Tag: soil and soil pollution

Fertility of the soil is not only decided by its ability to hold water or organic materials or its ability to retain nutrients but it is decided by all the factors combined and how well can it support life. If a soil has a huge thriving of plants, microorganism, etc with the availability of adequate resources then it is considered as very fertile soil.

Soil pH is important because it influences several soil factors affecting plant growth, such as (1) soil bacteria, (2) nutrient leaching, (3) nutrient availability, (4) toxic elements, and (5) soil structure. Bacterial activity that releases nitrogen from organic matter and certain fertilizers is particularly affected by soil pH, because bacteria operate best in the pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. Plant nutrients leach out of soils with a pH below 5.0 much more rapidly than from soils with values between 5.0 and 7.0. Plant nutrients are generally most available to plants in the pH range 5.5 to 6.5. Aluminum may become toxic to plant growth in certain soils with a pH below 5.0. The structure of the soil, especially of clay, is affected by pH. In the optimum pH range (5.5 to 7.0) clay soils are granular and are easily worked, whereas if the soil pH is either extremely acid or extremely alkaline, clays tend to become sticky and hard to cultivate

Fire reduces soil fertility by volatilizing essential plant nutrients (like nitrogen) and disrupting the biogeochemical cycles that maintain soil health.

It is not true that soil $pH$ is in the range $6$ to $8$, the soil fertility is diminished

During soil testing, the soil is examined for colour, texture and the proportion of organic matter in it.

Development of such pesticides should be encouraged, which may save crops from pests and rodents but should not contaminate soil with toxic chemicals.
It is a measure to control soil pollution.

Most industries are dependent on extracting minerals from the Earth.the industrial waste lingers in the soil surface for a long time and makes it unsuitable for use.
Pesticides and herbicides are used in agricultural practices and these chemicals penetrate into soil and damages them.
Cutting of trees leads to soil erosion.

Radioactive substances resulting from explosions of nuclear testing laboratories and industries giving rise to nuclear dust radioactive wastes, penetrate the soil and accumulate giving rise to land/soil pollution.
Pesticides and herbicides are added in soil in agriculture practices to remove unwanted plants. these chemicals penetrate into soil and damages the soil.

Applying bio-fertilizers and manures can reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide use. Biological methods of pest control can also reduce the use of pesticides and thereby minimize soil pollution.

Pesticides are substances meant for attracting, seducing, and then destroying any pest. 
Herbicides are substances that is toxic to plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
Insecticides are substances used for killing insects.
All the are used in agriculture and harmful to soil.