Soil as an Important Resource


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Soil as an Important Resource

Soil: The thin layer of grainy substance covering the surface of the earth is called soil. It is closely linked to land. Landforms determine the type of soil. Soil is made up of organic matter, minerals and weathered rocks found on the earth. This happens through the process of weathering. The right mix of minerals and organic matter make the soil fertile. Factors of soil formation: the nature of the parent rock and climatic factors. Others factors are the topography, role of organic material and time taken for the composition of soil formation. All these differ from place to place.

·   Topsoil (A): The layer is dark in color, has a fine texture, has a high content of organic matter (for humus), and is vital for plant growth.

·   Subsoil (B): This is the layer just below the topsoil; it consists of sand, silt and clay, but has only minor amounts of organics matter.

·   Parent Material (C): This horizon usually consists of unconsolidated rock material from which the A and B layers have been formed. This zone has no dose it have any soil structures.

·   Bedrock (R or D): This layer lies at some depth below the C horizon and consists of solid rock.  

Factors of Soil formation:

·   Parent rock: determines colour, texture, chemical properties minerals, content, and permeability.

·   Relief: altitude and slope, determine accumulation of soil.

·   Flora, fauna and micro- organism: affect the rate of humus formation.

·   Climate: temperature, rainfall influence rate of weathering and humus.

Time: determines thickness of soil profile

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

What is referred as the breaking up and decaying of exposed rocks by the ?

Right Option : A
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Question : 2

According to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, how many types of soils are found in India -

Right Option : A
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Question : 3

What is the role of parent rocks in the soil formation ?

Right Option : D
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Explanation
 
 


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