Vital for plant development, human nourishment, and water filtering, good soils are crucial for plant health. A landscape supported by healthy soil is more resistant to the effects of drought, flood, and fire. Soil regulates the planet’s climate and absorbs more energy than all the world’s trees combined. We depend on healthy soils for our survival. Our system of life support is the soil. Soils provide anchoring for roots, contain water and nutrients, and provide anchorage for roots. Numerous microorganisms that fix nitrogen or degrade organic matter live in soils, along with armies of microscopic creatures, earthworms, and termites. We also construct with and within the dirt. Importance of soil for Earth’s environment. Without soil, human existence would be nearly impossible. Soil provides plants with a stronghold for their origins and holds the essential nutrients for the growth of plants. It filters the stormwater and regulates the discharge of rainwater, trying to prevent flooding; it can store large amounts of organic carbon; it acts as a buffer against pollutants, thereby protecting groundwater quality; and it offers Man with some vital manufacturing and construction materials, we construct our houses with bricks composed of clay, and we drink coffee from a cup made from a coffee bean. Soil functions are the general capacities of soils that are essential for various agricultural, environmental, nature conservation, landscape architecture, and urban uses. Six essential soil functions include:
- The origin of raw materials.
- Natural habitat and genetic diversity.
- Environmental Interaction: storage, filtration, and change
- Both physical and cultural treasures are protected.
- Production of food and other biomaterials.
- Support for man-made structures, such as buildings and roads.
Numerous essential services are provided by soil to both humans and the planet. The soil provides food, cleanses our water, defends us from flooding, and combats drought. It is also essential for combating climate change since it absorbs and stores large quantities of carbon.
It takes more time than the average human lifespan to create fresh soil. We must safeguard and conserve soil since it is a scarce living resource.
The soil teems with life. There are more organisms inside a handful of dirt than humans on Earth.
Without good soils, food security cannot be achieved. Despite being the sole necessary business, agriculture has one of the most significant effects on soil health. Intensive farming eradicates soil-dwelling species, which contribute to soil fertility. Our current agricultural practices are undermining our capacity to feed the world in the future.
Importance of Soil in Agriculture
The human use and control of water and soil resources have affected the evolution, survival, decline, and regeneration of agriculture-dependent human civilizations. Soil and water are vital natural elements for our domesticated plant- and animal-based food production systems. Agriculture is a new human innovation that expanded swiftly over the globe between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, during the Agricultural Revolution, despite its vital importance today.
Although soil is sometimes considered the “fertile substrate,” not all soils are appropriate for crop production. Ideal agricultural soils contain a balance of the following mineral components: sand: 0.02–0.05 mm, silt: 0.002–0.05 mm, clay: 0.002 mm, soil organic material (SOM), air, and water. The balanced contributions of these components promote fluid retention and drain, oxygen in the root zone, crop growth-promoting nutrients, and physical support for plants. The arrangement of these soil components is influenced by the five variables of soil development: accumulations, time, climate, organisms, and topography. Each of these characteristics plays a significant and overlapping function in determining a soil’s agricultural suitability.
Importance of Soil Fertility
Nitrogen is one of the essential soil qualities for crop development. Correct quantities of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and other nutrients are necessary for crop growth and output. Rich soil retains moderate to substantial concentrations of plant-growth essential nutrients. Soil fertility is influenced by both soil organic matter and trace minerals. Together with soil biology, they influence the nutrients available, how they are stored inside the soil, and how nutrients are made accessible to plants. Soil fertility is the power of soil to support plant growth by providing required plant nutrients and desirable biochemical, physical, and biological properties as a growth habitat. Plant nutrients consist of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, and magnesium. In essence, micronutrients include arsenic, chlorinated, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Fertilisers are synthetic or natural substances or materials applied to the soil, leaves, or water in rice systems, fertigation, hydroponics, or aquaculture activities to deliver nutrients to plants. Sources of nutrients include mineral and chemical fertilisers, organic fertilisers like manure and compost, and recycled nutrients.
Most of the Sustainable Development Goals reflect soil fertility’s effects, encompassing economic, social, and environmental factors. The primary purpose of fertile soil is the production of food, which is crucial in light of the FAO’s Zero Hunger aim. A fertile soil also provides essential elements for plant growth, enabling the production of nutritious food containing all the components required for human health. In addition, fertility affects economic activity and is consequently tied to economic growth and the struggle against poverty. Good soil fertility management can reduce soil, water, and air pollution, regulate the availability of water resources, sustain a diversified and dynamic biotic community, improve vegetation cover, and result in a carbon-neutral footprint.
