly texture that allows for easy tillage, planting, and root penetration.
• Moderate Capillarity: Loamy soils exhibit a moderate level of capillarity. They have a reasonable ability to draw water upwards through capillary action, providing moisture to plant roots while avoiding excessive waterlogging.

Loamy soils are highly sought after in agriculture and gardening due to their versatile characteristics. They offer good water retention, drainage, and nutrient-holding capacity, making them suitable for a wide range of crops and plants. Proper management practices, such as regular addition of organic matter and appropriate irrigation and fertilization techniques, can further enhance the productivity and sustainability of loamy soils.

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