EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -By-products from growing roots and plant residues feed soil organisms. In turn, soil organisms support plant health as they decompose organic matter, cycle nutrients, enhance soil structure and control the populations of soil organisms, both beneficial and harmful (pests and pathogens) in terms of crop productivity.

Detailed explanation-2: -Nutrients get into the soil many different ways: from decomposed animal waste and dead plants, the atmosphere, weathering of rocks and bacteria conversions. When soils are used to grow foods, the soils need to be kept healthy, as a lot of nutrients are taken up by plants and not replaced.

Detailed explanation-3: -Decomposition is a critical process in the nutrient dynamics of a soil. As litter decomposes, microorganisms become inextricably associated with the decaying litter creating a substrate–microbe complex. The microorgan-isms will decay the litter in order to gain carbon, nutrients and energy for growth and reproduction.

Detailed explanation-4: -Laterite soils are mostly the end products of weathering. They are formed by the decomposition of rocks, removal of bases and silica, and accumulation of iron oxide and aluminium oxide.