soil
DESCRIPTION
Soil. All you wanted to know but were too afraid to ask… …. This is a soil profile. It shows the different layers (called horizons) of soil as you go deeper. Different regions have different soil profiles. The type of soil in an area affects the types of plants that can grow there. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Soil
All you wanted to know but were too afraid to ask……
This is a soil profile
• It shows the different layers (called horizons) of soil as you go deeper.
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The type of soil in an area affects the types of plants that can grow there
Canada has many different soil regions
What type of soil is best for agriculture?
Sandy Soil
Not good for agriculture• Water and minerals drain
quickly• Therefore plants cannot get
enough water and minerals• Sandy soil is:
– Lighter in colour– Feels like sand– You cannot form it into a ball
Clayey Soil
Not good for agriculture• Better then sandy soil but,• Small/few air pockets so
roots get little oxygen• Compacts easily making it
hard for roots to grow• Clayey soil:
– Feels sticky– You can form it into a ball
What Makes Good Agricultural Soil?
Not too much clay, not too much sand, not too much silt = LOAM
What Makes Good Agricultural Soil?
Good Agricultural soil is…• LOAM = a bit of sand, clay and
silt– Holds enough water and minerals– Good amount of air pockets
(oxygen)• Dark in colour = Lots of
decomposing organic matter– This means lots of nutrients
• Full of decomposers like worms– They eat organic matter and their
poo has the nutrients plants need.
Worms!