Soil Profile Notes

Soil profile: the cross-sectional soil layers from the surface down to bedrock HORIZON: contains Organic Material; surface layer of partially or completely undecomposed plant residue A HORIZON- Top Soil; Contains decomposing organic material (hummus) and live organisms B HORIZON- Subsoil, plant roots penetrate this area; less hummus, more inorganic content C HORIZON- Bedrock, parent material for soil. Large unbroken pieces of rock are weathered to create inorganic components of soil

Soil Pyramid Notes

Quality soil- depends on the hummus (a lot of decaying organic material), appropriate moisture content, living organisms in top soil, physical structure of top soil Physical structure of soil- Inorganic portion made up of particles varying in size (gravel, sand, clay, silt) The ratio of those elements are used to determine what kind of soil it is. For agriculture, loam is the best