EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Crop Rotation Diversity can be improved with cash crops as well as cover crops. Diverse crop rotations can reduce pests and diseases that are specific to certain plant species, build the health of soil microbes that provide nutrients to your plants and ultimately lead to improved yields.

Detailed explanation-2: -The O horizon is typically at the top of the soil structure and is made up of mostly organic matter. This organic matter is vital to the growth of crops and other plants because it holds nutrients such as carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen and sulfur.

Detailed explanation-3: -Loamy-textured soils are commonly described as medium textured with functionally-equal contributions of sand, silt, and clay. These medium-textured soils are often considered ideal for agriculture as they are easily cultivated by farmers and can be highly productive for crop growth.

Detailed explanation-4: -Important agronomic soil properties include the soil water-holding capacity, infiltration rate, aggregation, temperature, organic matter content, and nutri-ent availability.