Importance of Soil Conservation
Soil Conservation is a set of actions employed to prevent soil degradation. Priority one in soil conservation is to view the soil as a functioning ecosystem. This involves continually restoring organic stuff to the soil. Conservation of soil might be compared to preventative auto maintenance. Regularly changing the oil and filter and inspecting the hoses and spark plugs will prevent costly repairs and engine failure in the future. Similarly, implementing conservation practices will protect the soil’s quality for future usage.
Soil conservation is a “combination” of techniques employed to prevent soil degradation. First and foremost, soil conservation is respecting the soil as a living ecosystem and realising that all the species that call the soil home play crucial roles in fostering a fertile, healthy environment. They decompose organic debris, release nutrients, and create gaps in air and water circulation.
Because most soil organisms rely on decaying plant and animal matter for nutrients and energy, agricultural production necessitates the continuous addition of organic matter. Organic matter offers good soil structure and water-holding capacity, encourages water infiltration, and safeguards the soil and compaction.
In addition to maintaining soil life and organic material, the additional principles and importance of soil conservation include:
- Managing surface runoff.
- Protecting bare exposed soil surfaces and highly vulnerable areas (e.g. steep slopes).
- Protecting upstream watercourses from sediment and pollution.
Soil conservation is a constant, dynamic activity to which the practitioner must maintain dedication. The first stage is to get a solid foundational understanding of land resources. This involves determining where the soil is most porous and vulnerable to groundwater pollution from excess pesticides or where the land is most prone to water erosion due to slope and soil texture. Without this knowledge, it is impossible to formulate a suitable conservation strategy.
The subsequent steps include identifying or forecasting trouble spots, selecting and implementing soil conservation strategies, and maintaining control structures. The third step is continuously monitoring the plan’s efficacy and making necessary adjustments.
To improve habitat for wildlife. Soil conservation methods, such as establishing buffer zones and windbreaks or restoring soil organic matter, considerably improve the environmental quality for all forms of animals.
Oil conservation has been shown to boost the quantity and quality of crop yields over the long term since it keeps topsoil in place and maintains the soil’s long-term productivity.
Importance of Soil Profile
The soil profile is an essential component of nutrient management. By analysing a soil profile, we can acquire significant knowledge about soil fertility. The soil profile alters as soil weather conditions and/or organic matter break down. For example, heavily worn, infertile soil contains approximately a light-coloured layer of leached nutrients in the subsurface soil. In contrast, incredibly fertile soil typically has a deep surface layer rich in organic materials. We can begin to estimate a soil’s performance under specific nutrient management settings based on hints offered by its soil profile. Scientists have devised ways to describe the soil profile’s many components and properties. Using standard vocabulary, soil profile analyses are helpful in determining how the soil may be utilised and/or forecasting how the soil may respond to its intended usage. Technical soil descriptions are beneficial for farmers and scientists, environmentalists, soil engineers, hydrologists, and land use planners. A soil horizon constitutes a unique soil layer. The horizon is approximately parallel to a soil surface and has distinct qualities and characteristics compared to the layers immediately above and below. A soil profile is a vertical piece illustrating all of its layers. The soil profile stretches from the ground’s surface to the underlying parent rock.
The regolith comprises the entire profile’s weathered material. The regolith is composed of two components: solum and saprolite. The solum consists of the profile’s upper horizons that are the most worn. The saprolite is the most minor weathered layer above the solid, consolidated bedrock and below the regolith.
Five master horizons comprise the soil profile. Not all soil profiles contain all five layers; hence, soil profiles vary by location. These letters represent the five master horizons: O, A, E, B, and C.
O: The O horizon is a surface horizon composed of various stages of decomposition of organic matter. It is more prevalent in wooded regions where tree debris has accumulated.
A: The A horizon is a surface horizon composed primarily of minerals (sand, silt, and clay) and significant amounts of organic material. This horizon comprises the surface layer of many grasslands and agricultural soils.
E: The E horizon is an extensively leached subsurface horizon. Leaching is the process by which precipitation or irrigation causes the loss of soluble nutrients from the soil. Typically, the horizon is a light colour. It is typically located below the O horizon.
B: The B horizon is a subsurface deposited by the layer(s) above it. It is where particular minerals leached from the layer(s) above are deposited.
C: The C horizon is beneath the surface. It is the most pristine horizon. It is an unconsolidated, loose parent material known as saprolite.
Importance of Soil Texture
The texture of soil describes the ranges of particle sizes. Expert soil scientists estimate it in the field, and is also measured in the laboratory. The texture is evaluated in the field by manipulating a ball (bolus) of damp soil between the thumb and forefinger to determine the “feel” of the soil. The hand-feel of damp soil is affected by the amount of sand, silt, or clay in the samples and other soil properties, including organic matter or calcium carbonate. Organic matter significantly contributes to soil texture, reducing stickiness and improving the cohesiveness of sandy soils, making them appear loamy. The importance of soil’s texture is that it significantly impacts agriculture because it affects aeration, water transport and storage, nutrient retention capacity, and erodibility.
