Soils vary widely in composition and structure from place to place. Soils are formed through the weathering of rock and the breakdown of organic matter. Weathering is the action of wind, rain, ice, sunlight and biological processes on rocks, which breaks them down into small particles. The proportions of minerals and organic matter determine the structure and other characteristics of a particular soil. Soils can be divided into two general layers or strata: topsoil, the topmost layer, where most plant roots, microorganisms, and other animal life are located, and subsoil, which is deeper and often mor ...

See also:

Soil, Soil - Soil components, Soil - Natural soil development, Soil - Chemical processes in soils, Soil - Biological processes in soil, Soil - Wetland soil processes, Soil - Biological soil crusts

Read more here: » Soil: Encyclopedia II - Soil - Soil components

See also:

Soil, Soil - Soil components, Soil - Natural soil development, Soil - Chemical processes in soils, Soil - Biological processes in soil, Soil - Wetland soil processes, Soil - Biological soil crusts

Read more here: » Soil: Encyclopedia II - Soil - Biological processes in soil

Weathering releases ions such as Potassium (K+) and Magnesium (Mg2+) into the soil solution. Some of these elements (as ions) are taken up by bacteria, fungi and plants. The remaining portion can form secondary minerals, be chelated into organic complexes or be adsorbed into ion exchange complexes. Anion exchange complexes affect negatively charged ions (phosphate) and compounds. Anion exchange surfaces occur most typically in humus. Cation exchange complexes affect positively charged ions. Cation exchange surfaces are ...

See also:

Soil, Soil - Soil components, Soil - Natural soil development, Soil - Chemical processes in soils, Soil - Biological processes in soil, Soil - Wetland soil processes, Soil - Biological soil crusts

Read more here: » Soil: Encyclopedia II - Soil - Chemical processes in soils

India is the sacred land which has given birth to countless sages, Rishis, Yogins, saints and prophets. India is the land that has produced many Acharyas or spiritual preceptors like Sri Sankara and Sri Ramanuja; many saints like Kabir, Ramdas, Tukaram and Gauranga Mahaprabhu; many Yogins like Jnana Dev, Dattatreya and Sadasiva Brahman; and many prophets like Buddha and Nanak. Buddha is our flesh and blood.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hinduism: The Spiritual Soil Of India

The Free Soil Party was a short-lived political party in the United States organized in 1840 that faded out by about 1856. Its main purpose was opposing the extension of slavery into the territories, as well as advocating the abolition of slavery itself. Free Soil Party - Genesis. The party was formed around the Wilmot Proviso, failed legislation requiring all territory taken from Mexico in the Mexican-American war be free from slavery. When New Mexico and Utah were opened to slavery based on the popular so ...

Including:

• Free Soil Party - Genesis
• Free Soil Party - Positions
• Free Soil Party - First convention
• Free Soil Party - Collapse of the Whig party and the Compromise of 1850
• Free Soil Party - Legacy
• Free Soil Party - Presidential candidates

Read more here: » Free Soil Party: Encyclopedia - Free Soil Party

Compost is the decomposed remnants of organic materials (those with plant and animal origins). Compost is used in gardening and agriculture, mixed in with the soil. It improves soil structure, increases the amount of organic matter, and provides nutrients. Decomposition of organic matter is nature's renewal process for recycling simple molecules. Compost is a common name for humus, which is the result of the decomposition of organic matter. Decomposition is performed primarily by microbes, although larger creatures such as worm ...

Including:

• Compost - Decomposers
• Compost - Compost ingredients
• Compost - Composting techniques
• Compost - Microbes and heating the pile
• Compost - Other ingredients
• Compost - Composting systems

Read more here: » Compost: Encyclopedia - Compost

For the battery, see alkaline battery The word alkali can mean:- In chemistry, an alkali is a specific type of base, formed as a carbonate, hydroxide or other ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkali earth metal element. The word alkali or the adjective alkaline are frequently used to refer to all bases, since most common bases are alkalis, although such use is really a synecdoche. In the western parts of the USA, natural soda or potash deposits (soda and potash themselves are both alkali salt ...

Including:

• Alkali - Common properties of alkalis
• Alkali - Confusion between base and alkali
• Alkali - Alkali salts
• Alkali - Alkali soil
• Alkali - Etymology

Read more here: » Alkali: Encyclopedia - Alkali

Acid rain is defined as any type of precipitation with a pH of below 5.0. Normal rain has a pH which can range between 4.5 and 5.6 with an average value of 5.0. This natural acidity is caused by dissolved carbon dioxide dissociating to form weak carbonic acid. 'Acid rain' is caused by sulfur from volcanic venting or impurities in fossil fuels, and nitrogen from the air, combining with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These diffuse into the atmosphere and react with water to form sulfuric and nitric acids which are so ...

