UNIT- 1

Soil formation:
Soil is the thin layer of material covering the earth's surface and is formed from the
weathering of rocks. It is made up mainly of mineral particles, organic materials, air, water
and living organisms—all of which interact slowly yet constantly.

How is soil formed step by step?

Soils are formed by disintegration and decomposition of rocks and vegetables and animal
fossils imbedded in them. The conversion of parent material into soil is known as soil
formation.
...
Stages of Soil Formation:
1. Physical or Mechanical Weathering:
2. Chemical Weathering: ...
3. Biological Weathering:

What are the 5 factors of soil formation?

Soils are formed through the interaction of five major factors: time, climate, parent
material, topography and relief, and organisms. The relative influence of
each factor varies from place to place, but the combination of all five factors normally
determines the kind of soil developing in any given place.

soil structure and clay mineralogy?

Water

What are the five types of soil?

There are six main soil types:

• Clay.
• Sandy.
• Silty.
• Peaty.
• Chalky.
• Loamy.
 What is structural water in soil?

Structural water or Molecular bounded water – It cannot be removed by oven drying. ...
Hygroscopic water – Water which is absorbed from the atmosphere and which is held tightly by
the soil particles, and which is unavailable for plants to absorb is called hygroscopic water.

What are the sources of soil water?

The main sources for irrigation water are groundwater from wells, surface water, drainage ponds,
rain and municipal water.

What are the three types of soil water?

There are three main types of soil water - gravitational water, capillary water, and
hygroscopic water - and these terms are defined based on the function of the water in
the soil.

What is Hydroscopic water?

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. hygroscopic water Water absorbed from the atmosphere
and held very tightly by the soil particles, so that it is unavailable to plants in amounts
sufficient for them to survive. Compare CAPILLARY MOISTURE. "hygroscopic water."

4 Types Of Water
• Surface Water. Surface waters include streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands. ...
• Ground Water. Groundwater, which makes up around 22% of the water we use, is the
water beneath the earth's surface filling cracks and other openings in beds of rock and
sand. ...
• Wastewater. ...
• Stormwater.

What is the difference between hygroscopic water and capillary water in soil?
Hygroscopic water is on the surface of the soil grains and is not capable of movement
by the action of gravity or capillary forces. ... Unavailable water is held too tightly
by capillary forces and is generally not accessible to plant roots. Available water is
the difference between gravitational and un- available water.