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!