Including:

• Acid rain - Origin
• Acid rain - Formation
• Acid rain - History
• Acid rain - Prevention Methods
• Acid rain - Effects of acid rain on soil biology

Read more here: » Acid rain: Encyclopedia - Acid rain

Earthworm is the common reference for the larger members of the Oligochaeta (which is either a class or subclass depending on the author) in the phylum Annelida. In classical systems they were placed in the order Opisthopora, on the basis of the male pores opening to the outside of body posterior to the female pores, even though the male segments are anterior to the female. Cladistic studies have supported placing them instead in the Haplotaxida, which also includes the family Haplotaxidae. Folk names for earthworm incl ...

Including:

• Earthworm - Overview
• Earthworm - Anatomy
• Earthworm - Reproduction
• Earthworm - Behavior
• Earthworm - Locomotion and importance to soil
• Earthworm - Benefits
• Earthworm - Earthworms as invasives
• Earthworm - Special habitats
• Earthworm - Ecology
• Earthworm - Threats to earthworms
• Earthworm - Economic Impact
• Earthworm - External References

Read more here: » Earthworm: Encyclopedia - Earthworm

Under conditions in which rainfall exceeds evapotranspiration (leaching) during most of the year, the basic soil cations (Ca, Mg, K) are gradually depleted and replaced with cations helds in colloidal soil reserves, leading to soil acidity. Clay soils often contain Fe and hydroxy Al, which affect the retention and availability of fertilizer cations and anions in acidic soils. Soil acidification may also occur by addition of hydrogen, due to decomposition of organic matter, acid-forming fertilizers, and exchange of ...

See also:

Soil pH, Soil pH - Nutrient availability in relation to soil pH, Soil pH - Soils and acidity, Soil pH - Soil life and pH, Soil pH - pH and plant diseases, Soil pH - Determining pH, Soil pH - Altering soil pH

Read more here: » Soil pH: Encyclopedia II - Soil pH - Soils and acidity

SOiL - Current members. AJ Cavalier - vocals (2004-) Adam Zadel - guitars/vocals Shaun Glass - guitars Tim King - bass Tom Schofield - drums SOiL - Former members. Ryan McCombs - vocals (-2004) ...

See also:

SOiL, SOiL - Members, SOiL - Current members, SOiL - Former members, SOiL - Discography, SOiL - External link

Read more here: » SOiL: Encyclopedia II - SOiL - Members

Soil science - Justus von Liebig. The early concepts of soil were based on ideas developed by a German chemist, Justus von Liebig (1803 – 1873), and modified and refined by agricultural scientists who worked on samples of soil in laboratories, greenhouses, and on small field plots. The soils were rarely examined below the depth of normal tillage. These chemists held the "balance-sheet" theory of plant nutrition. Soil was considered a more or less static storage bin for plant nutrients—the soils could be used ...

See also:

Soil science, Soil science - History of Soil Science, Soil science - Justus von Liebig, Soil science - V.V. Dokuchaev, Soil science - C. F. Marbut, Soil science - Hans Jenny, Soil science - Guy Smith, Soil science - Soil Science Practice, Soil science - Fields of study in soil science, Soil science - Fields of application in soil science, Soil science - Related disciplines

Read more here: » Soil science: Encyclopedia II - Soil science - History of Soil Science

Academically, soil scientists tend to be drawn to one of five areas of specialization: microbiology, pedology, edaphology, physics or chemistry. Yet the work specifics are very much dictated by the challenges facing our civilization's desire to sustain the land that supports it, and the distinctions between the sub-disciplines of soil science often blur in the process. Soil science professionals commonly stay current in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil microbiology, pedo ...

See also:

Soil science, Soil science - History of Soil Science, Soil science - Justus von Liebig, Soil science - V.V. Dokuchaev, Soil science - C. F. Marbut, Soil science - Hans Jenny, Soil science - Guy Smith, Soil science - Soil Science Practice, Soil science - Fields of study in soil science, Soil science - Fields of application in soil science, Soil science - Related disciplines

Read more here: » Soil science: Encyclopedia II - Soil science - Soil Science Practice

The aim when attempting to adjust soil acidity is not so much to neutralise the pH as to replace lost cation nutrients, particularly calcium. This can be achieved by adding limestone to the soil, which is available in various forms: Agricultural lime (ground limestone or chalk). These are natural forms of calcium carbonate which are extracted in the UK from areas such as the Mendips and Salisbury Plain. This is probably the cheapest form of lime for gardening and agricultural use and can be applied at any time of the year. These ...

