Material that supports plant life

O= Organic layer= humus A= Topsoil, mixture of organic & minerals E= Eluvial (leached) mineral horizon B= Subsoil: accumulation of organic &/or inorganic matter C = Parent material, un-weathered

Climate Topography(relief) Time Organisms Parent material

Gravitational water: water that moves through soil under the influence of gravity. Field capacity: water held in the soil by capillary forces, available to plant Hygroscopic water: water that is adsorbed by soil particles, unavailable to plant Adsorbed: held in place, attached to

Inorganic: Synthesized from minerals Quick release Short term plant growth Slow release Long term soil health Organic: from plant and animals Excess nutrients : Human harm: methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome) Environmental harm: eutrophication

Smaller particles have a Greater surface area: 54cm 2 162cm 2 Higher chemical reactivity: clay is (-) attracts (+) Nutrients: Mg +, Ca +, K +, Na + Non-nutrients : H+ Higher water holding capacity: water is polar 1 cm 3 cm

Is it 33% for all separates? What soil type is 18% clay, 40% sand, 42% silt? This point is where each separate has equal influence How much sand is required to get its name in a class? Last word is most important

Does more clay mean more available water? Plants can survive with 50% of FC. Gravitational water: water that moves through soil under the influence of gravity. Field capacity: water held in the soil by capillary forces Hygroscopic water: water that is adsorbed by soil particles

Intensive monoculture farming Row crops, altering the landscape, weed free Physical damage: Erosion Compaction: reduce aeration Chemical damage Salinization Conversion Desertification

Myakka Fine sand Casa Grande Sandy Loam Drummer Silty, clay loam Houston Black Black clay

Myakka Fine sand Casa Grande Sandy Loam Drummer Silty, clay loam Houston Black Black clay

What soil type would most likely need to have more fertilizer applied to it? Which farmer will need to irrigate their crops most often? Which farmer will most likely have to face salinization problems? Which farmer would most likely encounter gully or sheet erosion? Which farmer would most likely have waterlogged soil if there was a heavy rainfall? Which farmer has the best developed “O” horizon? Which farmer would most likely have the most acidic soil?