The soil contain various components i.e minerals , organic material , air and water .On this combination of components the property of soil is depend .If quality and quantity of components decide the soil property i.e percolation of water through soil , moisture , absorption ,texture ,colour ,pH of soil .
1) Percolation of water through the soil :
Percolation means the diffusion of water .It is the property of soil by which it allows the flow through it .In different kinds of soil the diffusion of water is distinct as some soil soak up water or some soil allow the water to flow through it.The rate of percolation can be calculated by ,
∆ Percolation rate (mL/min) = Amount of water (mL)/Percolation time(min)
2) Moisture :
In soil there is a presence of water .The low and high amount of water present in soil decide the moisture of soil .If there is a high amount of water present in soil then it is clayey and if low amount of water present in soil then it’s a sandy soil.
3) Absorption :
The soil can absorb the water, as it has soak up ability .The absorptive nature of soil is depend on the particals of soil or porosity of the soil. Hence clayey and loamy soil absorb more water than sandy soil .
4) Colour of soil :
The colours mostly we see in soil is black ,brown, red, white , etc .This colour obtained by the soil because of the quantity and quality of minerals and humus present in it .
5) pH of soil :
The soil has different pH levels .Some soil are acidic , some are basic and some are neutral .The acidic soil is not good for growing crops while the neutral soil is best for growing crops.
6) Texture :
The size of soil particle decide the texture of soil.If soil has large particals it is sandy textured on the other hand if soil has small and fine particles it is clayey textured.
- Question based on topic:
1) Explain the properties of soil.
2) What is percolation of water through soil.
3) Define Absorption of soil.
4) Explain about texture and colour of soil.
5) Give information about the pH of soil.