Soil
by
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Soil lies in between the rocky or nonrocky
crust of the lithosphere below and the atmosphere above. Besides, it is surrounded by other soils or
pool of water all around. As such the
location of soil in general truly represents an interface of two main diversities. This situation represents an attractive
ground to invite a huge concentration of biological species which decline
sharply above and below (in the media of lithosphere and atmosphere) but show
gradual or abrupt changes in their surroundings where they merge into other
soils or the pools of water called as oceans.
Under our foot, hiding either under grasses and forest
canopy or being quite exposed to the atmosphere, this soil humbly and
continuously serves enormous span of lives (microbes, plants and animals
including homo-sapiens). These
soil-microbes and plants not only help us grow our food, but also in many cases
serve us by producing medicines and antibiotics to safeguard us from various
diseases.
In addition, soil also serves as a base for huge and small
structures (like buildings and roads) as well as a hiding ground for commercial
waste products.
It also works as a natural filter to purify usable water and
is a huge medium for consuming solar energy through its green plants for the
production of biomass. These plants
exist on the land as well as in ocean.
THE LAND AND THE OCEAN
When we look at the landmass, we can never ignore its
immediate counterpart "ocean."
These both together are the complete global arrangement of the planet
"Earth." In general one third
of the Earth's surface is land and the other two third is ocean. A negligent observer may find as haphazard
arrangement of the land and the ocean on the earth's surface. But this is not true. The entire continents occupy the space on
landmass in certain geometrical pattern and the arrangement is tetragonal. Land and ocean both contribute to enhance the
world's economy and are rich in natural resources. However, there are various important
differences in the continents and the oceans, which need to be recognized:
- The
oceans form one continuum, and the continents are separate masses.
- The
oceans have ridges located in the middle and the continents have elevated
Mountains particularly along the coast.
- The
oceans have deep trenches whereas continents don't have trenches so deep.
- Volcanoes
and lava-flows are more widespread in ocean floors than on the Continents.
- Photosynthesis
(which is a basic process for green plants to manufacture food) takes
place more in extent in the ocean than on the land surface. This, in
recent years, has created greater interest in the ocean's resources for
food-supply.
Land has always been different in appearance to different
persons. To a young child, it is a
playground; to a poet, an attractive topic; to a patriot, it is a symbol; to
the farmers, a direct means of their livelihood; and to an architect, it is a
space to build houses on. Besides, land
may have deposits of iron ore, as in
The vast amount of landmass, which lies around us, is one of
the basic resources for the rapidly growing human needs. With vast scientific knowledge, we have been
able to replace various commodities for higher efficiency, but we have never
been successful in replacing the needs of our land. Total replacement of land will be impossible
even in the future. Hence the knowledge
of land mass is quite essential, so that it may be handled adequately. In recent years, this has been very essential,
where population has been increasing at a rapid rate in the world and especially
in the
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About the Book
This book on “SOIL” has been written in a very simple and
straightforward manner, which is easy to understand by anyone who may have a
simple academic background of general science. This book contains the basic
properties of soil, which have been distinctly described under separate
chapters, which include an Introduction, Physical, Chemical, Mineralogical, and
its Biological properties. In addition, a comprehensive descriptive picture of
Soil has been presented in the following chapter of “Soil survey and classification
“ which brings out the entire philosophy of soil and
its classification methodology in a very precise manner. It is based on the
Classification System developed in the United States of America and is agreed
upon by the Soil Scientists of the most parts of the world. This is an open
system and is very viable, because it has a tremendous scope of improvements in
future. This is essential when one considers that soil itself is a very dynamic
system in nature. Finally the book ends with an insight for Crop production
based on its variable properties followed by its last chapter “Soil Care”. This
last chapter aims at the sustainability and productivity of our soil resources
for a longer period of time. This is possible only when we consider all aspects
of soil's properties and focus on its individuality, as it exists at a
particular location and time.
The purpose of this book is to bring awareness in the minds
of people of the world that soil is a living identity and must be used with
utmost care. Based on my thirty-eight years of prolonged learning which
includes all the theories and the practical aspects of Soil I must say, “It is
the only natural gift on which all kinds of living things have been depended
upon and will continue to depend in future too.” So each of us has to remain
obliged towards this, which is always under our feet.
About the Author
Suresh C. Tiwari was born in
He joined Bihar Agriculture Research Service in year 1954.
Since 1954 to 1964 he worked in various capacities including Senior Soil Survey
Assistant, Demonstrator in Soil Teaching Laboratory, as well as a Subject
Matter Specialist in Soils.
In year 1964 he joined The University of Georgia in
In year 1969 he joined