air is the breath of life, water is the drink of life, soil is the food of life
DESCRIPTION
Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life. “To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil.” - Xenophon, Oeconomicus , 400 B.C. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life.
![Page 2: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
• “To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil.” - Xenophon, Oeconomicus, 400 B.C.
• “We know more about the movement of stars and planets than about the soil underfoot.”
- Leonardo Da Vinci, 1500’s
• “We are part of the earth and it is part of us ... What befalls the earth befalls all the sons of the earth”
- Chief Seattle, 1852
![Page 3: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
• "The love of dirt is among the earliest of passions, as it is the latest. Mud-pies gratify one of our first and best instincts. So long as we are dirty, we are pure. Fondness for the ground comes back to a man after he has run the round of pleasure and business, eaten dirt, and sown wild oats, drifted about the world, and taken the wind of all its moods. The love of digging in the ground (or of looking on while he pays another to dig) is as sure to come back to him, as he is sure, at last, to go under the ground, and stay there.“
- Charles Dudley Warner, My Summer in a Garden, 1870
![Page 4: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
• "Soil is a resource, a living, breathing entity that, if treated properly, will maintain itself. It's our lifeline for survival. When it has finally been depleted, the human population will disappear. .... Project your imagination into the soil below you next time you go into the garden. Think with compassion of the life that exists there. Think, the drama, the sexuality, the harvesting, the work that carries on ceaselessly. Think about the meaning of being a steward for the earth."- Marjorie Harris, In the Garden, 1995
![Page 5: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
"If we do not permit the Earth to producebeauty and joy, it will in the end not produce food either."
- Joseph Wood Krutch
"A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself." - President Franklin D. Roosevelt
![Page 6: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Soil is both abiotic and biotic
• Essentially a mixture of • 50% porous spaces• 45% pulverized rock• 5% organic matter
• It rests on a bed of rock, bedrock (the parent material of the abiotic portion)
![Page 7: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
• Soil formation is a long slow process. • It's estimated that 3 cm of soil takes
500 to 1000 years to form!
• Soil is constantly being formed. • It is also constantly being eroded.
Erosion – the movement of soil from one place to another.
![Page 8: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
![Page 9: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
![Page 10: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Functions of Soil
![Page 11: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
How is soil made?
![Page 12: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Mechanical WeatheringSoil begins when rocks are broken down into smaller particles by natural forces (e.g. wind, water, ice).
![Page 13: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Chemical WeatheringChemicals – that are part of the rock, in water (acid rain), or even oxygen in the air further the erosion process, and change the chemical composition of the soil.
4Fe+2 +3O2 --> 2Fe2O3
IRON + OXYG RUST
Limestone (rain)
Weathering by salt crystals
![Page 14: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Biological Weathering
• Plants, animals, microorganisms assist in either mechanical or chemical weathering
Lichen (releases acids)
Action of Mollusks
Tree Roots
![Page 15: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Soil Horizons• O Organic material: leaf litter
(undecomposed) (DETRITUS)
• A Topsoil (Surface soil) Minerals and humus (formed from decomposition of plants and leaves) - most organic matter and soil life in this layer
• B Subsoil – accumulation of clay and organic materials
• C Unweathered bedrock (parent rock) A Soil Pedon
![Page 16: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Soil Organic Matter• O Organic material: leaf
litter (not yet decomposed)
• A Topsoil - humus (formed from decomposition of plants and leaves) - most organic matter and soil life in this layer
- Organic matter enhances water and nutrient holding capacity and improves soil structure- Humus is usually dark and is the “glue” that helps hold soil particles together
![Page 17: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Earthworm excrement!Also called “castings”
![Page 19: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Colour of Soils
• Usually indicates its mineral composition and sometimes its fertility
• E.g. red soils = high iron content (P.E.I.)• E.g. dark brown/black soils – rich in organics• E.g. gray/white soils – low organic content
• Before soil testing was possible, the colour was often used by farmers/ranchers to indicate suitability for crops or grazing
![Page 20: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
![Page 21: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Soil Texture
• 3 Types of soil particle classified by size• Sand: 1 – 5 mm diameter• Silt: 0.1 mm – 1.0 mm• Clay: 0.001 mm – 0.1 mm
• Soils are named depending on the relative quantities of these particles (e.g. silty clay, sandy clay etc.)
• Mineral components of soil (e.g. Fe, Mg, Ca, K ….)• Biotic components of soil (fungi, invertebrates, roots ….)
![Page 22: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
![Page 23: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
![Page 24: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
The Soil Triangle - Textural Class
![Page 25: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
EXAMPLE:10% SAND40% CLAY50% SILT
The soil type therefore isSILTY CLAY
![Page 26: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
EXAMPLE:40% SAND20% CLAY40% SILT
The soil type therefore isMEDIUM LOAM
![Page 27: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Why does this matter?
• The texture of soil will determine the rate at which water can infiltrate the soil.
• For example, sand particles are large – therefore the spaces between them will be large. Water will flow through pure sand very quickly!
• Also the texture will determine how much water can be stored in the soil (for plants to draw from during dry spells).
![Page 28: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
LOAM• The best soil for agricultural purposes
• It is a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand, silt and clay (approx. 40:40:20 ratio), and usually decaying organic material called humus
![Page 29: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Soil and Agriculture
• For a farmer, the soil texture influences its workability (ease of cultivation)
• Texture influences two important qualities:• 1. Permeability – the rate at which water can
flow through the soil• 2. Porosity – the amount of volume of spaces
between soil particles (pores can be filled with water or air)
![Page 30: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
![Page 31: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Which has the greater pore space (porosity)? Which soil can hold more water/air?Which soil will allow water to flow more freely into it?
![Page 32: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Soil and water movement
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDf2sYxwAOg&feature=endscreen&NR=1
![Page 33: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
• Shape of particles will also determine rate of water flow.
![Page 34: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
Soil Fauna (Animal Life)
• An incredible diversity of organisms live in the soil (microscopic and visible)
• Organisms live in microscale environments within and between soil particles. Differences over short distances in pH, moisture, pore size, and the types of food available create a broad range of habitats.
• Earthworms, spiders, centipedes, beetles• Bacteria, protozoans
![Page 35: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
Soil Organisms - Benefits1. Decomposition of dead plants/animals2. Infiltration and storage of water
- larger organisms create channels and aggregates (clumps of material) - this increases the rate of water flow through the soil
3. Recycling of nutrients - example: conversion of organic nitrogen (in
proteins, amino acids) into nitrates which plants can then use again (bacterial decomposers)
![Page 37: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
Soils have a Food Web too!• All plants depend on the soil food web for
their nutrition (via decomposition)
![Page 38: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
![Page 39: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
• Soil Organisms tend to live in the top few centimeters of the soil horizon.
![Page 40: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Example: Mites
![Page 41: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Example: Nematodes
![Page 42: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
Soil Microbes (single cell creatures)
![Page 43: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
When are they most active?
Late Spring – Mid Fall
![Page 44: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Capturing Soil Organisms using a Berlese Funnel
![Page 45: Air is the breath of life, Water is the drink of life, Soil is the food of life](https://reader035.vdocuments.site/reader035/viewer/2022062521/568166f1550346895ddb50f5/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Soil Testing – next Monday• Bring 2 – 3 cups of soil (as dry as possible) that you
have taken from the ground (NOT POTTING SOIL OR “TRIPLE MIX” FROM A BAG!!!!) – in a sealed bag
• Porosity• Permeability• Water Holding Capacity• Bulk Density• pH• Presence of some ions (e.g. Nitrate)• Soil Biodiversity (Berlese Funnel)