Lecture 3

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Quantities of Six Essential Elements Found in Upper 15 cm of Representative Soils in Temperate Regions
Soils Definition• The term soil has different meanings to individuals depending on their scientific backgroundexperience. For example, to the agronomist or botanist soil is best defined as a medium for plantgrowth, to the engineer soil refers to the loose material that lies between the ground surface solidrock, and to the soil scientist soil is defined as the unconsolidated mineral and organic matter atthe Earth’s surface that has been altered bypedogenetic (soil-forming) processes.• Although there is no uniform, comprehensive definition for soil, it is apparent that the functionsof soil are numerous. Soils are dynamic ecosystems that support plant life by providing theessential requirements for plant growth, including nutrients, water (H20), oxygen (02), andsupport. Soil is also necessary to sustain human life because it provides natural resources (e.g.,food, fiber, construction materials), support for dwellings and roads, and a means of recycling ordetoxifying waste materials are produced daily.• Because soils are so important to human populations and environmental quality, it is imperativethat we appreciate soil characteristics, properties, functions, and how soils should be managed tomaintain sustainable environments.• Various physical, chemical, and biological processes have resulted in the development of soils overgeologic time. The following sections on the soil environment delineate the important features anddefine the terms commonly used to characterize soils. To categorize soils for land- purposes, it isnecessary to understand the general properties of soils, as well as how to qualify and quantifyselect physical, chemical, and biological factors important to soil health land management.• In addition to gaining a better understanding of soil properties and characteristics, we should alsoknow the specific components of a successful testing program air, soil, plants, water, and byproductsthat apply to land-use programs involving plant growth, crop yields, by-productutilization, soil amendments, and contaminant concentrations of interest any media. A soundtesting program is critical for both the agronomic and environmental perspective.
Page 3 and 4: The many functions of soil can be g
Page 6 and 7: The soil is home to a wide variety
Page 8 and 9: The pedosphere, where the worlds of
Page 10 and 11: This road cut in central Africa rev
Page 12 and 13: Information important to different
Page 14 and 15: The light- and dark-colored soil bo
Page 16 and 17: Abundant organic matter, including
Page 18 and 19: Diagrammatic representation of acid
Page 20 and 21: Nutrient elements exist in soils in
Page 22 and 23: Elements Essential for Plant Growth
Page 26 and 27: Definition• Soil is a natural thr
Page 28 and 29: Outline: Soil PhysicalProperties•
Page 31: Particle size and Soil texturalclas
Page 34 and 35: Particle and bulk density• Partic
Page 36 and 37: Soil Organic and InorganicCARBON•
Page 38 and 39: Outline: Physical Processes• Soil
Page 41 and 42: Soil Water Movement,Hydrologic Cycl
Page 43 and 44: Soil Erosion• Predicting soil ero
Page 45 and 46: Clay Minerals• Clay minerals and
Page 47 and 48: Clay minerals• Clay minerals of m
Page 49 and 50: Benefits of Organic Matter• Organ
Page 51 and 52: Soil Acidity• The pH of a soil is
Page 53 and 54: Soil Chemical Processes• Mineral
Page 55 and 56: Soil Microorganisms• Bacteria are
Page 57 and 58: Soil Microorganisms• Actinomycete
Page 59 and 60: Soil Microorganisms• Algae, like

Lecture 3

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