Lesson 57: Soil: Its Type

and Characteristics
Prepared by:
Maria Rosalia B. Apostol
What can you see?
 GROUP ACTIVITY
• Divide the class into 3 groups
• Each group will be given a set of soil sample.
• Using the pair of gloves each group got a chance to observe
each soil some
• Write your observations on the table given to you
Guide Questions:
• What common characteristics did you observe on your samples?
• Do the samples have the same color, texture, and odor? Why do
you think so?
• What do you think is the type of soil that you observed?
• Define soil in your own words.
Group Presentation
SOIL
• Soil covers most of the land part of the earth. You find
plants, animals, houses and other organisms on the soil.

• We live on the soil and it helps us in many ways.

• Different types of soil have different physical

characteristics. Each soil type differs in color, texture,
odor and its ability to hold water. Some soils are good
for planting while others are not.
 Different Types of Soil:

1.Clay - Particles are packed together tightly. This

soil has very good water storage qualities and
making hard for moisture and air to penetrate into it.
It is very sticky to the touch when wet, but smooth
when dried.
Clay is the densest and heaviest type of soil which
do not drain well or provide space for plant roots to
flourish.
• 2.Loam - It is a mixture of sand and clay. It
contains large amount of decaying plants and
animals. It has a fine texture.

• For instance, it has the ability to retain moisture

and nutrients, hence, it is more suitable for
farming. This soil is also referred to as
an agricultural soil.
• 3.Sand Soil - Particles are coarse and loose. It
consists of small particles of weathered rock.

• Sandy soils are one of the poorest types of soil for

growing plants because it has very low nutrients
and poor in holding water, which makes it hard for
the plant’s roots to absorb water.

• This type of soil is very good for the drainage

system.
 Layers of Soil
• The Topsoil (A- Horizon)

• Is the uppermost layer of

the soil. This layer is rich
with organic materials
called humus and with
minerals needed for plant
growth,
Humus

Humus comes from decaying

plants and animals. The soil's
dark color is an indication of
the presence of humus.
The Sub-soil (B-Horizon)
• Located just below the
topsoil. It is composed of
loosely arranged rocks,
sand, and clay.

• This layer is very rich

with minerals that drain
from topsoil. When the
topsoil is washed out, the
subsoil alone cannot
support plant life.
The Parent Rock (C-Horizon)
• composed of rocks that
are slowly breaking
apart. It is exposed to
very little weathering, It
does not contain
necessary nutrients and
water needed for plant
growth.
The Bedrock (D-Horizon)
• the lowest of the soil
layers. It is made up of
undisturbed large
boulders and gravel.

• This layer contains

materials good for
constructing buildings and
making roads.

• No plant life can survive in

this layer.
Get your note book and answer it quietly