Ag (soil science test)

4 components of soil

Air, water, organic matter, minerals

Soil

The mineral and organic matter that supports plant growth on Earth’s surface.

Parent Material

Rock material that has undergone some weathering and change, but not enough to be called true soil as it is not capable of sustaining.

Clay

Smallest particle size mineral found in soil

Sand

Largest size particle found in soil

Silt

Medium size particle found in soil

Components that affect soil color

Mineral content, water, parent material

Why are some soils red in color?

Iron oxidation

Soil profile

Sequence of horizons from the surface down through the horizons to the parent material.

5 factors that impact soil formation

Climate, time, living organisms, parent material, topography

Horizons develop faster under what kind of conditions?

Humid and warm

Organic soils

Black in color

Infiltration

Process of water soaking into the soil

Minerals

component that makes up the highest percentage of soil

Uses of soil in Ag

Growing crops and food for livestock

Soil horizon

A (topsoil), B (subsoil), C (parent Rick), O (organic), R (bedrock)

Soil texture

Sand, silt, clay

Arable land

Land suitable for growing crops and farming

Topography

Lay of the land

Organic matter

Portion of soil that includes living organisms and remains of living organisms.

Climate

Weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.