AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Soil is the loose surface material that covers most land. It consists of inorganic particles and organic matter. Soil provides the structural support to plants used in agriculture and is also their source of water and nutrients. Soils vary greatly in their chemical and physical properties.

Detailed explanation-2: -Best Soil For Plants: The ideal blend of soil for plant growth is called loam. Often referred to as topsoil or black dirt by landscape companies, loam is a mixture of sand, clay, and silt. The estimated mixture is 40% sand – 40% silt – 20% clay.

Detailed explanation-3: -Soils are a vital component of ecosystems because: the majority of plants grow in soil. soils determine the nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients that are available for plants. soils, with climate and topography, can determine the available water for plants.

Detailed explanation-4: -Soil structure not only affects the ability of roots to grow and to supply the leaves with water and nutrients; if adverse, it also induces them to send hormonal signals that slow the growth of the shoot, even if they are currently able to take up adequate water and nutrients.