Summary: Essential plant nutrients are necessary for healthy plant growth. The 17 essential plant nutrients are C, O, H, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, B, Ni, Cu, Mo, Z, Cl, and Mn. Essential plant nutrients may be categorized as structural (C, O, H), primary macronutrients (N, P, K), secondary macronutrients (Ca, Mg, S) … Continue reading Essential Plant Nutrients: What Plants Need and Why
Soil Genesis: How Soils are Made
Summary: Soil formation is a natural process that occurs as a result of physical, chemical, and biological processes. The process of soil formation is known as pedogenesis. Soil formation is influenced by five factors: climate, topography, biota (organisms), parent material, and time. Humans can, and have, impacted soil formation. Outline: Why do soils form? How … Continue reading Soil Genesis: How Soils are Made
Laboratory Measurement of Soil pH
Summary: pH is a measure of the acidity of an aqueous (water-based) solution. pH can be used to determine the amount of hydrogen ions in a solution. In soil science, pH is important because it affects the solubility of many important plant nutrients and potential toxins. pH can be measured in several ways, some more … Continue reading Laboratory Measurement of Soil pH
What is soil? A General Overview
Summary: Soils in natural systems are located between the bedrock underground and the water, biota, or atmosphere aboveground. Soils can be natural or disturbed. Soils can be made up of individual particles or clumps of mineral material, water, air, and organic matter. Soils often support life. Soil is used to support all elements of human … Continue reading What is soil? A General Overview
The Science of Soils 