ECO LAB SOIL ANALYSIS

Soil

• It is the thin layer of material covering the

  earth's surface

• formed by weathering of rocks

Weathering

It is the process of soil, mineral, and rock decomposition through direct contact with the atmosphere.

Soil moisture

is the water that is held in the spaces between soil particles.

Surface soil moisture

is the water that is in the upper 10 cm of soil.

Root zone soil moisture

is the water that is available to plants, which is generally considered to be in the upper 200 cm of soil

gravitational water

What do you call When water saturates the soil and drains,

hygroscopic water.

water that is present in the molecules of soil which can be removed only by oven drying

Clay

Soil particle that feels sticky when wet

Silt

Soil particle that feels silky smooth when wet

Sand

Soil particle that feels coarse and gritty

Soil particles

is the proportion of the three sizes of soil particles that are present and the fineness or coarseness of soil

Soil triangle

is a chart that shows the soil texture class based

on the percentage of sand, silt, and clay.

Soil profile

can be observed through the direct observation of the layers or horizons of the soil

O horizon

organic materials consisting of litter, humus, and other decomposing materials

A horizon

the humus layer

E horizon

serves as the main site for leaching organic materials

B horizon

the layer present just below the topsoil and above the bedrock

C horizon

composed of the disintegrated rocks and other particles from the parent materials

R horizon

lies just below the subsoil consisting of stones and broken rocks

Soil organic matter

is the product of on-site biological decomposition that affects the chemical and physical properties of the soil and its overall health.

Soil pH

is a measure of how acidic or basic soils are. pH levels range from 0 to 14.

between 5.0 and 7.0

The optimal pH range for most plants

NPK

provides the nutrition needed for optimal plant growth.

Nitrogen

Nutrients that green up plants

Phosphorus

Nutrients that reach down to the roots and helps produce blooms

Potassium

Nutrients that promote all around well-being