See also:

Soil pH, Soil pH - Nutrient availability in relation to soil pH, Soil pH - Soils and acidity, Soil pH - Soil life and pH, Soil pH - pH and plant diseases, Soil pH - Determining pH, Soil pH - Altering soil pH

Read more here: » Soil pH: Encyclopedia II - Soil pH - Altering soil pH

In a balanced soil, plants grow in an active and vibrant environment. The mineral content of the soil and its physical structure are important for their well-being, but it is the life in the earth that powers its cycles and provides its fertility. Without the activities of soil organisms, dead matter would accumulate and litter the soil surface, and there would be no food for plants. The soil biota includes: Megafauna: size range 20 mm upwards, e.g. moles, rabbits, and rodents. Macrofauna: size range 2-20 mm, e.g ...

See also:

Soil life, Soil life - Overview, Soil life - Bacteria, Soil life - Nitrification, Soil life - Nitrogen fixation, Soil life - Denitrification, Soil life - Actinobacteria, Soil life - Fungi, Soil life - Mycorrhizae

Read more here: » Soil life: Encyclopedia II - Soil life - Overview

Bacteria are single-celled organisms, and are the most numerous denizens of the soil, with populations ranging from 100 million to 3 billion in a gram. They are capable of very rapid reproduction by binary fission (dividing into two) in favourable conditions. One bacterium is capable of producing 16 million more in just 24 hours. Most soil bacteria live in close proximity to plant roots and are often referred to as rhizobacteria. Bacteria live in soil water, including the film of moisture surrounding soil particles, and some are able to swim ...

See also:

Soil life, Soil life - Overview, Soil life - Bacteria, Soil life - Nitrification, Soil life - Nitrogen fixation, Soil life - Denitrification, Soil life - Actinobacteria, Soil life - Fungi, Soil life - Mycorrhizae

Read more here: » Soil life: Encyclopedia II - Soil life - Bacteria

The majority of food crops prefer a neutral or slightly acidic soil. Some plants however prefer more acidic (e.g., potatoes, strawberries) or alkaline (brassicas) conditions. During the acidification process the decrease in pH result in a release of positively charged ions (cations) from the cation exchange surfaces (organic matter & clay minerals). In the short term acidification thus increases the concentration of potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca)) in soil solution. Once the cation exchange surface has become deple ...

See also:

Soil pH, Soil pH - Nutrient availability in relation to soil pH, Soil pH - Soils and acidity, Soil pH - Soil life and pH, Soil pH - pH and plant diseases, Soil pH - Determining pH, Soil pH - Altering soil pH

Read more here: » Soil pH: Encyclopedia II - Soil pH - Nutrient availability in relation to soil pH

The soil represents the surface layer, of the earth's crust, resulting from the transformation of the bare rock, enriched by organic input. At the beginning of a soil formation, only the bare rock outcrops. It is gradually colonized by pioneer species (lichens and mosses), then herbaceous vegetation, shrubs and finally forest. In parallel a first humus-bearing horizon is formed (the A horizon), followed by some mineral horizons (B horizons). Each successive stage is characterized by a certain ...

See also:

Soils retrogression and degradation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Soil evolution cycle, Soils retrogression and degradation - Ecological factors influencing soil formation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Biorhexistasy theory, Soils retrogression and degradation - Perturbations of the balance of a soil, Soils retrogression and degradation - Influence of human activity, Soils retrogression and degradation - Consequences of soil regression and degradation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Soil enhancement and rebuilding

Read more here: » Soils retrogression and degradation: Encyclopedia II - Soils retrogression and degradation - Soil evolution cycle

A gram of garden soil can contain around one million fungi, such as yeasts and moulds. Fungi have no chlorophyll, and are not able to photosynthesise; besides, they can't use atmospheric carbon dioxide as a source of carbon, therefore they are chemo-heterotrophic, meaning that, like animals, they require a chemical source of energy rather than being able to use light as an energy source, as well as organic substrates to get ...

See also:

Soil life, Soil life - Overview, Soil life - Bacteria, Soil life - Nitrification, Soil life - Nitrogen fixation, Soil life - Denitrification, Soil life - Actinobacteria, Soil life - Fungi, Soil life - Mycorrhizae

Read more here: » Soil life: Encyclopedia II - Soil life - Fungi

When the state of balance, characterized by the ecosystem climax is reached, it tends to be maintained stable in the course of time. The vegetation installed on the ground provides the humus and ensures the ascending circulation of the matters. It protects the ground from erosion by playing the role of barrier (for example, protection from water and wind). Plants can also reduce erosion by binding the particles of the ground to their roots. A disturbance of climax will cause retrogression, but, if given the opportunity, nature will ma ...

See also:

Soils retrogression and degradation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Soil evolution cycle, Soils retrogression and degradation - Ecological factors influencing soil formation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Biorhexistasy theory, Soils retrogression and degradation - Perturbations of the balance of a soil, Soils retrogression and degradation - Influence of human activity, Soils retrogression and degradation - Consequences of soil regression and degradation, Soils retrogression and degradation - Soil enhancement and rebuilding

Read more here: » Soils retrogression and degradation: Encyclopedia II - Soils retrogression and degradation - Perturbations of the balance of a soil