NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -It consists of four major components: air, water, organic matter, and mineral matter (Fig. 2.1). In an ideal soil, air and water fill the pore space and compose about 50 percent of the volume; organic matter accounts for about 1-5 percent of the soil volume; and mineral matter accounts for the remaining 45-49 percent.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ideal Soils So, the ideal soil (according to a textbook) contains 50% solids and 50% pore space. Furthermore, in the ideal soil, half of the pore space would be macropores (air filled) and half would be micropores (water filled) because the grass roots need both air and water to survive.

Detailed explanation-3: -A ratio of 60% water and 40% air in your soil’s macropores creates optimal conditions for plant roots and microorganisms that help plants thrive. A 60/40 ratio means your soil is healthy.

Detailed explanation-4: -It is defined as the ratio of the volume of the voids or pore space divided by the total volume. It is written as either a decimal fraction between 0 and 1 or as a percentage. For most rocks, porosity varies from less than 1% to 40%.

Detailed explanation-5: -The spaces between them are called pore space and are filled with air and water. It is desirable for an agricultural soil to have about one-half soil particles and one-half pore space by volume. Ideally, organic matter will account for 5% or more of the weight of soil particles.