Tag: properties of soil

Growing same crop in the same land reduces soil fertility as the same crop planted repeatedly in the same area keeps draining the land of same nutrients needed for the plant's growth.

Humus refers to the fraction of soil organic matter that is amorphous and without the cellular cake structure characteristic of plants, micro-organisms or animals. Humus has a characteristic black or dark brown color and is organic due to an accumulation of organic carbon found in Horizon - A. The three major horizons are: (A) surface horizon, (B) subsoil and (C) substratum. Some soils have an organic horizon (O) on the surface. Hard bedrock, which is not soil, uses the letter R.

Afforestation is the process of planting trees, or sowing seeds, in a barren land devoid of any trees to create a forest. The benefits of this practice, which is called agroforestry, are:

1. It provides a supply of timber, fruit, and fodder for cattle apart from crop production
2. It prevents soil erosion and thus conserves soil.
3. It enables better retention of water
4. It shields crops from excessive wind and sun damage

In terms of the environmental benefits, planting trees is always beneficial whether it takes place in a barren land or is used as a method to regenerate a depleted forest. Trees help check atmospheric carbon dioxide; large scale afforestation can curb the problems caused due to burning of fossil fuels, industrialization and so forth.

Microorganism presence in the soil is the sink for CO.

When the rain droplets gets mixed with nitrogen and sulfur oxide it causes acid rain. this acid rain when fall on earth react with soil because of chemicals present in acid rain, the fertility of particular area gets affected.

Pesticides are compounds that destroy insects (pests). By the 15th century, toxic chemicals such as arsenic, mercury, and lead were being applied to crops to kill pests.

The industrial effluents passing through the field add toxic substances to the soil and decrease the soil fertility and its water-absorbing capacity.

Negative soil pollution occurs due to the overuse of soil & its erosion hence there will be a decrease in soil productivity. 

Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover.
Reforestation is the reestablishment of forest cover, either naturally (by natural seeding, coppice, or root suckers) or artificially (by direct seeding or planting).

Deforestation is a major cause which leads to the change in soil properties. It affects the nutrient content (which cannot be replenished in the soil), texture and fertility of soil (due to erosion).