COMPOSITION OF SOIL
Soil is the mixture of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and the countless organisms that together support life on Earth. Soil composition is an important aspect of nutrient management. While soil minerals and organic matter hold and store nutrients, soil water is what readily provides nutrients for plant uptake. Soil air, too, plays an integral role since many of the microorganisms that live in the soil need air to undergo the biological processes that release additional nutrients into the soil. Soil is composed of both organic and inorganic matter, and it is essential for life on earth to exist. Soil is composed of: Mineral Particles: Mineral particles are the largest ingredient and make up approx 45% of soils . They are the original rock that got broken down by weathering and erosion to form the basis of soil. The type of rock that was broken down to form it is called the parent rock. The broken down rock produces minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potas...