Soils in India1
Soils in India1
Soil Profile
Soil is the upper layer of earth in which
plants grow and is usually composed of a
mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock
particles.
(or)
Soil is the upper layer of earth in which
plants grow and is usually composed a
mixture of rock particles and humus.
Soil is a natural resource that is essential
for life. Soil is used as a source for food,
clothing, shelter, minerals, coal, bricks,
mortar, pottery and porcelain. Soil
provides water and minerals to plants for
their growth. Thus all living organisms
depend on soil.
Horizon-A:
The topmost layer is dark in color, and
contains the remains of dead plants and
animals. This rotting matter is
called humus.
This layer of soil is called topsoil or A-
horizon.
It is made up of humus and minerals, and
makes the soil fertile.
It is soft and porous, and can retain more
water than the other layers.
Many tiny organisms, such as beetles,
worms and rodents, live in the topsoil. The
roots of small plants do not go down very
deep and can be found in the topsoil.
Horizon-B:
The layer below the topsoil is called B-
horizon or the middle layer.
The middle layer is less porous than the
topsoil, and is, therefore, harder.
It contains more minerals as compared to
the topsoil, but less quantity of humus.
Horizon-C:
It is not as compact as the two layers above
it. This layer is called C-horizon.
It has cracks running through it.
It is mostly made up of rocks.
Bedrock:
The bottom-most layer in the soil profile is
called bedrock.
This is far more solid in composition than
the other layers and is very hard. This layer
consists of the parent rock.
Soil erosion:
Soil As a Resource
Soil is formed over millions of years by
weathering of rocks and minerals and also
by natural agents like variation in
temperature, climate, wind, glaciers and
running water. The important factors that
influence soil formation are Relief, Parent
rock, Vegetation and other life forms and
Time.
Soil
Soil is the thin layer of matter that covers
the earth’s surface, made up of organic
matter, minerals and weathered rocks.