Soil components and their uses
Soil components and their uses
| Soil component | Use |
| Air | Oxygen is particularly required for respiration of micro organism and plant roots; decomposition of organic matter, germination of seed, root hair formation and growth and water absorption.
Nitrogen may be fixed by microorganisms into nitrates to be used by plants |
| Water | – As a source of water and dissolved mineral salt in plant.
– Promotes seed germination – Excess water (water logging) slows down water absorption (by lowering the respiration of plant roots since it displaced air from the soil) and decay. – Water softens soil for easy root penetration |
| soil organism | (i) Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.
– Promote germination by breaking seed coats – Fix nitrogen in the soil – Decompose and recycle or organic matter (ii) Macro organism such as rodent, termite and worms. – Turn the soil and improve aeration and drainage – Promote decay by breaking big pieces into small pieces – When they die they decay and add humus to the soil
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| Organic matter | Humus improves the water retention in the soil and therefore the soils containing humus will resist leaching.
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| Dissolved mineral salts | Source of mineral nutrients to the plants |
| Insoluble inorganic matter | Support the plant to stand upright |
CATEGORIES Bio Questions and answers
TAGS Dr. Bbosa Science
