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    Soil Structure, Crust and Pan Notes

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    Thapelo Jeremiah
    The document discusses soil structure, with a focus on crumb structure which is important for farmers. It also discusses capping, which is when a hard crust forms on the soil surface reducing water infiltration, and can be prevented by keeping the soil covered. The document additionally covers soil pans, which are hard layers that form from repeated cultivation at the same depth, and soil temperature, noting the importance of moderate temperatures for plant growth.

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    Soil Structure, Crust and Pan Notes

    Uploaded by

    Thapelo Jeremiah
    8 views3 pages
    The document discusses soil structure, with a focus on crumb structure which is important for farmers. It also discusses capping, which is when a hard crust forms on the soil surface reducing water infiltration, and can be prevented by keeping the soil covered. The document additionally covers soil pans, which are hard layers that form from repeated cultivation at the same depth, and soil temperature, noting the importance of moderate temperatures for plant growth.

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    The document discusses soil structure, with a focus on crumb structure which is important for farmers. It also discusses capping, which is when a hard crust forms on the soil surface reducing water infiltration, and can be prevented by keeping the soil covered. The document additionally covers soil pans, which are hard layers that form from repeated cultivation at the same depth, and soil temperature, noting the importance of moderate temperatures for plant growth.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    8 views3 pages

    Soil Structure, Crust and Pan Notes

    Uploaded by

    Thapelo Jeremiah
    The document discusses soil structure, with a focus on crumb structure which is important for farmers. It also discusses capping, which is when a hard crust forms on the soil surface reducing water infiltration, and can be prevented by keeping the soil covered. The document additionally covers soil pans, which are hard layers that form from repeated cultivation at the same depth, and soil temperature, noting the importance of moderate temperatures for plant growth.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    SOIL STRUCTURE

    - It is the way soil particles are arranged relative to each other in the soil
    - It is the arrangement of particles in the soil
    - It is the way soil particles are grouped or arranged in the soil.
    Examples of soil structures are:
    - Single grain structure
    - Columnar structure
    - Blocky structure
    - Crumb structure
    - Prismatic structure
    - Platy structure
    - Granular structure
    Crumb structure
    The most importance soil structure to the farmer is the crumb structure. Soil particles are
    grouped together into small, rounded aggregates due to the binding effect of humus. The soil is
    porous as there are pores between the small crumbs. As a result, the soil is well aerated, well
    drained and allows easy infiltration of water. The crumb structure results in high germination
    percentages because the soil supplies oxygen (it is aerated), moisture (has a high water holding
    and retention capacity) and is warm (due to absorption of heat due to the dark colour of
    humus).

    Capping

    When vegetation is removed, heavy raindrops splash on the bare soil crumbs and break them
    up into individual particles. The particles occupy the air spaces in the surface layer of the soil. A
    hard, impermeable layer or crust forms on the surface. This process whereby a hard crust forms
    on the soil surface is called capping. Capping can also be caused by frequent use of heavy
    machinery. Machines such as tractors press down on the soil and compact it. Overstocking in a
    paddock can also cause compaction. When a hard crust forms on the soil surface, water
    infiltration into the soil is reduced. This causes most of the water to flow downslope as run-off,
    causing soil erosion. Seedling emergence becomes difficult, with some seedlings dying without
    coming out of the soil. Formation of the hard crust can be prevented by keeping the soil surface
    covered with some vegetation like grass. The application of organic manure can also reduce
    chances of capping.

    Soil pan

    A soil pan is a hard layer that forms deep into the soil. It is caused by ploughing or cultivating
    at the same depth every season. The hard pan is impermeable, reduces drainage and causes
    the surface layers of soil to become waterlogged. Deep-rooted crops will have the growth of
    their roots restricted. Formation of a soil pan can be prevented by cultivating at different
    depths in different seasons. If the hard pan is already formed, it can be broken by using a
    ripper. If cultivation was always shallow and a hard pan is formed, deep cultivation can help to
    break the pan.

    Soil temperature

    It is important to make sure that soil temperature does not become too high or too low. When
    it becomes very cold on the soil surface, frost will form and this will cause frost bite of
    seedlings. This results in the scotching of the seedling leaves and they die in the process. When
    soil temperature is too high, roots of seedlings, which are near the soil surface, become
    damaged. The soil on the surface dries up, causing death of seedlings. The soil should always be
    warm so that root respiration can occur at a fast rate. The decomposition of organic matter
    will also occur at a fast rate, releasing a lot of nutrients. Soil is kept warm by applying organic
    matter in the form of organic fertilizers. The dark colour of humus will cause the soil to absorb a
    lot of heat from the sun. Mulching also helps to raise soil temperature Organic matter helps to
    moderate soil temperature as it makes sure that there is always moisture in the soil by reducing
    water loss through transpiration. The presence of moisture, which is a poor conductor,
    moderates absorption and loss of heat. When it is too hot, frequent irrigation can help to cool
    down the soil. Shading of newly transplanted seedlings can also help to moderate temperature

    Loss of humus from the soil

    - Humus is a form of organic matter which remains after original plant tissues have been
    broken down. It is resistant to further decomposition by soil microbes. It is lost from the
    soil through oxidation (reaction with oxygen). The humus is oxidized and the oxides that
    are formed volatilize. This means that loss of humus is by a combination of oxidation
    and volatilization.

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