It affects other physical soil features such as permeability, structure, porosity, and water retention capacity.
Erosion resistance is affected by soil texture. Loose soil particles make coarse-textured soil more susceptible to erosion.
It influences the extent to which plant roots penetrate the soil. Where soil particles are big, roots can penetrate more quickly than in dense, fine-grained soil.
The water absorption rate into the soil is determined by its texture. As coarse-textured soil particles are denser than fine-textured soil, the infiltration rate is greater.
Finally, soil texture affects soil fertility because it controls the soil’s capacity to retain water and nutrients for plant usage.
Most soils include mineral particles of varying sizes. Based on their size, these particles are termed sand, silt, or clay.
The greatest of the mineral particles is sand. Sand particles generate big pores, which enhances aeration. Water flows rapidly through the big pores. Soils having a high sand content are often well-drained. Sandy soils could not retain nutrients and are hence barren. Sandy soils also have a gritty texture.
Silt is a soil particle of medium size. Silt offers excellent water retention and fertility qualities. When dry, it has the texture of wheat, yet when wet, it is as soft as velvet.
Clay is a small crystallite size in soil. Clay can retain both plant-usable nutrients and water. It causes microscopic pores, leading to poor water drainage and aeration. When dry, clay hardens and becomes tacky when wet.
The texture of soil describes the ratio of three particle sizes and the fineness or coarseness of soil. There are two ways to determine the texture of the soil. The proportions of sand, silt, and clay may be determined in the laboratory. The texture class of the soil can be assessed using the textural triangle once tested.
Vital because it determines soil qualities that influence plant growth is soil’s texture. Water-holding capacity, permeability, and workability are three of these qualities. A soil’s water-holding capacity is its ability to retain water. Most plants require a constant supply of water, which they acquire from the soil. In addition to water, plants require air in the root zone. Permeability is the easiness with which water and air can permeate the soil. Soil workability refers to the ease and speed with which soil can be tilled.
Soils with more sand are easier to work on than those with a high proportion of clay. Sandier soils are looser than clay soils, making clay soils more challenging to break up or cultivate. Clay soil takes longer to dry after rain than sandy soil. Because it drains easier, sandy soil can be worked more quickly. With moist clay soil, the farmer or gardener must wait a little longer for the soil to dry adequately. The texture of the soil may restrict the kind of crops that can be cultivated. For instance, root crops such as carrots and onions thrive in sandy soil because it helps the plants to spread. On the other side, some crops may have reduced development in sandy soil due to the soil’s inability to retain water and nutrients.
Importance of Soil ph.
The acidity or alkalinity of soils can be determined by measuring their pH value. For optimal plant growth, it is necessary to maintain the proper ph. Understanding the long-term consequences of various soil management strategies on soil ph. is also essential. According to scientific studies, some agricultural techniques drastically modify the pH of the soil. The soil’s natural pH is determined by the rock from which it developed (parent material) and the degradation processes that operated on it, such as climate, vegetation, terrain, and time. Over time, these actions reduce the pH (increasing acidity). Some agricultural operations can potentially hasten the process of acidity.
The importance of Soil pH is that it influences the solubility of nutrients and compounds in soil water and, consequently, the availability of nutrients to plants. Some nutrients are much more accessible in acidic environments, whereas others are more accessible in alkaline environments. However, most mineral nutrients are readily accessible to plants when the pH of the soil is close to neutral. Strongly acidic soils (below 5.5 pH) can result in poor crop growth due to aluminium toxicity, manganese toxicity, calcium insufficiency, and magnesium deficiency. Low concentrations of essential plant nutrients, including phosphorus and molybdenum. Alkaline soils may have nutrient deficiencies with zinc, copper, boron, and manganese. Soils with a pH greater than nine are likely to contain high salt concentrations. The optimal pH range for soil is between 5.5 to 7.5. Hence it is essential to monitor pH levels regularly. Long-term nutrient shortages can be expensive and difficult to rectify. Thus it is essential to identify soil pH issues as soon as possible. Changing soil pH: Some fertilisers can alter soil pH and either increase or decrease the availability of nutrients to plants. Fertilisers such as crushed sulphur and certain ammonium-based nitrogen fertilisers reduce the pH and acidify the soil. Therefore, they are beneficial for soils with pH-related issues.
