Problem 8

Soil is the surface layer of the earth’s crust formed by breaking down rocks, minerals, and organic compounds over a period of time. Soil is the medium of survival and growth for plants, it is one of the major factors that determine the vegetation of a region. Hence it becomes important to study the soil quality for the cultivation of crops.

Soil quality is the capacity of soil to support life, and contribute to maintaining biodiversity, it depends on factors such as chemical composition, presence of living organisms, topography, climate, and even history of the soil such as soil formation and agricultural practices.