35. soil understanding by allah dad khan

DID U KNOW To UNDERSTAND SOIL

ByAllah Dad Khan

(seventh Presentation)

oA

E

B

C

R

TOP SOIL

SUBSOIL

Sagebrush-Cold Desert

What are the main components of soil?

1. Mineral Matter2. Air3. Water4. Organic Matter

Soil Components (volume basis)

Note: clays are microscopic in size !

Soil separate particle diameter (mm)____________________________

Sand . . . . . . . . . 2.0 - 0.05

Silt . . . . . . . . . . 0.05 - 0.002

Clay . . . . . . . . . . <0.002

SAND

SILT CLAY

Clay mineralsphotographedwith an electronMicroscope.

Note: they are plateor flake like andare stacked on topof each other.

They are electricallycharged and act likemagnets that attractand hold plantnutrients.

What are the FACTORSthat make SOIL?

TIME1000’S TO 10,000’S OF YEARS

LAY OF THE LANDTOPOGRAPHY

LIVING ORGANISMSANIMALS AND PLANTS

CLIMATEHOT/COLD, WIND/RAIN

PARENT MATERIALROCKS AND MINERALS

Physical land features

What are some practicesOf

SOIL CONSERVATION?1.Terracing2.Strip Cropping3.Contour Plowing4.Tilling5.Wind Breaks6.Ground Covers