Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
0
100
17%
10
90
20
80
30
70
40
60
Clay
50
Silty clay
50
60
40
Silty clay loam
70
32%
30
80
20
Sandy
loam
90
Silty loam
10
Loamy sand
100
0
0
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
Sand 20-2000 microns (% )
51%
Figure 1
The soil textural triangle and example of composition of a clay loam. (Price 2006)
Soil fertility
What constitutes a fertile soil depends on a number of factors including soil
structure, soil chemistry and soil microbiology.
Plants require water, warmth, sunlight, air (oxygen) and nutrients in the right
balance to grow and thrive. All these components need to be available in the right
proportions for each type of plant being grown and for the stage of growth of the
plant. For example, some plants, such as azaleas, require acid soils, while some,
such as beans, prefer alkaline soils. Subterranean clovers generally cope with
moderately acid soils and medics require almost neutral to alkaline soils to thrive.
There are specific light or temperature requirements to enable some seeds to
germinate. This is a mechanism to ensure survival in harsh natural conditions.
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