Oxisols- are group of clay minerals and are intensively weathered soils of the

tropical and subtropical regions. They are conquered by low activity minerals
and are stirred by iron compounds which make these soils resistance to erosion.
“Oxisols have indistinct horizons and are also resistance to compaction so water
moves freely through the profile”, (S591.B79-2007 pg 112). The ability to
preserve addition of fertilizer and lime is limited. Land surfaces that maintain its
immovability for long period of time typically occur to be oxisols that do not
contract or swell and are physically stable on slopes.

Spodosols- are soils found in moist to wet areas with coarse textured deposits.
Formed from weathering processes under forest vegetation Spodosols are not
naturally fertile. They are structure less clay where intensive acid leaching is the
principal soil forming process. (S591.B79-2007pg 110).

Ultisols- are highly weathered and acidic soils found in humid areas. Ultisols
are formed from intensive weathering and leaching processes therefore are close
to red in colour showing evidence of accretion of oxides and iron. Most of the
nutrients are resolute because these soils are classically acidic and are only
prolific when sufficient levels of fertilizer and lime is applied. Generally
Ultisols respond to good management practices.

Vertisols- these soils are typically shaped from lime stones and other mineral
rich parent material. Vertisols are generally found in semiarid to warm
environments and has relatively high content of escalating clay materials.
Therefore have high content of clay which gives the soils a dark to blackish
colour not essentially indicative of high organic matter content.

Gelisols- are juvenile soils with modest profile developments and show
evidence of permafrost layer and cryoturbation. Gelisols showing evidence of
cryoturbation are called Turbels. (S591.B79-2007pg96). The places where
gelisols are mostly found are in the high latitudes or at high elevations.
QUESTION THREE

Describe the three major soil separates including the size limit for each
according to the USDA and ISSS systems?

SOLUTION

The three major soil separates are sand, silt and clay.

Sand- feels rough and gritty between fingers and the particles are observable to
our naked eyes. It is composed mostly with weathering grains of quarts and has
large soil separates. Therefore the pore spaces are generally large from where
water drains out and promotes the entry of air into the soil. This is one the
reason most of the farmers mix their soil with sand which structures the soil
aeration and soil penetration. The grains of the soil do not stick to one another.
According to the USDA and ISSS the size limit of sand is 0.05-2.00 mm.

Silt- feels smooth, silky or even powdery to the touch. The silt grains do not
stick to one another and the particles of silt is much smaller which allows more
water to be retained. Thus silt can be measured as one of the best soils separate
as it holds vast quantity of water in the form plants can use. The particles of silt
are invisible to our naked eyes as they are small. The size limit of soil separate
silt is 0.05-0.002 mm according to the USDA and ISSS systems.

Clay- feels sticky when rubbed between fingers and the spaces among the pores
are small allowing a reduced amount of or dawdling movement of water and air.
The size of clay particles are less than 0.002 mm according to the USDA and
ISSS thus clay has a great surface area allowing incredible capacity to adsorb
water and other substances. Chemicals reactions among weathered minerals are
the direct result of the formation of clay which holds more plant nutrients than
any other soil separate. The grains of clay stick to one another.
QUESTION FOUR

Discuss your understanding of the geologic time scale. Explain how your home
country was formed geologically?

SOLUTION
QUESTION FIVE

Describe the four major components of the soil and draw a pie chart showing
their relative percentage in the soil?

SOLUTION

The four major components of the soil are inorganic matter, organic matter,
water and air.

Inorganic matter-
QUESTION SIX

List and describe the five essential factors that are required for plant growth?

SOLUTION

The five essential factors that are required for plant growth are: water, air, light
energy, oxygen and temperature.

Water-