Importance of Soil
Soil is a natural resource. Soils are
one of the most valuable natural
resources of a nation. It is said that
the rise and fall of civilization
depends on the properties of its most
important natural resource, the soil.
Importance of Soil
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s quote that “A
nation that destroys its soils destroys itself”
Wall and Six (2015) - When important aspects of well-
being like food security, human health, clean air, and
clean water are at risk, that is when quantity and
quality of world’s soils are not taken care of.
5 Key roles of Soil:
1. Soil as a medium for plant growth.
Plants growing on land depend on the soil
for water and nutrient elements. Soil
enables growing plants to remain upright.
2. Soil holds and purifies water.
Soil affects water relations and water
composition. Soil retains moisture for plants
and moderates the terrestrial climate.
5 Key roles of Soil:
3. Soil as a medium for waste disposal and
nutrient cycling.
Soil is a very important component in the
natural cycle of carbon, nitrogen and
sulfur.
4. Soil as an engineering medium.
Soil is the foundation for the construction of
buildings, bridges, irrigation canals, roads,
septic tank and recreation facilities.
5 Key roles of Soil:
5. Soil as a habitat for soil organisms.
Soil is a habitat of numerous organisms that
are intimately associated with it. Although
a few organisms may be pathogenic to
plants, animals or even men, the great
majority performs functions, which are
important for the soil, the plant and the
environment.
What is Soil Science?
Soil science deals with the study of
soils as a natural resource on the
surface of the earth which includes
soil formation, classification and
mapping, physical, chemical,
biological and fertility properties of
soil per se and those properties in
relation to the management for crop
production.
Approaches in the study of soil science:
a. Pedological approach
“Theoretical Approach”
The soil is considered as a natural body with
major emphasis on properties related to its
genesis and classification as it occurs in its
environments. The information gathered by
the pedologist would be of interest to road
and building contractors or highway
engineers.
Approaches in the study of soil science:
b. Edaphological approach
“Practical Approach”
Considers the physical, chemical and
biological properties of the soil as they
relate to crop production. The information
gathered by the edaphologist would be of
interest to farmers, agriculturists and
foresters.
Fields of specialization in soil science:
a. Soil Fertility
Deals on the study of the inherent capacity to
supply nutrient elements and their availability,
evaluation of soil fertility status, use of fertilizer
and soil amendments.
b. Soil Microbiology
Deals on the study of major groups of soil
microorganisms, their ecology and biochemical
activities in relation to soil fertility.
Fields of specialization in soil science:
c. Soil Conservation and Management
Deals with the study of soil deterioration and
its control, maintenance and improvement of
soil fertility and productivity.
d. Soil Chemistry
Deals with the study of nature and composition
of soils, physico-chemical properties and
reactions, chemical processes and ionic
equilibria and study of submerged soils.
Fields of specialization in soil science:
e. Soil Physics
Deals with the study of the physical properties
of soils in relation to plant growth, their
measurement and analysis.
f. Soil Survey and Classification
Deals with the study of soil formation, horizon
differentiation, natural and comprehensive
system of classification, mapping and soil
survey reports.
Fields of specialization in soil science:
g. Soil Geology
Deals with the study of the common soil
forming rocks and minerals, geologic
processes, agencies and landforms in
relation to agriculture.
Mineral Matter
Mineral materials constitute 45%. It is
normally composed of small rock
fragments and minerals of various kinds.
Major classes of inorganic particle and their general properties:
Size of Common Means of Dominant
fraction name observation composition
Very Stone/ Naked eye Rock fragments
coarse gravel
Coarse sand Naked eye Primary minerals
Fine silt microscope Primary &
secondary minerals
Very fine clay microscope Secondary minerals
Mineral matter
Soil organic matter constitutes about 5% of
the total soil volume. It represents an
accumulation of partially decayed and
synthesized plant and animal residue as a
result of microbial activity.
The organic matter content of soil varies
from 2 to 6% in typical well-drained mineral
soils.
Organic matter
Included in soil organic matter are the
microorganisms and macroorganisms that are
referred to as the “living portion” of the soil.
Humus is the more resistant product of
decomposition derived from those synthesized
by microorganisms and those modified from
the original plant tissue.
Organic matter
Functions of soil organic matter:
a) It influences soil properties and plant growth.
b) It promotes granulation of mineral particles
largely responsible for loose and easily
manageable condition of productive soils.
c) It is the major source of N, P and S.
d) It increases water holding capacity.
e) It is the main source of energy for both plants
and animal organisms.
f) It increases nutrient holding capacity of the soil.
Soil water fills up the pore space and acts
as:
1. Universal solvent
2. Nutrient carrier
3. Nutrient itself
4. Stabilizes soil temperature
Soil Water
Soil air is located in the mares of soil pores
separated by soil solids not occupied by
water.
The soil air has higher moisture content than
the atmospheric air. The CO2 content is
higher and more concentrated than 0.03%
found in the atmosphere.
Soil Air
Differences in the content of soil
and atmospheric air:
Element Soil Air Atmosphere
O2 20.00% 21.00%
CO2 0.50% 0.03%
N2 78.60% 78.03%
Soil Air
2 Fractions of soil:
Solid fraction
(mineral and organic matter)
Pore space fraction
(soil water and air)
Mineral soil – is a soil that contains less than 20
percent (by weight) organic carbon.
Organic soil – is a soil that contains at least 20
percent (by weight) organic carbon.
Mineral and Organic Soil
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