Soil Ingredients
This is the most basic component of soil, formed from the weathering of parent material.
Weathered rock/Rock particles)
This term describes the "feel" of the soil based on the size of its particles.
Texture
The process of breaking down rock into smaller pieces via wind, water, or ice.
Weathering
A farmer who plants different crops every year to prevent nutrient depletion is practicing this.
Crop Rotation
This is the very top layer of the soil profile, often called "Topsoil," where most nutrients and organisms are found.
A Horizon
This dark, organic material forms when plants and animals decay.
Humus/Organic matter
This property measures how quickly water can pass through a soil sample.
Permeability
The process of carrying away soil and rock to a new location.
Erosion
These are rows of trees planted on the edges of fields to prevent wind erosion.
Windbreaks
This solid, unweathered rock layer lies at the very bottom of the soil profile and acts as the foundation.
Bedrock or R Horizon
If a soil sample feels "gritty," it likely has a high concentration of this particle size.
Sand
A soil that is dark brown or black in color usually indicates a high level of this.
Fertility or Organic Matter
These organisms help create fertile soil by breaking down dead remains.
Decomposers
This term refers to the responsible management and protection of soil resources.
Stewardship
This layer, also known as "Subsoil," usually contains minerals washed down from above but has very little organic
B Horizon
This factor has the greatest influence on the initial mineral composition of a soil profile.
Type of Parent Rock
As you dig deeper into a soil profile toward the bedrock, this usually decreases.
Fertility/Organic content
When soil loses too much of this element over time, its structure weakens and plant growth suffers.
Carbon
Planting "cover crops" instead of leaving a field bare is an example of this.
Soil Conservation/Stewardship
This horizon consists of partially weathered rock fragments and sits directly above the solid bedrock.
C Horizon
These two specific chemical elements are vital for plant growth and human food security.
Carbon and Nitrogen
This property measures the acidity or alkalinity of the soil.
pH
This is the primary reason fertile soil is considered such a valuable natural resource.
It is limited in supply/Take a long time to form
If a farmer notices their soil is losing its nutrients (like Nitrogen) after years of the same crop, they are experiencing this.
Nutrient Depletion
This thin, uppermost layer (above the topsoil) is composed almost entirely of organic debris like spilled leaves and twigs.
O Horizon