BOTANY

Detailed explanation-1: -An ideal soil would be made up of 45% minerals (sand, clay, silt), 5 % organic (plant and animal) material, 25% air and 25% water. The mineral portion would be loam (20 – 30% clay, 30 – 50% silt and 30 – 50% sand).

Detailed explanation-2: -Soil is a source of mineral nutrients for many forms of life. Soil is made of mineral matter, organic matter, water, and air. The solid mineral matter and organic matter make up about 50 percent of the soil. The average soil contains about 45 per-cent mineral matter and about 5 percent organic matter.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water can make up approximately 2% to 50% of the soil volume. Water is important for transporting nutrients to growing plants and soil organisms and for facilitating both biological and chemical decomposition.

Detailed explanation-4: -Peaty Soils Organic matter in these soils may go even up to 40-50 per cent. These soils are normally heavy and black in colour.

Detailed explanation-5: -The ideal mixture for agriculture is called loam and has roughly 40% sand, 40% silt and 20% clay. The texture of a soil determines its capacities and limitations.