Topsoil: characteristics

The earth contains liquid, solid and gaseous components. The top layer of the soil consists of plant and living residues decomposed under the action of microorganisms. It is called humus and takes 10-20 centimeters. It is on it grow flowers, trees, vegetable crops.

Under it is located an infertile soil layer of 10-50 centimeters. Nutrients from it wash away the acid and water, so it is called the leaching horizon (leaching). Here own elements are released due to chemical, biological, physical processes, clay minerals appear.

The parent breed is deeper. It also has useful elements. For example, calcium, silicon, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and others.

Let's take a closer look at humus, since it plays a very important role in our life.

Humus: education, concept

The soil was formed during weathering of rocks and consists of organic and inorganic components. In addition, it contains air and water. This is only a scheme, but in fact each layer develops separately in accordance with certain conditions. Our land only seems homogeneous, it is inhabited by worms, insects, bacteria.

The top layer of the soil is its cover. In the forests it is represented by organic remains and flying leaves, in open areas - grassy vegetation. The cover protects the earth from drying out, hail, cold. Under it, the remains of insects and animals are decomposed. In the process of this decomposition, soil is enriched with mineral elements in a natural way.

Humus is inhabited by living organisms, permeated with roots of trees and plants, saturated with air. Its structure is loose, in the form of lumps. Here the formation and accumulation of nutrients by the root systems takes place.

Everyone knows that the topsoil, or rather, humus, is very important for fertility. The black substance contains carbon and nitrogen. This is a kind of cuisine, where food is prepared for planting (active humus). Also in this layer is a balance of nutrients, water and air regimes (stable humus).

What affects the fertile soil layer

The top layer of soil is affected by processing technology, type, climate, crop rotation. In the garden, by applying organic additives and rotted compost, it is possible to significantly increase the stable humus.

The type of soil is important for gardening . It depends on the mineral composition. Vegetable plants grow well on neutral or weakly acidic lands.

There are also indicators of fertility:

• Total acidity.
• Actual acidity.
• Cation exchange.
• The need for liming.
• Saturation with bases.
• Grading.
• Content of organic matter.
• The content of macronutrients.

The fertility is affected by the indicator "soil density". High values lead to deterioration of the air regime, difficulty in mobilizing nutrients, insufficient growth of roots. Low density retards the growth of the root system because of the voids and leads to increased evaporation of moisture.

Currently, there are fertilizers and additives, as well as various procedures to improve the quality of the fertile layer. But the earth needs to rest. Remember this!