Soil phases: what it consists of and descriptions of the 4 main ones, the impact on plants

Soil is a natural heterogeneous body, which has a complex structure. It includes a number of components. There are several phases of the soil, each of which has certain characteristics. Their ratios differ depending on the type of soil. Different proportions are also possible, taking into account the soil horizon of the same land.

What phases does the soil consist of

There are several constituents of the soil, each of which has certain features and characteristics.

Hard

This ground phase includes the following components:

• mineral part - it accounts for 90-99.5%;
• organic - is 0.5-10%.

The mineral part is understood as fragments or fragments of primary rocks and minerals. Secondary substances also enter the soil structure. These include newly formed minerals, s alts, oxides and other elements that are formed during weathering and soil formation. Mineral components include all ash substances.

The organic part is the remains of plant and animal microorganisms. Also, the structure of these elements includes products of decomposition and neosynthesis. The main part among them is humus.

Almost 93% of the solid phase of the earth are: oxygen, aluminum, iron and silicon.4.6% are calcium and potassium, and 2.5% are the remaining components. At the same time, nitrogen is present only in the completely organic part, while oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and carbon are present in both mineral and organic components.

Liquid

This phase is also called soil solution. It is a solution that includes minerals and gaseous substances that are soluble in water. This phase is considered the most active and dynamic. From it, plants absorb useful elements well and interact with top dressings and ameliorants.

The composition of the soil solution contains cations and anions. It also contains water-soluble organic substances and gases. The entry of ions into the soil solution is carried out from the solid and gaseous phases, fertilizing, ameliorants.

S alt content in soil solution is affected by characteristics, soil type, mineral composition, climate, degree of salinity.S alt levels may vary. It ranges from thousandths to hundredths of a percent in soils with low fertility and more than a percent in highly saline and medium-fertile soil types.

Gas-like

This phase is the result of the interaction of atmospheric air and gases that are produced in the ground. It contains more carbon dioxide than atmospheric air. This figure is 0.3-1% or even 2-3%. At the same time, the soil is characterized by a lower amount of oxygen.

This soil element is considered more mobile. Moreover, many conditions influence this - the amount of the organic component, climate, vegetation features and many other factors.

With a sufficient level of oxygen in the soil, favorable conditions are created for the activity of aerobic microorganisms. At the same time, its deficiency is favorable for anaerobic bacteria, which are considered pathogenic for plants.

The amount of soil air is in dynamic equilibrium with the liquid phase. The more water it contains, the less air it contains. Gas exchange in the soil structure occurs constantly due to the decomposition of organic substances, microorganisms, respiration of the root system of plants. It is also affected by individual chemical reactions.

As a result of gas exchange, the above-ground air is enriched with carbon dioxide, which provokes an improvement in the conditions of photosynthesis. When a substance interacts with water, a slight acidification of the soil solution is observed.

As a result, individual minerals of the solid phase are converted into a form available to plants. At the same time, an excess amount of carbon dioxide provokes an oxygen deficiency and leads to the appearance of anaerobic conditions. This is due to excessive moisture and soil compaction.

Oxygen deficiency in the composition of the soil leads to a h alt in the growth and development of microorganisms, disrupts the absorption of nutrients.

Live

It is also called soil biota. It includes the organisms that inhabit the soil. These include bacteria, fungi, algae, worms, protozoa. All these elements have a significant impact on the development of cultures.

Influence of phases on plants

All soil phases closely interact with each other, forming a single bio-inert system - soil. The most favorable proportions between solid, liquid and gaseous elements are 50:35:15% of the total soil volume. Soil phases closely interact with each other and have a significant impact on the development of cultivated plants.

Soil phases are considered important parameters to consider when doing agriculture. To grow plants successfully, it is important to take into account the ratio of the various components.

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