1. What is soil?

2. Agri-science Mr. Bailey
Components of the Soil
Agri-science
Mr. Bailey

3. Soil is….
an important part of the earth’s surface and provides nutrients for plants to grow and produce

4. Fertile vs. Sterile
Fertile - it has all the right materials (Mineral particles, organic matter, air, and water)
Sterile - soil has been treated to kill all living organisms in it, good and bad

5. What is soil and where does it come from?
Soil is a material that forms the crust or covering of the earth
It comes from the breakdown of rocks and rotting dead organisms
Soil is formed very slowly over time

6. What are the four major components of soil?
Soil contains minerals, organic matter, air and water, and living organisms
The appropriate amount for each is 45% mineral, 5% organic matter and 50% air and water

7. Minerals Formed from the breakdown of rock
Minerals help provide nutrients and provide a place for roots to grow

8. Organic Matter Death and decay of any living organism and animal waste
Also called humus
Helps provide C, H, O and holds H20 and nutrients

9. Air and Water Air and water is held in tiny spores within the soil
The more water, the less air and the less water, the more air

10. Living Organisms Bacteria Fungi Single cell protozoa Nematodes
Earthworms
Prairie dogs
Groundhogs

11. Exit Slip
What is soil?
What are the four components of soil?