(a) Define soil
(b) Outline three characteristics of the following soil types: (i) Sandy soil; (ii) Clay
(c) Highlight four ways in which soil is important
Explanation
(a) Define soil Soil can be defined as the thin surface of the uppermost layer of the earth’s crust on which plants grow.
(b) CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL
(i) Sandy soilThe characteristics are as follows:
(a) It is coarse
(b) Cannot hold water
(c) Has large pore spaces
(d) Well aerated
(e) Not sticky when wet
(f) Loosely packed
(g) Does not support plant growth
(h) Brownish in colour
(i) Rains/ particles range between 0.2 — 0.02mm
(j) Gritty
(k) Acidic in nature
(ii) Clayey soil The characteristics are as follows:
(a) Sticky when wet
(b) Usually waterlogged
(c) Fine grained texture
(d) impermeable
(e) poorly aerated
(f) tiny pore spaces
(g) poor drainage
(h) Cracks when dry
(i) Dark in colour
(c) Highlight ways in which soil is important
(1) Provision of minerals
(2) It supports vegetation growth
(3) It is used for pottery e.g clay
(4) Storage of plant nutrients
(5) Anchor the roots of plants firmly to the ground
(6) It is used for construction of buildings, roads etc
(7) Reservoir for water and air for plants’ use
(8) Agriculture
(9) Home for organisms