Importance of Soil Water
Plants and soil creatures rely on soil water for survival; they cannot thrive without it. Soil water includes nutrients that are absorbed by plant roots during water uptake. Water enters the soil through macropores and is held in many micropores (micropores). There is a balance among macro and micropores in porous soils. More precipitation cannot be held in the soil profile when the soil has reached its field capacity. Therefore the majority of water rushes off and may cause erosion. When a soil sample is saturated, planting a crop to utilise the water is one alternative. This opportunity cropping minimises the stored water, making room for additional precipitation.
When controlling soil water, the following must be taken into account:
Organic matter enhances the soil’s ability to retain water.
Understanding the depth of roots in plants is crucial; for instance, shallow-rooted seedlings are unlikely to have access to water in soils with substantial subsurface storage.
Accurate figures of soil water provide a better match between nutrient application and irrigation schedule.
Importance of Soil Organic Matter
Organic materials are the portion of the soil that consists of approximately 5% live organisms, 10% crop residues, 33-50% decomposable organic matter (the active fraction), and 33-50% stable organic matter (humus) by weight (USDA-NRCS, 2014). The active fraction of organic matter quickly changes mass and form during decomposition; hence, it is volatile in the soil and is most influenced by management methods such as ploughing, cover crops, and cover crops (Carter, 2002). Rapid turnover of the active component may contribute to plant nutrient release. Humus, in contrast, hand, is organic matter that has been rendered resistant to degradation by microorganisms. Humus enhances soil fertility by acting as a nutrient reservoir, increasing the soil’s water-holding capacity, enhancing soil quality and deformability, and supplying a source of energy for soil organisms. The importance of soil organic matter:
Nutrient Supply: Organic matter is an essential source of nutrients for plants and other living organisms. During the spring and early summer, when microorganisms are most active, organic nutrients are converted to inorganic and plant-available forms in higher quantities. For every per cent of organic matter in the top six inches of a medium-textured soil (silt and loam soils), around 10 to 20 pounds of nitrogen, 1 to 2 pounds of phosphorus, and 0.4 to 0.8 pounds of sulphur are released per acre every year (USDA-NRCS, 2014). Additionally, O.M. particles include negatively charged sites (i.e., cation exchange capacity [CEC]) that attract and retain ions with positive charges, such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and ammonium-nitrogen.
Erosion Control: Soils with more excellent organic matter (O.M.) tend to have greater aggregate stability, which can boost water infiltration capacity and minimise the likelihood that water, soils, and nutrients will erode. Due to improved water infiltration and solid soil aggregate development, increasing soil organic matter from 1 to 3 per cent can minimise erosion by 20 to 33 per cent, according to data derived from the global soil loss equation.
Soil Structure: Organic matter improves soil structure and enables soil particles to bond and create stable soil aggregates. With improved soil structuring, water infiltration thru the soil increases, enhancing the soil’s capacity to absorb and retain water and reducing the likelihood of surface crusting.
Biological Process: The majority of O.M.’s benefits begin with increasing the biodiversity and activity of the soil. As O.M. concentrations rise, microbial activity tends to rise. Organic matter consists of 58% carbon, which, together with other nutrients, is essential for microbial activity. Microorganisms secrete chemicals that bind soil particles, enhancing concrete strength, waterlogging, and water retention capacity.
Water Retention Capacity: Soils have a higher O.M. and more extensive water infiltration and storage capacity. Like a sponge, organic matter can absorb and retain up to 90 per cent of its weight in water. The ability of O.M. to discharge most of the water it absorbs is a significant advantage of its water-holding capacity. The increase in plant-available water with increasing O.M. concentration is depicted in Figure 2 for three distinct soil types. Increasing organic matter by one percent in the topsoil decreases bulk density. It increases water supply capacity by around 0.2-0.3 inches, which can be particularly beneficial in assisting plants with water management during periods of moisture deficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs
Q- What is soil and its importance?
Soil is a life-sustaining natural resource that is generated by the combination of weathered rock elements and decomposed organic biomass. It is among the essential natural resources. Soil is the most crucial element for life on Earth. The living ecosystem is the soil. Existence is impossible without dirt. According to our Vedas, life on Earth is composed of five elements, one of which is soil. Therefore, the soil is responsible for the creation of life forms, the development of life forms, and the elimination of life forms. If soil quality contains death, it also contains life. Soil is a resource, a sentient, breathing creature that will sustain itself if appropriately managed. When it has been severely drained, the world’s population will vanish… The next time you visit a garden, project your imagination onto the soil below you. Consider with compassion the existence of life there. Consider the theatre, the sensuality, the harvesting, and the constant labour.” The significance of soil cannot be expressed in words. On every part of the planet, whether it be plants, animals, or microorganisms, the relevance or importance of soil is immense.
