Physical Characteristics Of Soil

Soil Definitions

Soil is a combination of minerals, organic matter, gases, liquids, and various organisms that come together to support life on Earth (Gupta, 2015). Buol et al., (2011) described it as a tiny layer of material on the surface of the earth, which are made up a lot of things, such as weathered rock and decomposed plant and animal matter. Doran and Parkin, (1994) referred to it as the unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the direct surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. Wild (1993), described as loose material composed of weathered mineral and other materials alongside partially decayed organic matter that covers large part of the land surface of the earth. While Gilluly et al., (1975) documented it to be an outcome of the influence of climate, relief, organisms, and its parent materials (original minerals) combining over time. It serves as a home for soil organisms, helps to recycle nutrients and organic wastes, it regulates water quality, modifies the atmospheric composition, and act as a medium

These three characteristics are connected, and influence on one another (Grigal, and Bates 1992; Doran and Parkin, 1994; Brady and Weil 2000)

Physical properties of soil include; soil density, Permeability, soil texture, structure, strength, porosity, temperature, colour and surface hydrology.

While the chemical properties of soil are nutrient status (inputs and outputs) in terms of soil colloidal properties, ion adsorption, soil acidity, soil pH.

Biological properties of soil include the multitude of organisms that thrive in soil, such as mycorrhizae, fungi, bacteria and worms.

Soil fertility

This is the ability of the soil to supply essential plant nutrients required by plants in adequate quantities and proper proportions so as to sustain plant growth (Steiner et al.,