Soil minerals serve as both sources and sinks of essential plant nutrients. As primary minerals that originally formed at high temperatures and pressures in igneous and metamorphic rocks are weathered in soils, they release plant nutrients into the soil solution.

The critical soil functions influencing productivity within any soil are those that provide physical support, a rooting medium with plant-available water, air for respiration, and essential nutrients. Humankind can also have a tremendous impact on soil productivity through its effects on the dynamic soil properties.

Plant growth and development largely depend on the combination and concentration of mineral nutrients available in the soil. Symptoms of nutrient deficiency may include stunted growth, death of plant tissue, or yellowing of the leaves caused by a reduced production of chlorophyll, a pigment needed for photosynthesis.

Key functions: Just as people need calcium in their diets for strong teeth and bones, plants need the mineral to build sturdy cell walls and healthy root systems. Calcium also helps transport other nutrients from the roots to the leaves and flowers.

The three main minerals that plants need for their steady growth and development are NPK, i.e. nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). They need a balanced supply of these along with basic nutrients (carbon, hydrogen and oxygen) that they receive from air and water.

parent rock

Now one of the most important functions of minerals in soil is the assistance it provides to plant life. Plants need a number of minerals for a healthy life and growth. These minerals are absorbed from the soil via the roots of the plants and trees. The two most important a plant needs are nitrate and magnesium.

The particles that make up soil are categorized into three groups by size – sand, silt, and clay. Sand particles are the largest and clay particles the smallest. Most soils are a combination of the three.

Soil is composed of both biotic—living and once-living things, like plants and insects—and abiotic materials—nonliving factors, like minerals, water, and air. Soil contains air, water, and minerals as well as plant and animal matter, both living and dead. These soil components fall into two categories.

Soil Types

• Sandy soil. Sandy Soil is light, warm, dry and tend to be acidic and low in nutrients.
• Clay Soil. Clay Soil is a heavy soil type that benefits from high nutrients.
• Silt Soil. Silt Soil is a light and moisture retentive soil type with a high fertility rating.
• Peat Soil.
• Chalk Soil.
• Loam Soil.

loam

Soil pH. Soil pH is perhaps the single most important aspect of soil chemistry, because it affects the availability of nutrients to plants and the activity of microorganisms in the soil.

Healthy, high-quality soil has

• Good soil tilth.
• Sufficient depth.
• Sufficient, but not excessive, nutrient supply.
• Small population of plant pathogens and insect pests.
• Good soil drainage.
• Large population of beneficial organisms.
• Low weed pressure.
• No chemicals or toxins that may harm the crop.