Basics of Soil Science
About the Soil- The soil is a natural resource.
- “the soil is the link between the rock core of the earth and the living things on its surface” Roy W. Simonson
- India can be called a land of paradoxes because of the large variety of soils.
- The Soil - Definition
- Sail is transformation product of mineral and organic substances on the earth's surface [Source: https://www.agricoachingdelhi.in/]
- Sail is growing medium for higher plants and basis of life for higher plants and basis of life for animals and mankind. [JRF SOIL 2015]
- Soil is four-dimensional as a space-time system.
- For a Pedologist, Soil is a natural body [BHU PrePG 2017]
- Soil is a result of complex biogeochemical and physical processes
- Soil is capable of supporting life
- Soil can be mapped at an appropriate scale.
- Engineers define soil as the unconsolidated material above the bedrock.
- Geologists define soil as the natural medium for the growth of plants
- Acronym SOIL is expanded to Soul Of Infinite Life. [JRF SOIL 2019]
- Soil microbiologists rightly define soil as a polis (society or community) that is governed by soil organisms [Source: https://www.agricoachingdelhi.in/]
- Fungi are the "governing" organisms in forest soils
- Other microbes are the "governors" or "soil managers" in other ecosystems.
- Acc. to FAO ``Soil is a natural body consisting of layers (soil horizons) that are composed of weathered minerals, organic matter, air and water. It is a natural medium for the growth of plants".
- Soil is a natural body formed under various factors as result of natural processes
- Soil as a porous system consists of 3 different phases solid, liquid and gases.
- An ideal soil has a ratio of 2:1:1 for solid: liquid: gas on volume basis [BHU PrePG 2018]
- Soil as a living body since it helps survival of numerous micro- and macro-organisms through physical and nutritional support.
- Mineral soils hardly contain 1-2% organic matter. [JRF SOIL 2017]
- Most of the soil minerals are inorganic aluminum-silicates.
- [Source: https://www.agricoachingdelhi.in/]